To capture the experiences of receiving or delivering hearing services in Australia, Deafness Forum Australia invited users and providers of hearing services to complete an in-depth survey.
The results of this survey uncovered a disconnect between consumer expectations and their experiences with hearing services.
Consumers’ comments illustrate their views on the differences between audiometry and audiology providers:
- I was not aware of audiometrists
- It would be helpful to clearly explain the roles of audiologists and audiometrists
- Clear identification of healthcare professionals is important for transparency.
Survey respondents who were providers of hearing care services (mostly audiologists), including business owners, raised potential concerns about the delivery of hearing services by those who are not audiologists:
- It’s important for healthcare professionals to use accurate titles that reflect their qualifications and training. Clear titles help ensure transparency and trust with the public.
- Patients with complex conditions like tinnitus benefit from specialised care. Clear referral guidelines can help ensure they receive the appropriate level of expertise.
- Defining the scope of practice for audiologists and audiometrists can help clarify roles and responsibilities. Additionally, providing pathways for professional development can support career advancement and improve patient care.
Threshold of Meaningful Change
The current self-regulation system for audiologists and audiometrists in Australia reveals a complex and potentially problematic landscape of professional oversight.
Hearing services in Australia currently operate under a patchwork of partial regulations and self-governing bodies. The industry is a complex ecosystem involving multiple stakeholders, each with their own interests and perspectives. The views of our constituents are that the current self-regulating model is not up to the task.
A key finding of the Deafness Forum Australia survey was the support by both consumers and providers for regulating audiologists to align with other healthcare professionals.
But as one survey respondent noted, “There’s a lot of money in hearing aids, and some players in the industry might not want to see that change.”
Deafness Forum Australia and industry body, Independent Audiologists Australia believe that establishing a unified, independent national standard for audiologists and audiometrists, reinforced by strong governance, can help empower users of hearing services to make informed decisions about their hearing health care.
Independent regulation presents a unique opportunity for positive change. By aligning the interests of those seeking and delivering care, there’s potential to create a more transparent, effective, and trusted hearing services sector. We are dedicated to working collaboratively with all stakeholders, ensuring these improvements are made together.
We encourage individual audiologists and audiometrists to ensure that their perspectives are heard.