With Mother’s Day just a few weeks ago and Father’s Day quickly approaching, I am so glad my parents were so supportive (insistent) of higher education. It was not an option…I was going to college. They also taught me that if you are going to do something, do it right. I carried that lesson throughout my studies, while working for others and especially in my own practice. At Hearing Solutions of North Carolina, we strive to follow “best practices”.
We talk about best practice, but what is it? “Best practice is a method or technique that has been generally accepted as superior to any alternatives because it produces results that are superior to those achieved by other means or because it has become a standard way of doing things, e.g., a standard way of complying with legal or ethical requirements.”
The American Academy of Audiology (AAA) has developed best practice when working with adults. This includes, but is not limited to, the case history, the diagnostic evaluation (Functional Hearing Assessment: ear-to-brain testing), development of a treatment plan (choosing the best hearing devices based on individual needs), confirmation that the hearing devices are working within manufacturer’s specifications, fitting the hearing devices to include real ear measurements (in the ear canal measurements to confirm soft sounds are audible and loud sounds are not too loud), post fitting care to include aural rehabilitation.
As part of our commitment to following best practice procedures, we are now a proud member of Best Practice Pro Network; launched by Dr. Cliff Olson, audiologist and founder of Applied Hearing Solutions in Phoenix, Arizona. The Dr. Cliff AuD network includes a select group of audiologists who believe in the Best Practice approach to audiological care. Olson and the Dr. Cliff AuD Network hand picks audiologists from across the country who meet the standards of his proven methods and those developed by AAA.
So you can see, properly providing hearing healthcare is not ordering a product online or picking up an amplifier off the Walmart shelf. Keep in mind that not all hearing healthcare providers follow best practice procedures. It is time to ask questions, do your research. For additional information I recommend you subscribe to YouTube channel Dr. Cliff, AuD.
Have you heard?…This month, Bose announced that they are discontinuing the sale of their SoundControl direct-to-consumer self-fitting hearing aid. They thought it would be easy and profitable to sell hearing aids to individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. They found out that was not the case and had to lay off 2,000 employees.
Have you heard?…Hearing enhancement device developer and distributor Noopl has announced it is suspending the sales and marketing of its device. Launched at CES 2021, Noopl was a small $199 hearing accessory that clipped onto the bottom of an iPhone. Utilizing a 3-microphone beamforming array with the unique head-tracking technology built into Apple Airpods Pro, it was designed to enhance speech while reducing background noise.
Have you heard?…Some hearing healthcare locations are directly supported or owned by a hearing aid manufacturer? Sometimes it is not as obvious as Beltone or Miracle Ear. If you go to Beltone you will be fit with Beltone hearing aids. However, that may not be the best hearing solution for your needs. A privately owned location such as Hearing Solutions of North Carolina can order from anyone (except Beltone or Miracle Ear) to provide the best solution for your needs. Keep that in mind when choosing your hearing healthcare provider.
Have you heard?…Many hearing aids are locked. That means they can only be programmed at the locations where you purchased them. If you invested in Miracle Ear hearing devices, you have to go to a Miracle Ear location. We are unable to reprogram or service your devices if you are having trouble. The same goes for Beltone, Costco, HearingLife, etc. Again, be sure you understand what you are investing in. Our hearing devices are not locked. If you are on vacation and need help you can go to any private practice audiology clinic for help.
Ready to start your journey to better hearing with a group of providers that provide best practice person-centered care? Give Jamie or Diane a call at 704-633-0023 to schedule your appointment today. Jane, Cheryl and I look forward to seeing you soon.