Hearing-Services YOU CAN'T GET Over-The-Counter!

If you have been subscribed to our newsletters for a while now, you have heard us discuss the importance of the professional in hearing healthcare. This message still holds true today and is an important aspect of providing “best practice” care. With OTC products continuing to come out, it has become even more important to help users understand what can and cannot be done without the help from an audiologist. OTC has been a great stepping stone to getting people talking about hearing healthcare. But as with any new product, it can be confusing and hard to navigate the new changes.

In this issue’s article, Dr. Shawna Beasley will talk about the important services that can only be performed in person by a trained professional.

The warning we are sounding is about some of the methods of treating hearing loss that are trying to remove the in-person and relational element. There is a focus in the hearing industry to do things via mail, internet and even telehealth, but there are some key reasons why that often doesn’t provide optimum outcomes.

There is a temptation for people to take shortcuts in treating hearing loss, either to save money or to be more convenient, and there are a lot of companies offering to send ‘customized’ products through the mail. Read on to hear from Dr. Shawna Beasley why true best practices can only be performed in person.

We thank you for your continued support and are always available to answer any questions you may have.

P.S. Did you purchase an OTC product or a hearing aid online? Unsure if they are working properly? Call in the month of July for a free verification of your hearing devices

Over the last several years, we’ve seen a huge shift in how hearing healthcare services are being offered. Some retailers, and even insurance companies, are mailing hearing devices directly to the consumer and then attempting to provide care online through videos and virtual appointments. Additionally, with Over-The-Counter or OTC being approved, we are seeing even more products flooding the market and being sold to every-day consumers.

While these products may have their place, there are still many services being omitted that are crucial to a patient's success with a "hearing treatment" product, that the average consumer may just not know about.

To the average person just looking to correct their hearing, this can seem acceptable. To the online retailers who have read the statistics about the increasing numbers of aging people with hearing loss, it can be tempting, and to the insurance companies who are trying to increase the number of benefits they provide to their customers without bringing on a lot of cost to themselves, it is certainly appealing.
However; what this trend does not take into account is that there is no way to follow best practices in the treatment of hearing loss without having in-person professional care.

The following procedures need to be done in person by a trained professional to ensure that the hearing devices used, regardless of place of purchase, are working to the best of their abilities.

Hearing Evaluation
There is currently no FDA-approved online hearing evaluation available. The current online hearing tests might get you in the ballpark, but cannot determine if you have earwax or any other medically treatable issue.

Wax removal
Since we can’t look in our own ears, and we are not supposed to use anything smaller than our elbow to clean our ears, how on earth do we know if we have wax build up? Earwax can easily distort hearing test results and it is often responsible for plugging up hearing aids and causing them to malfunction. Maintaining clean ears and hearing aids is best done in person.

Appropriate physical fitting of hearing aids
Obviously the physical fit of devices is critical in order to be comfortable, but did you know it can also dramatically affect the acoustics of sound? Fitting the right physical components can only be done in person. Sometimes customized ear molds are necessary and this is impossible to do remotely.

Real Ear Measurements

Many of these companies claim to program the devices to your hearing test before mailing them, but that is rarely enough. The software used to do this calculates averages to estimate what might be appropriate, but is only accurate a small percentage of the time.

The "Gold Standard" for fitting hearing aids to prescription levels is determined by using testing software called Real Ear Measurement. The hearing devices are measured and programmed while in your ears to ensure you are not getting too much or too little amplification across the frequency range.

Sound field verification
You may feel like you hear better with devices in than with them out, but how do you know if it’s enough? Audiologists can perform testing in a sound booth with hearing devices in your ears and simulate how the aids will help you hear in various settings including background noise. From there, adjustments can be made to ensure you are getting the best results you deserve.
In-person care from a well trained audiologist is very important, but this model of hands-off approach is not all bad. Sometimes people are intimidated by the thought of coming to an audiologist and having a recommendation made. These options provide a convenient, anonymous way to determine if amplification could be helpful. We often find that once patients learn that hearing treatment is beneficial, they want to seek the solution that is best for them. These hands-off solutions are often stepping stones to good care.

"Very pleasant staff. Didn't wait at all. Everything was explained extremely well. I absolutely recommend them."
L.S.

"Pleasant staff greeting you upon arrival for appointment. Not having to wait long to have problems solved and out quickly."
C.H.

"First class operation. Friendly and professional staff. Top notch exam and education on hearing issues"
J.B.

"Excellent people and a more thorough exam than I've had before. Highly recommend them!"
R.B.

"Always helpful and pleasant! The doctor makes corrections if needed, Great experience!"
K.O.

" Getting prepared for the fitting and Q&A about the process of getting a cochlear implant was complete and educational experience. Dr. Shawna Beasley was just great. I look forward to working with her especially after the implant is put in and the checking, fine tuning, and exercise needed to make the device work perfect."
T.O.