# Italian hearing aid market lacks transparency, regulator says
Author: Pal sinha, Barnali
Author URL: https://startupobserver.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali/
Published: 2024-04-09
Category: Headlines
Category URL: https://startupobserver.com/category/headlines/
Meta Title: Italian hearing aid market lacks transparency, regulator says
Meta Description: Italian hearing aid market dominated by Amplifon lacks transparency in pricing and services, says competition authority. Consumers struggle to find clear information on devices and related services.
URL: https://startupobserver.com/italian-hearing-aid-market-lacks-transparency-regulator-says/

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ROME (Reuters) – The retail market for hearing aids in Italy – dominated by domestic player Amplifon – lacks transparency on pricing and services offered, the country’s competition [authority](https://startupobserver.com/ubs-faces-big-penalty-over-credit-suisses-archegos-failings-ft/) said on Tuesday.

The Italian [competition](https://startupobserver.com/french-competition-authority-confirms-investigation-into-nvidia/) authority (AGCM) flagged the issue to parliament, the health and economy ministries and other national and regional bodies at the end of an investigation it initiated in September.

“Consumers struggle to obtain clear information, both on technical aspects and on the price of (hearing) devices and related services, which are usually sold combined and without any distinction,” the AGCM said in a statement.

The antitrust regulator also detected problems with the procedures regulating the purchase of hearing aids by the national health service, and suggested a recourse to public tenders or vouchers for patients to boost [competition.](https://startupobserver.com/french-competition-authority-confirms-investigation-into-nvidia/)

Shares in [Amplifon](https://startupobserver.com/italian-hearing-aid-maker-amplifon-expects-higher-2023-earnings/) are down 4% at 0812 GMT following AGCM’s statement.

(Reporting by Alvise Armellini, editing by Cristina Carlevaro)


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