New patients profiles
For decades, all audiologists have been selling hearing aids in combination with their hearing services as a hearing care professional providing audiological procedures. This “all-inclusive” system is defended by the entire profession as being essential to the satisfaction of hearing impaired. Still, it is currently being baited with the arrival in 2020 of Over-The-Counter hearing aids (OTC Hearing Aid), which will involve the appearance of new patients profiles seeking audiological services only.
Stand-alone audiological acts
Audiologist’s profession is, therefore, on the verge of a profound reform of its sector, obliging it to identify, detail and structure its audiological acts to be able to offer them « à la carte » when necessary. As a reminder, the profession of an audiologist is one that can:
- accurately assess the hearing system
- understand the communication needs of an individual
- determine the effects of this hearing loss
- interpret the results precisely
- advise, choose and sell optimal acoustic solutions
- realize objective and subjective measurements of prosthetic gain
- ensuring the control overtime of the adapted equipment
- monitor hearing progress and compliance
The audiologist does much more than selling hearing aids. He is trained and able to practice numerous other very specifics, recognized and sought-after acts. Moreover, some of its skills will increasingly be exercised remotely via e-audiology.
Bundle or unbundle?
Market figures unanimously show that a small percentage of the hearing impaired are fitted factually. Does this ultimately discredit the historical model which couples audiological services and the sale of hearing aids? What is certain is that new models will appear in audiology, probably in favor of decoupling device sales and services.
Everything indicates that the market will not choose one or the other but the two because there is room for these two models, which in the end are not fundamentally opposed. Let’s be ready for changes in a future where audiology will focus on services dedicated to the hearing impaired via specific audiological acts and mastered by audiologists, the only professionals dedicated to hearing rehabilitation.
