Service Delivery considerations of direct-to-consumer devices in a new age of rehabilitative hearing healthcare.

ORCiD

Rupa Balachandran: 0000-0002-3072-4427

Department

Audiology

Abstract

The primary catalysts for the creation of the DTC channel in hearing healthcare was a lack of pricing transparency (ie, perceived professional value) and an archaic service delivery model to acquire amplification for consumers. These factors led to the passing of a bill affording the average American with opportunities to improve their long-term hearing healthcare through the early use of amplification, rehabilitation, and consistent and comprehensive hearing care solutions.

While providers might perceive this bill as detrimental to their professional autonomy and livelihood, the intent of this article is to highlight that opportunities to meet the demand of listeners with impaired hearing that exist through the supply of revenue-generating, professional services. These service opportunities, we strongly believe, allow for the preservation of the independent practice channel for those practitioners who understand and recognize the economics of the transformed, and continually evolving, US hearing healthcare environment.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 9-10-2019

Publication Title

Hearing Journal

ISSN

0745-7472

Volume

26

Issue

9

First Page

14

Last Page

18

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