My second set of hearing aids used a self-programming paradigm. The user was required to match volumes of tones at four frequencies. Yes, a whole four frequencies. I often wondered why not forty? It was my time I was using. Not theirs. It's as though it was more important to set your aids up easily and speedily than optimally.
I'm still hoping that we'll eventually see hearing aids with sophisticated user-adjustment capabilities.
Yep. Or they could develop automated testing booths. I don't think it would be hard to do.
I don't see why Audiologists couldn't do a menu of packages, and charge more per package depending on the complaint and feedback from the patient. This is standard for other types of diagnostics in other industries, where they start with a 30-min broad diagnostic, and determine if a deeper inspection is needed.
For example:
Standard Audiogram - 125 Hz - 8 kHz - 7 Band Diagnostic - Fee: $200
Standard + Extended HF - 125 Hz - 16 kHz - 12 Band Diagnostic - Fee: $400
High Fidelity Audiogram - 125 Hz - 16 kHz - 30 Band Diagnostic - Fee: $800
Custom Assessment - 125 Hz - 16 kHz - Custom Range Detailed (IE: 200 Hz steps between 6 kHz and 8 kHz) - Fee: $1000
This wouldn't be super hard to add to their list of services, and since Audiologists are basically sales people, they can tier-out patients.
So the sales process could be:
- We do the standard test, but it isn't very detailed and don't give you a "personal assessment" of your hearing. But for $X more, we can give you a specific assessment of your hearing.
- For patients with X, Y, Z, issues... because they're more complex, we recommend going right to the High Fidelity or Custom Assessment, so we can see exactly where you'll need treatment.
Maybe Audiologists aren't creative enough to sell it this way. I have met a few doctors in my career, and I can say they mostly lack business creativity.