11 BIG LIES of THE INDUSTRY

@jeffrey said:

whereas audiologists are masters of the universe

Well I’m sure some of them probably think that,(maybe even you) but getting back on topic, it’s the heath care industry as a whole and the manufacturers running a cartel, I’m sorry but you simply don’t know what your talking about.

@jeffrey said:

Even as a humble engineer, are you ready to build your own HA?

Say what? You think if you can’t make it then you gotta pay whatever is asked, this is called profiteering,well then that’s just stupid, again you don’t know what your talking about here.

@jeffrey said:

You can program one that’s already been designed, engineered and manufactured for you.

Well this statement says a lot about where your trying to come from, there’s nothing wrong with doing this.

@jeffrey said:

I can’t, and I have no interest in that.

So don’t be sour about it, it’s not for everyone, some of us do very well programming our own, some don’t.

@jeffrey said:

I’m just a humble retired bookseller who doesn’t like trying to cobble together all the equipment needed

Mate this statement is just another also-ran, the software is free, a programming device is like $180, easily available from eBay, that’s all you need.

@jeffrey said:

then go on and learn how to program a hearing aid,

Come on, it’s easy, even a humble bookseller could do it if they really wanted, one thing I’ve learnt is not to be intimidated by technology!

@jeffrey said:

with the hours and hours of learning that would take

But…your retired, plenty of time on your hands, but hey I get it you just can’t be bothered, so no need to try and knock others.

@jeffrey said:

It’s worth it to me to pay someone more for my aids up front in order to get free service for the life of my aids.

Your kidding me right?so you really think you get “free” service…for life
At your age I would think that you would have learnt, that “nothing” is free in this world, everything has a price, everything!

@jeffrey said:

I don’t work on my car either. sure, I could fork out thousands to acquire the tools for that, and learn how to work on an engine…or not!

So don’t knock others that do!

Honestly your whole reply just makes no sense at all, it’s just sope bubbles.

I’m positive that your on the wrong forum and thread…looking for Reddit or maybe FB?

@jeffrey said:

My guess is that most engineers make far more than most audiologists

Haha your guessing again, none of your statements hold water sorry.

@jeffrey said:

I’ve found that most people are decent and can be truste

Hold up something possibly true! it’s like a rollercoaster we’re on.

@jeffrey said:

There’s a mood abroad that suggests everyone’s just on the make and deserves to be bashed. I find that disturbing and wrong. so I stand up to present a realistic version of things.

hahhahahah ayeeeee that was the boss talking, hahahaha

I tell you what, you post your own topic on how good and wonderful the hearing care industry is with all that “free” service and all, and I’ll happily move forward with you there…mate

@mr.smithster said:

And any audi that does except Medicare would lose money on every patient and then have to make it up on us cash paying customers.

Lose money? Hardly. They would be paid a fair amount as they are for other services. Yes, probably they wouldn’t pay for top of the line aids, but would provide a way for many more people to be able to wear them and to hear better. I have a friend in the UK who wears hearing aids and the National Healthservice provides her with an Oticon aid that works adequately and at no cost. It is a basic digital aid with many of the bells and whistles removed, but it allows her to hear in noisy environments.

Tenkan, as a humble engineer, you’re no different from the audis you despise, in that you too are caught up in a profit making economy. Try looking in a mirror (and even trying to see other people’s point of view) before pointing that accusing finger…back at yourself.

You have only sarcasm for people who don’t approach life like you. It’s a big ol’ world, Tinkan. Cynicism is bottomless. Careful that you don’t drown on one of your dives into misery.

This is all pointless, I’ve already forgotten your point in all this.

Marry Xmas

@mr.smithster said:

Most Dr’s won’t even except Medicare patients because the payments are so low.

An assertion not backed up by facts. I have never been turned away because I have traditional Medicare insurance.

Here’s a fact for you - I’m an audiologist and all of my three younger brothers work with computers and/or are engineers. Two make more than I do and one makes about as much, but is 9 years younger than me. They all have bachelor degrees and I have an AuD.

I have been watching this post since it was first posted with much amusement.

I wonder has anyone posting here changed their mind on the subject based on all the comments?

Yes your correct, I’ve gone off topic a bit, I think that’s where the OP needs to understand, that in most cases it’s the cartel that’s driving prices and availability/regulations with a powerful lobby group, political interference, so the whole industry is out of alignment…but oh well OTC is not far off, this is going to force some changes out there for sure!

Yes, I dislike the cartel even more now. Certainly seems like the audiology clinics are stuck between a rock and a hard place!

Like in any successful industry all the players require a piece of the pie.

In Canada, the average audiologist salary is a bit less than the average engineer salary. I imagine that’s also true in the states.

(If you want to take things in a different direction/stir the pot, the average optometrist–a traditionally male dominated field–in the states makes about 40k more than the average audiologist–a traditionally female dominated field. )

@jeffrey said:

Isn’t your whole complaint that people are making more than they should

Nope, not quite, it’s the profiteering, big difference between them.

@jeffrey said:

In other words, this whole thread was kicked off as being about “someone else getting a bit more or less than you”.

Nope, for me it’s about the profiteering, I don’t believe you should live or die on how much money you have, or the HAs or hip replacement that you need, so this is the point that you have missed.

@jeffrey said:

but doctors and nurses and audiologists should work for free, or peanuts

That’s just stupid, no one but you has stated they should work for peanuts or free!

@jeffrey said:

Well, actually, engineers should too!

@jeffrey said:

Cheap engineers could really help drive down costs.

We have OTC to thank for this, prices will be a 1/4 of what those that are profiteering from.

@jeffrey said:

Cry me a river, but you should take a pay cut out of the goodness of your own heart, mate!

Don’t worry, we won’t go hungry this year.

@jeffrey said:

Somewhere, there’s an “11 big lies of the engineering industry” thread.

It’s right here, but unfortunately you don’t actually understand it!

@jeffrey said:

Maybe excess profits have been taken. What else is new?)

Yes,for as long as time, but nothing wrong with trying to do something about it right?
Remember healthcare is life or death for some people, building bridges/the tallest buildings etc… isn’t

Now those big petroleum cartels… don’t get me started, we’ll need our post for this.

@jeffrey said:

And even there, it’s difficult to really assess what’s in the best interests of the consumer

So true, but we all know what’s fair or not right?

@jeffrey said:

“cartels” in the HA industry is a big word. I really don’t know enough to comment.

I wish you hadn’t written this, because you do actually, right here on this thread.

@jeffrey said:

I like my aids very much!!

I like mine even more, in fact they are the best thing since sliced bread, so we do have something in common…mate

@tenkan said:

I don’t believe you should live or die on how much money you have, or the HAs or hip replacement that you need

I absolutely agree with this. Hurrah for socialized medicine.

@elminero said:

Like in any successful industry all the players require a piece of the pie.

Except in this instance, everyone who touches the aids grows the pie to get a bigger piece.