About Us
There are many reasons for trusting our team with your hearing health. Unlike most clinics throughout Australia, we are not owned or aligned to a hearing aid manufacturer. Therefore, you can be assured that we will always offer independent advice and discuss the full range of solutions that are best suited to your needs – including hearing aids from ALL leading manufacturers.
With clinics throughout Melbourne, as well as Albury-Wodonga, Hearing Professionals are now Australia’s largest independent hearing care provider. We differ from other hearing care providers in a number…
Join our team
Apply and develop your clinical expertise and client care within Victoria’s leading independent hearing care organisation.
Partners & Links
Being completely independant, Hearing Professionals’ audiologists are trained and experienced in objectively determine make and model suitable for clients from the complete range of all the world’s leading hearing aid manufacturers, such as those listed below. Simply click on a logo to be taken to the hearing aid manufacturer’s Australian website.
We Are Different
With clinics throughout Melbourne, Geelong and Albury-Wodonga, Hearing Professionals are now Australia’s largest independent hearing care provider. We differ from other hearing care providers in a number of ways:
- We are independent, in that we are not owned by a hearing aid manufacturer
- No sales commissions
- Excellent customer service
- Highest training and staff qualifications
- Freedom of choice
- Advanced equipment and testing facilities
- More affordable hearing care
- Twelve locations in ‘bricks and mortar’ clinics
- We do not have ‘partner clinics’. All listed clinics are owned, operated and staffed by Hearing Professionals which meet our high standards and the requirements of the Office of Hearing Services (Commonwealth Government).
We can understand that hearing aids are a considerable investment and that TRUST is an extremely important consideration. Having been in business since 1997, we remain focused on optimal client outcomes, coupled with reliable and readily accessible aftercare service.
We do not pay our staff sales commissions, and as a result we pass these savings onto our clients. Other advantages include:
- Pay in clinic on day of fitting. No upfront payments over the internet.
- Visit our clinic and meet the audiologist before proceeding
- A ‘no-fuss’ 30 day money back guarantee (less $350 administration fee)
Successful fittings rely equally on the following:
- The hearing aids themselves
- The expertise, trust and service of your hearing care professional, which is the key to ensure that the technology is programmed to best suit your individual needs
Hearing aids are medical devices, rather than consumer electronics devices. Therefore, there it takes time and rehabilitation for the user to become familiar once again to auditory stimulation. It can take time to ensure the best fit this often requires more than one review follow-up appointment.
At Hearing Professionals, we are here for the long term to assist our clients in the best way possible over many years through their hearing journey. Our primary business is to rehabilitate hearing – not just sell hearing aids. For this reason we may recommend a full aural rehabilitation program.
To discuss this in more detail please contact us to make an appointment.
Why is independence so important?
Quite simply, independence equals freedom of choice.
Many clients who visit other hearing care providers in Melbourne and country Victoria are not aware that foreign hearing aid manufacturers now own the vast majority of clinics. Over the last 10 years, manufacturers have either bought out or squeezed out independent and other family-owned practices in Melbourne, as a way of securing distribution channels for their own line of hearing aids.
Given the rapid development of hearing aid technology in recent years, no one manufacturer takes the lead in any specific range of technology for very long. For this reason, only independent hearing care companies are able to ensure that you will be informed of today’s best available solution.
We simply advise you of your options from the complete range of all the world’s leading hearing aid manufacturers. So, what clinics are subsidiaries of foreign-owned hearing aid manufacturers and organisations?
Hearing Life
Adelaide Digital Hearing Solutions
Western Hearing Services
Carter Hearing
Bernafon
SONIC
Triton Hearing
Hearing Planet
Unitron
Bay Audiology (NZ)
Bernafon
SONIC
While in other industries and professions this can create greater efficiencies, this has not led to cheaper hearing aids at all. It has however been to the detriment of hearing care and consumer choice. Hearing Professionals is independently owned from any of the hearing aid manufacturers. This means that we offer all leading brands of hearing aids for the best client outcome.
William Demant Holdings
Denmark
- Audioclinic
- Hearing Life
- Adelaide Digital Hearing Solutions
- Western Hearing Services
- Carter Hearing
- Oticon
- Bernafon
- SONIC
Sonova
Switzerland
- Connect Hearing!
- Triton Hearing
- Hearing Planet
- Phonak
- Unitron
Widex
Denmark
- Bloom Hearing
- Widex
Amplifon
Attune Hearing
Italy
- National Hearing Care
- Bay Audiology (NZ)
Starkey
USA
- iHear
- Starkey
While in other industries and professions this can create greater efficiencies, this has not led to cheaper hearing aids at all. It has however been to the detriment of hearing care and consumer choice. Hearing Professionals is independently owned from any of the hearing aid manufacturers. This means that we offer all leading brands of hearing aids for the best client outcome.
No sales commissions
As logic dictates, audiologists and audiometrists within manufacturer owned clinics are strongly urged to prescribe the devices of one manufacturer regardless of the individual needs of the client. After all, their company will makes more money selling their own range of devices.
Their audiologists typically earn much more commission on the company range (the carrot). Additionally, their performance is measured on percentages of company products fitted (the stick).
As stated by the ABC Radio National investigation “Have I got a Hearing aid for you!” some clinics pay sales commissions to their audiologists. More information can be found here.
In contrast, at Hearing Professionals we do NOT pay commissions to staff on hearing aid sales at all. We feel this could encourage staff to not take a holistic approach to hearing care – including identifying other measures for improving a client’s hearing and lifestyle such as cerumen removal (earwax), neuromonics (tinnitus treatments), Cochlear Implants and Auditory Rehabilition (counselling).
Excellent customer service
We are a family-owned business and we believe in providing ‘good old fashioned’ service. Our team is trained to provide the best customer service possible, and we are continually striving to improve our customer service.
Hearing Professionals does not believe that optimal customer service can be attained by having ‘visiting’ sites (sites where an audiologist is only present on site minimum 1 half day per month). Hearing Professionals have NO visiting sites and all of our Melbourne-based and Wodonga sites are permanent.
This means that we open for business everyday for hearing tests, on the spot aid repairs, maintenance and battery dispensing and you have greater access to our Audiologists.
Advanced equipment and testing facilities
All of our sites have soundproof booths. Competitor visiting sites, in general, do not use soundproof booths to conduct hearing tests. We know that best results can only be achieved by using the best equipment and we will not take short cuts and compromise on quality.
Highest levels of staff training and certification
Our Melbourne clinics employ both Audiometrists and Audiologists.
An Audiometrist requires a Certificate of Audiometry (less than 1 year of part time study), and is typically focused on the evaluation of hearing loss and hearing aids as an intervention. Audiologists, however, have a Masters degree in Audiology (or equivalent), which translates to 5 years full time study covering all aspects related to medical auditory health care.
By employing both, we offer a broader evaluation and rehabilitation offering which is not just focused on an aided solution. Where an aided solution is appropriate our enhanced fitting expertise is more beneficial to our clients.
Our referral sources do not have a financial interest in our business
A significant number of audiology clinics are actually owned by Ear Nose and Throat Specialists (ENT’s), so that the ENT’s refer patients to these clinics where they have a financial interest. Our referral sources assess us entirely on our expertise and experience. Would you go to a financial adviser referred by your bank, if you knew the referring bank owned them? Examples of ENT owned audiology clinics include Attune Hearing, Neurosensory and Victorian Hearing.
Join our team
Careers At Hearing Professionals
With clinics throughout Melbourne, as well as Albury-Wodonga, Hearing Professionals are now Australia’s largest independent hearing care provider. We differ from other hearing care providers in a number of ways:
Apply and develop your clinical expertise and client care within Victoria’s leading independent hearing care organisation.
- Diverse case loads
- Excellent clinics
- Excellent remuneration
- State-of-the-art equipment
- No visiting clinics
- Independent provider
At Hearing Professionals, we believe that optimal levels of hearing care begin with being able to assess each client’s specific needs through great diagnostic skills. The clinician must then apply a thorough knowledge of the full range of hearing treatments and solutions available today.
Furthermore, your skills will be enhanced through experience gained in managing diverse case-loads. You will enjoy a good mix of private clients, OHS clients, and children, along with regular workers’ compensation and rehabilitation cases.
In order to expect our audiologists to manage such diverse caseloads, we share responsibility for their ongoing training and development. Subsequently, we cover the costs of staff to attend ASA conferences and the regular training provided through hearing aid manufacturers and other sources.
While the fitting of hearing aids is important, you will also work with a wider range of treatments for hearing loss, including medical solutions. We have close relationships with a network of referring General Practitioners and Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists. They trust in the clinical skills of our audiologists and their ability to perform high-end diagnostics such as CAPD Auditory Processing, which assists with the medical assessment and treatment of their patients.
Finally, we also remunerate our audiologists in line with their high clinical standards and product knowledge – above normal industry rates.
Hearing Professionals are always on the look out for new members of staff to join our team. Currently, we have one position available – A full time Audiologist for our Wodonga Clinic. To arrange a confidential discussion regarding opportunities available for you in our team, please contact us!
We also place a huge value on the contribution of our clinic Customer Service Staff, as they are the friendly face and voice that first greets our clients. They are also vitally important to delivering the client experience that we need to promote.
To apply for a Customer Service role in one of our clinics, please Apply now here!
Our clinics are warm and friendly – more akin to a local family medical clinic than the heavily retail environments that are becoming increasingly prevalent in our profession. In addition, we prefer our clients are seen in these environments and have not gone down the “visiting clinic” path for this very reason.
Partners & Links
Hearing Professionals would like to make note of the following important industry bodies, suppliers and service partners.
Being completely independent, Hearing Professionals’ audiologists are trained and experienced in objectively determine make and model suitable for clients from the complete range of all the world’s leading hearing aid manufacturers, such as those listed below. Simply click on a logo to be taken to the hearing aid manufacturer’s Australian website.
Industries
Audiology Australia
Our audiologists are members of this professional organisation. ASA Membership requires evidence of a Master’s of Audiology degree (or equivalent) with a major in Audiology. ASA members have agreed to practice audiology in accordance with the ASA Code of Ethics and Professional Standards of Practice.
Independent Audiologists Australia
Independent Audiologists Australia promote the best possible care for clients and the maintenance of trust between audiologists, clients and the community at large. Their mission of Independent Audiologists Australia Inc (IAA) is to promote and support clinical practices owned by Audiologists.
Learn Fast
Learn Fast helps your children to think faster, focus better, and remember more… which is great news for parents of children with Auditory Process Disorders. Programs such as Fast ForWord and Cogmed are: Web based, at home; provide instant feedback after every training session; developed by neuroscientists; and are proven by research and used by millions.
COGMED
Cogmed is an evidence-based program for improving attention. It involves a computerized training program designed to improve attention by effectively increasing working memory capacity over a 5-week training period.
Neurotone: Developers of LACE
LACE® (Listening and Communication Enhancement) is a program to help develop skills and strategies to deal with situations when hearing is inadequate. Whether you wear hearing aids, are just acquiring aids, or simply wish to improve your listening skills, LACE training will help you get the most out of the sounds of life.
Oricom: Phones and assistive listening products
Oricom is supply and support the best phones and assistive equipment for people with hearing impairment. Their goal is to make communication easier and ensures users remain connected to their family and friends. Products include: corded phones; cordless phones; mobile phones; alarm clocks; alerting devices; and accessories.
Better Hearing Australia
Better Hearing Australia is the national organisation for Australians with hearing impairment and the largest independent consumer association for these people in the country. It is a not-for-profit, self-help organisation run by members and provides Australia wide community support and help to everyone in the community.
Word of Mouth Technology
Word of Mouth Technology are now the leading supplier of assistive devices for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in Australia. They pride themselves on sourcing great products from around the world, testing and approving all products before offering them for sale to our clients.
Australian Communication Exchange
ACE provides the relay service component of the National Relay Service (NRS) under a contract with the Commonwealth. They deliver on their belief that people who are Deaf, communication or hearing impaired will have access to all forms of communication of their choice.
Telstra Disability Services
Telstra is committed to making communication accessible and affordable for all our customers with communication challenges, including older customers and customers with a disability. They provide solutions for people who: have difficulty hearing the phone ring; difficulty hearing speech on the phone; and a range of other health issues.
Australian Government Hearing Services Program
The Office of Hearing Services administer a government program that provides free hearing tests and hearing aids to pensioners and veterans, which are available through accredited providers such as Hearing Professionals.