What is the difference between an independently owned office and a private label and/or franchise?

Every office that dispenses hearing aids, whether an independently owned business or an office attached to an Ear, Nose, and Throat clinic, to a private label within a local business or a nationally recognized franchise (sometimes hidden by a local name) will vary in overall operation and intention.

Since many patients ask about these differences and how it impacts their success with hearing aids, here we share a generalization and basic overview of office types.

Independently owned offices value individuality and understand that one size does not fit all. Independently owned offices have the freedom to provide true customization because instead of just one hearing aid brand, they can openly work with several or ALL hearing aid brands. By offering a wide range of options, you are not limited as a consumer. Focusing on your overall healthcare, independently owned offices typically employ university and medically trained audiologists, build genuine relationships with patients and provide superior follow up care. With independently owned offices, decisions regarding your hearing aids are about you, and made in your best interest.

Hearing aid franchises and private labels, whether a local business or nationally recognized name, are restricted to providing only one hearing aid brand. Franchises and privately labeled devices are “locked” not allowing anyone else to access the settings. Franchises typically hire sales people or hearing aid dispensers, have their employees focus on monthly quotas and sales, and advertise a particular product or pricing. If you purchase a private label from a local business and eventually move outside the state, your privately labeled device does not allow anyone else to assist you. If you purchase from a franchise and grow unhappy with your service you are unable to transfer your care outside of that franchise, in many cases requiring you to purchase new hearing aids elsewhere.

While some franchises (private labels) have the support of their sister franchise locations throughout the country, independent offices also have the ability to assist you should you move or have issues while on vacation. Hearing aid manufacturers offered by independently owned offices are internationally recognized and used in offices all throughout the world, making it possible to receive assistance in the extremely rare case you experience a problem while traveling. Additionally, if you purchased hearing aids from an independently owned office you may be able to easily transfer your care and follow-up services to another independently owned office, without having to buy new devices.

To better ensure your long-term satisfaction with hearing aids, it is also highly recommended that you shop for value in a healthcare provider in combination with determining which office type you’d like a relationship.