Course Description: Recently, much has been written about disruptive technology, such as over-the-counter hearing aids and other self-fitting devices. Besides describing how these new hearing devices work, this presentation will provide an implementable clinical strategy involving the use of these disruptive technologies to expand the market for audiology services. After outlining the emerging pathways to hearing care and how they fit into the traditional pathways, we will examine underserved populations and how they can be better served through new pathways with an emphasis on unbundled service provisions. Due to the convergence of several forces, including technological innovation and a rapidly aging population, the way audiology is currently practiced is likely to change rather dramatically over the next decade. Using published data and expert opinion, we will discuss what hearing care professionals can do over the next 2 to 5 years to be better positioned to deliver high-quality, cost-effective care to a broader array of adults with communicatively significant hearing loss.

Learning Objectives:

1. How to create a revenue-generating model for a clinic that uses unbundled service packages, including the use of pricing tiers and calculation of revenue per hour
2. How to provide stand-alone counseling-based service provisions, including hearing loss self-management skills training that could be offered to PHL who have purchased devices sold OTC.
3. How to equip a practice with non-custom amplifiers that can be dispensed to traditionally underserved sub-categories of persons with hearing loss (PHL), including those who are ambivalent about using traditional hearing aids; this discussion will include information on how to select high-quality products for re-sale and the demonstration and triaging process; case studies will be used to illustrate key points.