Are You Getting The Proper Care?

There is a growing trend in the current market for manufacturers to purchase hearing clinics and enter into the retail environment, directly owning and operating hearing aid clinics.  Manufacturers within the last couple years have become increasingly aggressive at purchasing independent clinics to gain market share and protect their distribution channels.  Manufacturer owned clinics promote the sale of their single brand of hearing aid which may or may not be the hearing aid that is most appropriate for you.  Typically, these clinics do not advertise their allegiance to this one brand.  Further, some manufacturers have attempted to hide their names by purchasing clinics through holding companies with a different name or maintaining the names of the private clinics after purchase.

While most manufacturers offer a wide array of hearing aids to suit most hearing losses, the above scenario does not ensure that a consumer will be provided with what is best for their hearing and can taint the clinics employees’ judgement in provision of hearing aids.

Independently owned clinics typically offer a variety of products and manufacturers, and are not forced or encouraged to sell product from one manufacturer. Choice is a critical component when treating hearing loss.  Therefore, it may be in the best interest of the consumer to purchase products from an independent hearing healthcare provider.  Manufacturers that own clinics do have some great products, however they do not have solutions for every individual that walks through our doors.  Employees of these conglomerations can be restricted and the freedom of choice may not, and probably will not be there.  Ultimately, this leaves the patient uniformed with respect to choice of technologies available from other manufacturers.

Hearing loss and treatment is highly personal and unique between individuals, and there is no “cookie cutter” solution for individuals with hearing loss.  Having a wide array of products and solutions at a clinician’s disposal is essential in the proper provision of hearing healthcare.

Our clinic is independent, and because of this, we deal with several manufacturers to ensure that each patient that is fit with the appropriate hearing aids.  Unlike many clinics, the Advanced Group of Clinics is privately owned and operated by Rodney Taylor, Doctor of Audiology, who is highly trained in the science of hearing and balance. At the Advanced Group of Hearing Clinics, our clinicians approach to the provision of hearing aids is highly motivated by evidence-based practice.

It is important for consumers to ask questions when they go to a hearing clinic such as:

Are you manufacturer owned?  Does a holding company for a manufacturer own the clinic?

Are you independently owned?

Do you carry several lines of hearing instruments?

If you don’t carry the products from several manufacturers, would you be willing to send me         to someone with the proper instruments?

Remember, it is your hearing and with proper guidance from your provider, it should be your choice.