How to Choose a Hearing Clinic

Hearing clinics are usually profit-making businesses like any other store, but some hearing clinics:

• Encourage clinicians to sell more expensive hearing aids by setting sales targets and other performance measures

• Pay clinicians commissions and other incentives for selling hearing aids

• Have arrangements that favour certain brands or types of hearing aids

• Are owned by companies that manufacture hearing aids.

• Are owned by large overseas companies, you should ask!

• Choose a clinic rather than a shop

These factors could influence the price, type, and brand of hearing aid that a clinician recommends to you. Don’t feel pressured into purchasing a more expensive hearing aid unless you are satisfied that you need it and be sure to ask lots of questions. Take a family member with you.

Always get a second opinion, it could save you a large amount of money. Get written quotes so that you can compare apples with apples. Do not be afraid to walk out if you feel pressured. Most expensive is not always the best, take the time to develop a proper rehabilitation plan with your clinician. ALWAYS have a trial period. Choose independent and Australian owned, in the long run it will be better for you and the country.

Lisa Burley is the Senior Clinician at Hear4Good, an Independent and Australian owned hearing clinic in Golden Beach. www.hear4good.com.au

5/56 Landsborough Parade, Golden Beach. Ph 54770144