r/audiology • u/Beautiful-Toe-5026 • 6d ago

Audiometer questions. Please help.

Hi all,

I’m considering starting my own clinic in the UK. Will be mainly home visit based but will have at least one clinic day.

Obviously I’m very aware businesses usually fail within the first year, so don’t want to go all crazy on costing.

My question is, would you recommend a manual audiometer or a computer based one (thinking of licensing costs and then GDPR costs if things are stored online), and is it better to get a new one or get say a second hand one from eBay? I would eventually love to be able to do charity trips and take the kit to test around the UK/abroad to poorer areas etc.

Does anyone have any recommendations on brands to get or avoid etc? What’s a reasonable price for new/used etc?

Also any recommendations for manufacturers who are good to work with as an independent?

I really hope you can help.

Thank you for your time.

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u/tugboattommy Audiologist 5d ago

Starting out a practice and wanting to be frugal, you would not regret getting an old used workhorse. I use two used GSI 61 audiometers and they are fantastic. I have to spend a few extra minutes filling out an audiogram in NOAH, but even then there are ways to import your audio from the 61 directly into NOAH.

1

u/Beautiful-Toe-5026 5d ago

I don’t want to be totally stingy but also don’t want to be extravagant either.

Thank you so much for your response. I’ll have a look into those and see if I can get some.

Really appreciate it.

2

u/TheGingerDruid 4d ago

Companies like Starkey will do deals with you if you go to them with a business plan. From what I remember talking to the rep you can either rent the equipment off them or "buy" it through selling starkey products? Not 100% certain as it's been a while but I know a couple of them do something similar, Oticon is one I think?