Attendees at a recent Hearing Business Alliance (HBA) seminar on strategies for business success gained valuable insight into the business side of the hearing industry nationally and globally.
Twenty-six people representing 21 independent audiology businesses attended the event on 31 July 2024 at Mercure Perth, including business owners from the eastern states.
Ms Jane MacDonald, HBA chief executive officer, said the agenda focused on business-related topics and feedback from attendees was positive.
Dr Brent Edwards PhD, director of the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) gave an update on global industry trends enhancing audiology practice and Dr Bec Bennett, NAL senior research audiologist, spoke about enhancing audiology practice and navigating the digital frontier.
Ms Clare Hewat, independent chair of The Ethics Review Committees for Audiology Australia and ACAud incorporating HAASA (the Australian College of Audiology incorporating the Hearing Aid Audiology Society of Australia), discussed changes to the committee.
Ms Stacey Tonkin, Aon partnership and growth manager, health and professionals, updated on industry insurance mitigation risk while HBA business manager Mr Stephen Logan discussed changes in the hearing industry in Australia.
MacDonald presented the findings from a recent Hearing Services Program (HSP) survey on proposed changes to the HSP Schedule of Service Items and Fees, and updates on compliance reminders were also presented.
Assistant secretary in the Department of Health and Aged Care with responsibility for the Hearing Services Program, Mr Chris Carlile, gave an update from the HSP.
“The value for government in engaging with HBA is that we can connect directly through Jane MacDonald to hearing businesses that deliver the HSP all over Australia,” he said.
“‘It is preferable for government to deal with one person representing so many businesses, rather than trying to talk with each, and every, business owner – we just wouldn’t be able to do it.”
He said he appreciated the important role she had played in representing the interests of HBA members to government.
“I listen to any concerns Jane raises on behalf of members, as well as seeking her counsel as a considered and reasoned voice in the hearing sector,” he said.
The HBA HearingUp network
Delegates also heard about HBA’s partnership with American audiologist Dr Cliff Olson and his HearingUp network to “promote audiologists and audiometrists who adhere to a measured standard of excellent client care.”
Independent small business owners of audiology or audiometry practices in Australia who are members of HBA can join. So far, more than 35 clinics have joined the network.
“It is a one-stop site to help (consumers) find an independent hearing care professional whose clinic follows comprehensive best practices,” HBA says.
Dr Olson, a former US marine, is an audiologist with hearing loss and one of the world’s best-known audiologists with 330,000 subscribers due to consumer-focused education videos he produces on youtube.
