3 key questions to test how ethical your hearing aid audiologist is

These are the 3 key questions that every person should ask their hearing aid audiologist. The answers to these questions will reveal how ethical and impartial they are. They will also reveal important pieces of information that you should perhaps have already been made aware of. The questions should be asked at the end of the consultation, following their recommendation for hearing aids.

1) Is your company owned wholly or partially by any hearing aid manufacturer? 

Many hearing aid retaillers are owned completely or in part by a manufacturer. This may affect their choice of hearing aids that they have recommended to you. Most hearing aid audiologists/dispensers mention that they can choose from all the top hearing aid companies but is their choice impartial?

2) Can I see your price list?

Most hearing aid retaillers are very reluctant to divulge their prices. Rarely will they publish them online. This may have something to do with the fact that their prices are not competitive or that they actually don't provide the choice of all hearing aids available. By asking this question will also confirm the answer thay gave to queation 1.

3) The hearing aids they have recommended - when were they first made available?

Hearing aids are usually launched every 3 years. Some companies sell older models at greatly reduced prices but they don't always explain the fact they are older technology. If the aid was launched over 2 years ago then ask for something newer.

If you receive an undesirable answer to any of the above questions then you should politely say you would like to think about their offer - then walk away. 

www.Hearingaid.org.uk offer free independent impartial advice about hearing aids. Never buy a hearing aid without speaking to them first