Preserving the Role of the Audiologist in a Clinical Technology, Consumer Channel, Clinical Service Model of Hearing Healthcare

Abstract

The past decade has been characterized by significant changes in the distribution and sale of hearing aids. Alternatives to the clinical technology, clinical channel, clinical service (i.e., traditional) hearing healthcare delivery model have been driven by growth in hearing aid dispensaries housed in large retail establishments and direct-to-consumer hearing aid sales by internet-based companies unaffiliated with major hearing aid manufacturers (e.g., Eargo). These developments have been accompanied by acceleration in the growth of teleaudiology services as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The resulting development of nontraditional hearing aid distribution and sales models can be categorized into distinct archetypes as reviewed earlier in this publication. This article will review the Clinical Technology–Consumer Channel–Clinical Service model as exemplified by Jabra Enhance. We will describe a completely digital model of hearing aid distribution and sales that maintains the professional service component throughout the client journey to include an online tone test, the use of a risk mitigation questionnaire, virtual consultations, remote hearing aid adjustments, and the establishment and monitoring of client-centered treatment goals. Furthermore, this article will review the Jabra Enhance model within the context of consumer healthcare decision-making theory with a focus on the Consumer Decision-Making Model.

The Hearing Test App for Android Devices: Distinctive Features of Pure-Tone Audiometry Performed on Mobile Devices

“…Mobile devices can be used for self-monitoring of hearing in various conditions, including Meniere’s disease, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, as well as for hearing screening of oneself or other household members, hearing monitoring as part of a telemedicine consultation, or for online hearing aid retailing. 11 , 12 , 26 , 42 , 47 Mobile audiometry can be useful in settings with limited access to professional equipment, for preliminary assessment before visiting a physician, screening tests at schools or workplaces, hearing tests at speech-language pathologists, when qualifying for or undergoing therapy for auditory processing disorders using Neuroflow, Johanasen, Tomatis, and other similar methods. 2 , 4 , 8 , 13 Mobile audiometry may be also beneficial in other situations where the purchase of a clinical audiometer is not economically viable and the accuracy offered by mobile audiometry is sufficient.…”

Exploring Hearing Care Technology from Clinic to Capability

“…24 26 Over the last decade, this has allowed devices to be purchased online and shipped to the user already set up for the client's hearing loss. 27 28 Alternatively, some hearing aids and hearables can generate sounds to measure their user's hearing loss directly, and then generate a first fit based on these in situ measurements. This is achieved via a remote session, where a clinician controls the devices via an internet connection, or independently of a clinician where device users test their own hearing via a smartphone software application.…”

“…The established practice of self-fit hearing aids (e.g., Blamey Saunders hears) and direct-to-consumer (DTC) service models (e.g., Lively) show that outcomes need not be compromised compared with traditional clinic-based services. 27 31 Instead, these models serve as a reminder that we must proactively keep learning to ensure that all online models, for hearing aids and hearables alike, can maintain the highest quality of care and support to ensure that outcomes and needs are met.…”

“…Online models of hearing care and device provision have adopted flexibility in their support provision to their own success. 27 28 Hearables are not typically offered with service models that are comprehensive as hearing aid support service models. It can be argued, however, that hearables tend to have a greater focus on preemptively addressing support needs compared with hearing aid provision that historically adopts a reactive approach to support needs for the consumer.…”