Hearing aid retailers made false claims to pensioners
The consumer watchdog has delivered a sharp clip over the ear to two hearing aid retailers who made false and misleading claims in advertisements about devices available from a government program.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said Oticon Australia and Sonic Innovations had made the following misrepresentations:
- In order to obtain a free hearing aid pensioners had to book a free hearing test at an AudioClinic or HearingLife hearing clinic before the deadline in the advertisement, when in fact there is no deadline to obtain a fully-subsidised hearing aid under the Hearing Program.
- The free hearing aids included wireless technology that would allow users to connect them to digital devices like televisions and mobile phones, when in fact this technology was not included with the free hearing aid, but instead required additional accessories which were sold separately at an extra cost.
- Any user of the advertised hearing aid would no longer miss any conversations, when in fact this may depend on a person’s individual circumstances and the nature of his or her hearing impairment.
“The AudioClinic and HearingLife advertisements were targeted at pensioners. Consumers who receive hearing aids under the Hearing Program are, on average, aged in their late seventies,” ACCC commissioner Sarah Court said.
The ACCC has commenced proceedings against Oticon and Sonic, alleging both made false and misleading representations to pensioners in advertisements for hearing aids supplied under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program.
The advertisements were published on 85 occasions in newspapers around Australia from June to November 2017 under the AudioClinic and HearingLife brands.
Oticon and Sonic sold more than 10,000 of the advertised Oticon Ria2 and Sonic Cheer20 hearing aids.
The companies have admitted that they made the false representations in the advertisements and agreed to consent orders in the Federal Court, including declarations that they have contravened the Australian Consumer Law.
They have agreed also to make joint submissions in relation to the imposition of penalties totalling $2.5 million and committed to offer refunds to customers who bought additional equipment to use with the advertised hearing aids.
The Federal Court will decide at a later date whether the orders sought, including the proposed penalties, are appropriate.
Were you persuaded to buy one of these hearing aids from the information contained in the advertisement by the so-called deadline? Have you asked for a refund of any extra money you spent on accessories for the hearing aids? Can you recommend a reputable hearing aid retailer?
The problem is with taxpayer funding these hearing aids.
Thats where the rorting starts
Why does a someone on OAP get a free hearing aid while self funded retirees have to pay for one
Everyone has ears - although some dont listen very well