Consumer Advice
A few tips for the consumer when considering purchasing or receiving subsidised hearing services:
- See your local independent clinic first! (or get a second opinion or price from an independent clinic). Most large hearing care chains are owned by international hearing aid manufacturers, which only sell their own brand of hearing device. In comparison, independent clinics dispense all leading brands and provide freedom of choice for the best brand and device available to meet a specific consumer’s needs and budget. Furthermore, the large chains spend more money on aggressive marketing campaigns i.e. telemarketing and mail outs for free hearing tests (which are screens) with the end result that their prices are at least 20% more expensive than independent clinics.
- Hidden Sales Commissions – Most of the major chains pay sales commissions to their Audiometrists and Audiologists and administration staff. Before you purchase ask the question – are they receiving a sales commission. We question the ethics of paying sales commissions.
- Check if the referring source has a financial interest in the hearing aid clinic. A growing number of Audiology hearing aid clinics are actually owned by Ear Nose & Throat Specialists (ENT’s), so that the ENT’s refer patients to these clinics where they have financial interest. We question if this creates the potential for conflict of interest.
- Check with your family and friends who currently wear hearing devices, and seek recommendations for a good Audiologist.
- Check if they are ‘locally owned’ and have a permanent clinic in your area and also can provide back-up service and repairs promptly?
These consumer tips will assist you to identify an Audiologist that will place the interests of the consumer first. After all, Audiologists first entered this profession to provide the best care for individuals whose lives have been limited by the loss of their hearing. Accent Hearing is independently owned and locally operated and was established on this vision for the best care available in their own town.
For further information, chat with your local Audiologist. No referral necessary. Call ACTIV-EARS Audiology on 07 33542200.
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