[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]More than 40 million Americans suffer from some form of hearing loss. Hearing aids can help relieve the consequences of hearing loss and help significantly increase quality of life for those with this condition.
If you are over the age of 55, your mailbox, inbox, Google and Facebook are inundating you with ads for the latest “life changing” hearing aids. Or perhaps
you have been invited to participate in a “field trial”, or take a “30-day challenge” of the latest digital high definition hearing technology? You might even hear that your spouse or loved one will triple their risk of dementia if they are NOT fitted with new hearing aids…NOW! Some well-known retailers use “loss leaders” as a “bait and switch” technique in their advertisements to lure unsuspecting prospects into their “retail” locations. Finally, we are recently seeing a significant increase of low cost online discounters who claim that their hearing aid (amplifier) is “as good as” more expensive hearing aids at significantly reduced prices.
Current advertising for hearing aids and amplifiers are often used to generate interest and sales by preying on those with legitimate concerns about their hearing. The abundance of misinformation and false claims seems to be worsening as hearing aids become more popular.
“The vast difference in qualifications and motivations between different hearing care providers pose risk to individuals looking to overcome hearing difficulties.”
“A transactional, salesmanship or commoditized approach to selling hearing aids is inappropriate and not in a hearing-impaired patient’s best interest.”
“The typical medical model is simply not designed for optimal hearing rehabilitation, patient care and the investment of time necessary for most patients to become successful with hearing aids.”
“Internet and Mail Order hearing aids have the least amount of professional involvement of any method of hearing aid acquisition.”
“Third Party Administrators and “Preferred Hearing Networks” many times are actually detrimental to the provision of quality care for the hearing-impaired patient.”
“The most appropriate and successful method of obtaining hearing aids is through a licensed, private practice Doctor of Audiology.”
Hearing aid consumers will usually find leading Doctors of Audiology in a private practice setting dedicated to true aural rehabilitation and audiology best practices. Don’t settle for less: seek out an independent Doctor of Audiology who has the educational qualifications, experience, compassion and commitment to the hearing-impaired patients that she/he serves.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
