Advertising feature
It was a burning desire to put the needs of patients first and the flexibility of being able to spend time with them that prompted local audiologist Penelope Woods to open her own clinic recently.
Penelope wanted to help people really understand their individual hearing and communication goals and to be able to offer them a solution that suited their needs and budget without compromising on state-of-the-art technology.
She and husband Damien founded Cleveland audiology clinic A Better Ear, which opened earlier this month.
And the couple have designed their clinic as a welcoming and comfortable space offering a friendly, relaxed environment and a cuppa on arrival.
Penelope said A Better Ear was a genuine healthcare provider which does what is right for each individual patient and their personal circumstances.
“Unlike many hearing care providers, we have no sales targets, no commissions and we are not obliged to offer one brand of hearing aid over another,” she said. “We follow the gold standard of clinical care according to the Australian Acoustics laboratory and evidence-based research.”
The clinic has fair-value pricing and devices, offering the best technology, as close to wholesale as possible.
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“Devices that I’ve seen sold for $10,000 - $12,000 a pair elsewhere are available through us for around $6500 a pair; the exact same product. We also offer a complete range of fully subsidised devices for pensioners and DVA card holders.”
Penelope also ensures navigating hearing rehabilitation choices are easier for patients.
“If you’ve ever had to investigate buying a hearing aid, it is a minefield! I’ve really tried to make our pricing of services and hearing aids as transparent as possible.”
Patients know the cost of service, the hearing aids and accessories, and they are made fully aware of their entitlements if eligible under the Government Hearing Services Program.
“To put it really simply, I’ve opened my own clinic to do the right thing by patients.”
A Better Ear provides audiological diagnostics, care, tinnitus counselling, hearing aid fitting and adjustments and hearing diagnostics for school aged children as well as pensioner and DVA subsidies.
All hearing aids sold in Australia are of high quality and are designed to be worn all day, everyday in order to reap the full benefits of aural rehabilitation.
“I help those patients whose aids are not performing to at their best by fitting them correctly. This way they can enjoy connecting with the world again through better hearing.”
Penelope believes consumers should not be exposed to high pressure sales tactics and sold products that are expensive and possibly unnecessary.
“That is simply unacceptable, especially in healthcare where we have a responsibility to the community we serve,” she said. “Increasingly patients are seeking the ethical advice of a fully accredited, independent audiologist. We, along with other independents, offer that alternative.”
Hearing well is important to communicate needs and wants, to connect with loved ones, to understand the world around you and make important life decisions.
“My advice to people would be that if they feel they are not hearing as well as they used to or finding that they are not enjoying social situations, music or entertainment as much as they once did, it’s okay to reach out and ask for help…...our door is always open.”
