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A second opinion on hearing loss – you need professional advice, not a sales pitch An elderly woman with hearing loss came to my clinic for a second opinion, after she had recently been to a hearing aid sales person. I found the cause of her hearing loss was simply the fact that she had build-up of wax in her ears, the salesperson had failed to inspect them. You might be surprised how often this happens!
Recently I was told by two different patients that they were quoted $16,000 for a pair of hearing aids. This seems a ridiculous amount of money to pay and is most likely not appropriate for the majority of people (or possibly anyone).
5. If you are a pensioner or partpensioner, or a DVA gold or white card holder, you should carefully consider if you want to use the Here are some things to free-to-client government do to avoid getting hearing aids or if you’d ripped off: “In an like to top-up to a unregulated market different hearing aid. 1. A visit to the GP may save you there is a lot of opportunity The free-to-client from being ‘sold’ to take advantage of people. hearing aids are something appropriate for many when your only Yes you have read correctly, problem is wax there is no licensing of people people, however if you have great in your ears. who sell hearing aids.” difficulty hearing background noise (for 2. Look for – Dr Vass example in restaurants) someone who is then you might trial the independent and top-up hearing aids, but only can offer you unbiased if you can afford them. There are advice, not just give you a a range of top up options and prices, sales pitch. if you are disappointed after a trial, you should return them and trial the free-to3. There are a range of hearing aid client hearing aids. prices. Finding the right hearing aid might save you money and it will If you get the feeling the person also give you the best chance of you’re dealing with is just trying to success. sell you something, then take a step back and get a second opinion. 4. Hearing aids can be expensive.
Dr William Vass Suite14, John James Medical Centre, 175 Strickland Crescent, Deakin Phone: 02 6282 2717 • Email: williamvass@bigpond.com • Website: drvasshearing.com.au
