I am proud to announce we are Cognitive Hearing Healthcare Providers. We have completed the CogniHear course and successfully passing several module exams. The CogniHear training program is truly like no other! This program connects current research on cognitive and auditory processing pertaining to age-related hearing loss, with clinical application. The result is a better patient experience, improved adoption rates, better management of expectations, improved patient perception of the value of treating hearing loss, a focal shift from hearing aids to auditory rehabilitation. We have already implemented Cognitive screening while revamping several questionnaires, performing a more comprehensive speech in noise testing and loudness tolerance testing in order to provide the best hearing experience to develop a comprehensive hearing rehabilitation plan.

While working with the CogniHear program we were introduced to the Entheos Audiology Cooperative. I was invited to attend the member meeting held in Chicago last month. It was amazing to be in a room of like-minded audiologists who strive to follow best practice audiological care while giving back to local and worldwide communities in need of hearing services.

So what is “Entheos”? Entheos is a noun meaning the loving heart, enthusiasm. Nothing moves our heart like a “hearing smile”: the radiant look of joy that spreads across a patient’s face the first time he or she can hear sound after years of silence. The power of that first connection drives us.

Entheos Audiology Cooperative was founded on the principle that the practice of hearing healthcare is a privilege. They believe in the give as you go model is a tremendous way to serve our patients and community, while achieving the goals of independent practice ownership. They also firmly believe that the key to reinvigorating practitioners is reconnecting them with the meaning of what they do every day and highlighting those efforts in our communities in a new light. At Entheos, their goal is to connect people to greater meaning and allow their talents to shine. They put the focus on people.

A cooperative, or co-op is an organization owned and controlled by the people who use the products and services the business produces. Cooperatives differ from other forms of businesses because they operate more for the benefit of members, rather than to earn profits for investors. Entheos Audiology Cooperative is made up of like-minded audiologists from around the country. They are leaders in their industry who work together to create a better patient experience with best quality of care.

Enthoes is anchored on three fundamental anchors:

Being 100% member-owned means that we buy from ourselves. The benefits of the organization stay with the members as services and dividends. The governance and ownership is dictated by the members and the member-elected board of directors. As our practice benefits from the strength of the cooperative, we retain peace of mind knowing that we always have a voice.
Best Practices lead to the best patient outcomes. When a patient visits an Entheos-member practice, they will know that they are receiving professional and comprehensive care. Entheos members receive industry-specific management consultation and discounts on supplies to support this commitment, raising the bar for patient care.
The give-as-you-go model benefits patients, communities, and the future of hearing health care. The team at Entheos can help me implement a strong, sustainable community-service model. We try to give back to the community as much as we can, but this will allow us to provide more to those in need at home and abroad. The co-op as a whole supports the Circle of Giving model with Hearing The Call efforts.

With a maximum of 99 members, I am pleased and honored to be welcomed to the Entheos Audiology Cooperative as member #80. So what does that mean for the members of our community? Working as an independently owned audiology clinic can be a bit secluded, so having a group of 79 other clinics to work with only improves our knowledge and skills. Also, the collective group of 80 clinics ordering products from suppliers gives us better buying power. Lower prices on supplies mean savings to you. And if you already know us, we are all about giving back…now we can do that more effectively and efficiently. A win-win…all around.

Look to see more information on our involvement with Entheos and our redesigned Functional Hearing Assessments incorporating Cognitive Hearing Science. If you would like more information, give Jamie or Diane a call at 704-633-0023 or visit our website at www.hearingsolutionsofnc.com. Remember to like us on Facebook. Jane, Cheryl and I look forward to seeing you soon.