An ACCC report (March 2017) shone a spotlight on issues regarding the dispensing of hearing aids in Australia revealing that the for-profit government and corporately owned hearing clinics that set sales targets, pay commissions or clinical bonuses based on hearing aid sales and have preferred manufacturer arrangements linked to volume discounts.

Commissions or bonuses contribute to high hearing device costs, create conflicts of interest for clinicians and are not usually transparent to patients or their referring doctors.   Some clinics owned by multinational companies pay commissions to health funds each time one of that fund's members is fitted with a hearing device by that clinic. 

 Q:       As a healthcare practitioner, you may be wondering where to send your patients in light of these common practices?

 A:       Members of Independent Audiologists Australia (IAA) are university qualified audiologists who own their own practices and offer a viable alternative service delivery for Government and private patients.

 IAA Members deliver evidence-based, family-centred audiological care for your patients according to the IAA code of ethics and professional practice.

 Your patients will receive:

•  Independent professional impartial advice
• A comprehensive diagnostic audiological assessment after collecting a comprehensive case history including the otological health, hearing requirements and lifestyle of your patient.
• A clear explanation of all audiological results and provision of a written report to the patient and referring doctor in compliance with the Privacy Act.
• Evidence based rehabilitation plans that may or may not include prescribed hearing devices. 
• Hearing devices prescribed to meet clinical and family needs based on realistic expectations, auditory and cognitive ability within funding and budgetary restrictions.  
• Transparent billing of devices and services.
• Long term care for the impact of hearing and balance disorders for the individual, family and community.
• Defined and transparent relationships with the hearing device industry.