VIRTUAL HEARING HEALTH CARE COMING SOON

VIRTUAL HEARING HEALTH CARE comingsoon

Thanks to technological advances in connectivity and virtualization, healthcare providers are increasingly turning to virtual appointments so they can provide care and advice remotely. The hearing aid industry is no exception. In fact, you’ll soon be able to see your audioprosthetist for advice, adjustments, and follow-ups… all without going to the clinic! This will be incredibly beneficial in these uncertain times.

An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient’s needs.

Advantages of Virtual Appointments

For hearing aid wearers, virtual appointments will represent an advantageous option, particularly for snowbirds and people who live far from a clinic, have reduced mobility, or have a busy schedule. They will allow patients to consult their audioprosthetists from anywhere! What’s more, they will help limit the costs of travelling to the clinic. Virtual appointments will also provide the audioprosthetist access to the patient’s actual listening environments. Some patients have difficulty describing their listening environment; virtual appointments will be a unique opportunity for the audioprosthetist to not only gain access to the patient’s actual situation, but perform adjustments in real time. This practical, user-friendly solution will make hearing aid appointments more flexible and efficient, saving time for audioprosthetist and patient alike. Offering this service will also show that the clinic is able to adapt to meet patients’ needs, which will improve overall patient satisfaction.

How Does It Work?

Audioprosthetists will soon be offering virtual appointments through their hearing aid programming software. The audioprosthetist will schedule an appointment with the patient, who will join the video meeting through an application previously downloaded on their smartphone or tablet. The patient will wear a device around their neck, provided beforehand, which will be paired with the mobile application previously downloaded. This device will allow the audioprosthetist to connect the hearing aids to the programming software to make adjustments. Note that this solution will require a fast, stable Internet connection, as well as an understanding of videoconferencing apps like Skype or FaceTime. Once the audioprosthetist has adjusted the hearing aids, they will end the virtual appointment. The patient will then exit the app and continue about their day.

Contact your audioprosthetist to learn more about virtual appointments.

Janic Lauriault

Audiologist Technical Support