Selecting a hearing care provider in Perth can be difficult. For best outcomes and personalized solutions, it’s important to narrow your search to independent hearing care providers. Here are some tips to help you in your search.
Drawbacks of Non-Independent Hearing Clinics
Some hearing clinics have contractual agreements with hearing aid manufacturers. They receive incentives for favouring hearing products manufactured by particular brands. Some hearing clinics are owned by hearing aid manufacturers. The problem with both these business models is that the customer is limited to certain brands, makes and models. These hearing clinics are less likely to provide objective and unbiased hearing care because their priority is to promote the interests of hearing aid manufacturers. Additionally, such hearing clinics may try to sell more expensive hearing products to meet sales or performance targets.
Benefits of Independent Hearing Care Providers
Independent hearing care providers are under no contractual obligation or pressure to favour a particular brand or product. Their recommendations are not influenced by the style, price or brand of hearing aids for addressing hearing loss problems. Instead, their in-house audiologists take the time to determine the perfect solution. If hearing aids are considered to be an appropriate solution, they make recommendations based on factors such as type of hearing loss, budget, lifestyle, aesthetic preferences of patient and so on. The customer benefits because they have more choice to arrive at better outcomes.
Wide Range of Quality Services
Independent hearing care providers are not inferior to hearing aid manufacturer owned hearing clinics. They usually stock a large range of hearing devices from leading brands such as Siemens, Phonak, Oticon, Unitron, Starkey and others. They provide a wide range of solutions including comprehensive hearing tests conducted by experienced audiologists using the latest equipment. They also offer free trials, custom fitting services, counseling services and ongoing support such as maintenance, repairs, replacements and batteries for hearing devices.
How to Select
If you decide to partner an independent hearing care services provider, do your research and take the time to find a reliable hearing clinic. Think about the hearing problem you would like to address – it could be tinnitus, it could be hearing loss or it could be something else. Look for a government accredited hearing services provider, especially if you are eligible for subsidized hearing services under the Australian government’s Hearing Services Program. Although you can buy hearing aids online, keep in mind the value of purchasing from a reputed independent hearing clinic offering pre and post-sale services.
Once you’re ready, take the first step and make an appointment for a free hearing screening!
