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Australia: Consumer watchdog puts hearing aid industry on notice

By  |  March 2, 2017

This week consumer watchdog warned the hearing aid industry, with a new report raising concerns about patients being ripped off.

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    The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report shows some sales are being driven by commissions rather than the needs of customers.

    “Consumers were telling us that they were being sold products that were expensive and that they ultimately may not have needed,” ACCC commissioner Sarah Court said.

    “These products can be very expensive, they range up to $15,000 for a pair of hearing aids.”

    She said some clinics appeared to be inflating prices, which was partly being driven by commissions of up to 15 per cent which were not disclosed to patients.

    “Some consumers said they paid $10,000 for hearing aids and then found them online for half the price,” she said.

    Full Content: ABC

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