Self-regulated hearing aid market in need of ‘overhaul’, says advocate

Hearing aids can vary dramatically in price. (Image: Getty)

Fri, 10 Nov 2023

The audiology market in New Zealand is “broken” and in need of an “overhaul”, according to a leading hearing loss charity advocate.Dr Lisa Seerup, the president of Hearing NZ and a practising audiologist, has heavily criticised the sector for several unethical practices, including unnecessary upselling and misleading marketing. It comes after Consumer NZ recently called for the Commerce Commission to put the sector “‘on notice”; however, the Commerce Commission has said that it “is not curren...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Wednesday, Aug 13

Can you get them all correct without cheating?

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Markets Analysis

Assessing Spark's datacentre deal with PEP

Could Spark be paying special dividends before the end of the decade?

Pattrick Smellie 5:00am

Assessing Spark's datacentre deal with PEP

Primary Sector

Alliance Group’s next ‘significant hurdle’

If the vote fails, the company’s fate lies with the banks.

Riley Kennedy 5:00am

Alliance Group’s next ‘significant hurdle’

Sponsored

ANZ signals opportunity for landlords as rates ease, confidence lifts

Costs are steadying, leverage is back – and timing is everything.

ANZ

Sponsored

Why NZ businesses lag on solar and the adoption of clean on-site renewable energy

Aussie firms are beating Kiwis in solar use – but that can change.

Lightforce

More Health

Markets

Radius Care upgrades earnings guidance

Radius Residential Care has upgraded its earnings outlook ahead of its annual shareholders’ meeting on Thursday.The listed aged-care specialist said it now expects underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) for the six months to October to...

Staff reporters 07 Aug 2025