About time they did something aobut this industry.

Yes I agree it's about time something is done about these charlatans..some of these people don't know one end of an hearing aid from the other...

So that was 8 months ago. What has happened since?

I have worn hearing aids - hearing devices is what they call them these days - for 40 years, and in that time I have seen considerable changes and improvements in hearing aids.  I have also seen the substantial - nay exhorbitant - cost of many hearing aids. I have also seen the often dubious claims made in advertisements about how good hearing aids are, how they can potentially improve your life.  Yes, and no!  Yes, they do improve your ability to hear, but often at the cost of hearing things you don't want to hear like noisy clanging in the background at a restaurant.  Yes, I know there are different settings that can be used to reduce this.  They work up to a point.  However I am constantly turning the TV volume up and down so I can hear what I want to hear, and not hear those dreadfully loud advertisements or sports segments on the news.  Time that volume was addressed, and time all TV stations provided sub-titles/text on all programs, not just some stations for some programs.  I have had to cease watching programs I want to see because they don't have the text. 

What I haven't seen is an increase in the rebate given by private health insurance providers for aids.  Despite the exhorbitant increase in the cost of aids, the rebate remains pretty much what it was 20 years ago -  how can that be justified?

So there are several areas that need to be addressed - dubious advertising, TV volumes and "inclusivity" by way of texts,, and PHI rebates.  Then perhaps we can all enjoy a quieter world and hear what we want to hear.

Dancer you are spot on, the extra noise is a pain. The supermarket or general shopping is so noisey it is almost impossible to hear your partner or any one talking to you, generally the same at any place where there are other people. If you are unfortunate enough to have hearing aids supplied by the Health Department e.g. government, it would seem that most people in this situation leave them in the draw.

Dancer you are spot on, the extra noise is a pain. The supermarket or general shopping is so noisey it is almost impossible to hear your partner or any one talking to you, generally the same at any place where there are other people. If you are unfortunate enough to have hearing aids supplied by the Health Department e.g. government, it would seem that most people in this situation leave them in the draw.

So can anyone recommend a reputable hearing clinic in Melbourne?  

I need to have a hearing test, but I don't trust anyone at this point.