Audiology Community
Professional Conflict-of-Interest Policy
Draft — not yet approved
Verified professionals and industry participants must disclose conflicts of interest that could influence their forum contributions.
What constitutes a conflict of interest
A conflict of interest exists when a member has a financial, professional, or personal relationship that could influence — or appear to influence — the objectivity of their forum contributions. Examples include: employment by or ownership of a hearing aid manufacturer or distributor; financial relationships with device companies; referral arrangements with other providers; personal relationships with parties being discussed.
Disclosure requirement
Members with a relevant conflict of interest must disclose it clearly in any post where that conflict is relevant. Disclosure should appear at the start of the post.
Verified professionals
Verified Audiologists and Hearing Care Professionals are expected to uphold the ethical standards of their licensing bodies. Participation in the forum does not exempt them from professional obligations.
Enforcement
Undisclosed conflicts of interest that come to the attention of moderators may result in post removal, badge revocation, or account suspension depending on severity.