Finally, allow me a genuine, non-cynical question: are audiologists typically paid commissions from HA manufacturers on aids that they sell? I haven’t asked my audiologist, because I don’t want to sound suspicious (and I’m relatively happy with his advice), but what’s the general practice?
Hmmm…allow me to shed some light without stepping on any toes.
There are several different situations in which audis and dispensers operate, so it does depend on who you see. I cant speak for dispensers, because i have never operated in a private hearing aid practice, but its safe to assume that they pay for the hearing aids (as any professional does) and then marks up the price to reflect costs they incur for fitting and servicing the aids. This cost can include many things such as payroll, office rent, equipment, etc… just like ANY business!
I work in an ENT practice and the process is the same. The difference is that the Audiologists here are salaried employees and so prices and mark ups are set by the practice owners. Since the practice is funded by their money, the profit goes to them.
When commissions are paid by some practices, it is derived from the cushion of profit. Our owners receive no commission from the hearing aid manufacturer. It is illegal in the US for hearing aid manufacturers to offer us “perks” to sell their aids, and our license would be revoked by the state board in which we practice in if we were caught accepting any gifts. That doesn’t mean that some manufacturers dont offer better prices than others…
Like I said, I can only speak for my experience. But something to remember is that what we do is, in fact, a business. Practice owners cannot sell the hearing aids for a price which doesn’t cover their costs or allow them to make themselves a salary - ANY business is this way, including any medical or health related office. How much the owner decides to mark up the aids is up to them, which is why you see prices vary so much.
Feel free to commence with the stone throwing.
dr. amy