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Hearing Health Professionals

The frontline to better hearing

 Hearing health professionals must serve as the custodian of their client’s hearing and have a duty of care to facilitate a hearing implant assessment as soon as it’s indicated.

With new clinical and technological advances, clients who’ve previously been told that nothing can be done to improve their hearing may now be suitable for a range of hearing implants. This can be possible even with a history of previous ear disease and surgery. Living with inadequate hearing is no longer an acceptable outcome for people who want to hear well.

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When to consider an implantable hearing device?

For hearing health professionals who do not routinely work with implantable hearing devices it can be a daunting task keeping up to date with technology, guidelines, and knowing when an implantable device is the next step. We know first hand the impact of hearing loss on daily life, through our discussions with patients their anecdotal reports are important in identifying potential hearing implant candidates. Common concerns identified through your case history by a patient or their family indicating they may benefit from a hearing implant include;

  • limited benefit with appropriately fitted hearing aids

  • difficulty on the telephone

  • Reliance on visual cues for successful communication

  • Family and friends report that the patient experiences communication difficulties even with the use of amplification

  • Patient has family make appointments for them

  • Patient reports that noise significantly impacts speech perception


The following are check list tools identifying general candidacy guidelines for use in the clinic when an assessment for an implantable hearing device should be considered. While these guidelines are broad, they effectively establish markers when clinicians should begin thinking about discussing implantable hearing devices as an effective option to improve hearing;

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More specific device information can be found here for cochlear implants and here for BCID

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When to an implantable device

AUDIOLOGISTS

Hearing Implants Australia enables independent audiologists to extend their practice and provide implantable hearing devices with their patients. HIA also facilitates a referral pathway for audiologists unable to provide implantable solutions that maintains their patients continuity of care.

For Audiologists
WHY OFFER IMPLANTABLE DEVICE SERVICES?

The landscape of hearing healthcare is constantly evolving at a rapid pace. Many of these changes have seen improvements in patient access to hearing health care earlier in their hearing loss journey. While the typical "road map" has be substantially disrupted by hearables and over the counter or online dispensing, most people still rightly seek the expert care of an audiologist to shape their hearing healthcare. Many of those needing expert care could obtain benefit from an implantable hearing device, however implantable hearing devices are often not considered or even discussed. 

 

Despite having some of the most generous funding options, it is currently estimated that less than 10% of Australian adults who would receive substantial benefit from a cochlear implant are accessing one. As the professionals most frequently supporting people with complex hearing loss we need to be doing better.


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WHY WORK WITH HIA?

Engagement with HIA is not only for clinicians looking to expand their clinical offerings but also for clinicians already providing implantable services and wanting to expand their depth of knowledge. Members of the HIA Professional Network can:

  • Ensure patients get the treatment they need

  • Develop referral pathways with ENT specialists in your area to reach more patients

  • Differentiate your practice in a competitive market by expanding your service offerings

  • Provide continuity of care for your patients

  • Grow your patient list through networking and word of mouth

  • Access business development and services billing support

  • Clinical education for advanced patient care and complex case management

WHO CAN JOIN THE HIA PROFESSIONAL NETWORK?

Any audiologist who has a passion for exceptional patient care, offers a variety of patient solutions, and wants to diversify their practice can become a member of the HIA Professional Network. Contrary to belief, all audiologists can be trained to help patients along their cochlear implant journey. Audiologists already offering implantable solutions are encouraged to join and access advanced case discussions and clinical tool kits. It is important that anyone wanting to join the HIA Professional Network has the following:

  • A desire to offer all hearing solutions - beyond traditional amplification

  • An inherent drive to be the hearing health care expert in their local community

  • Being comfortable working with or learning to work in a medical model

  • Being an accredited audiologist

WHAT TRAINING AND SUPPORT DOES HIA PROVIDE?

HIA provides support for experienced implant clinics and audiologists alike. We are able to provide support across all manufacturers of devices and expand your clinics device offerings. This includes:

  • Candidacy identification & evaluation

  • Device activation, follow up programming and advanced troubleshooting

  • Billing and reimbursement guidelines

  • Ongoing clinical support, practice management resources, and networking events.

HOW DO I JOIN THE HIA PROFESSIONAL NETWORK?

To start providing your patients with implantable hearing solutions or to become a referral partner and maintain continuity of care for your patients, fill in the contact form below:

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AUDIOMETRISTS

Hearing Implants Australia enables audiometrists to confidently identify implantable hearing device candidates and refer them for implantable hearing devices while maintaining continuity of care.

For Audiometrists
HOW WE COLLABORATE?

For any audiometrist who has maintained the long term hearing aid needs of a patient there now exists a pivotal role in the decision to consider a hearing implant. Audiometrists are increasingly relied upon to start the discussion about a cochlear implant or other implantable device. By referring a patient and engaging as part of the HIA Professional network you remain an active provider in your patient’s care beyond the cochlear implant candidacy evaluation. Audiometrists are instrumental in maintaining continuity of patient care in a collaborative framework. The importance of bimodal listening and the value of compatibility between cochlear implant processors, hearing aids, and accessories is within the domain of the audiometrist with support from HIA. Patients are grateful to take advantage of bimodal benefits with appropriate fittings in the non-implanted ear such as improved richness and quality of sound and bilateral streaming capabilities.

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WHY WORK WITH HIA?

Engagement with HIA is for clinicians looking to expand their clinical offerings and support their patients take the next step in their hearing journey. Members of the HIA Professional Network can:

  • Ensure patients get the treatment they need

  • Develop referral pathways with ENT specialists in your area to reach more patients

  • Differentiate your practice in a competitive market by expanding your service offerings

  • Provide continuity of care for your patients

  • Grow your patient list through networking and word of mouth

  • Access business development and services billing support

  • Clinical education for advanced patient care and complex case management
     

WHAT TRAINING AND SUPPORT DOES HIA PROVIDE?

HIA provides support for audiometrists to refer and during the ongoing patient care. We are able to provide support across all manufacturers of devices and expand your clinics device offerings. This includes:

  • Candidacy identification & evaluation

  • Device activation, follow up programming and advanced troubleshooting

  • Billing and reimbursement guidelines

  • Ongoing clinical support, practice management resources, and networking events.
     

WHO CAN JOIN THE HIA PROFESSIONAL NETWORK?

Any audiometrist who has a passion for exceptional patient care, offers a variety of patient solutions, and wants to ensure timely referral for implant care can become a member of the HIA Professional Network. Contrary to belief, audiometrists can be trained to provide vital support for patients along their hearing implant journey.  It is important that audiometrists wanting to join the HIA Professional Network have the following:

  • A desire to refer people without delay when the need to progress to a hearing implant is present

  • An inherent drive to be the hearing health care expert in their local community

  • Being comfortable working with or learning to work in a medical model with surgeons and specialist audiologists

  • To be prepared to support the continued care of their own clients, locally and long-term

  • Being an accredited audiometrist
     

HOW DO I JOIN THE HIA PROFESSIONAL NETWORK?

To become a referral partner and maintain continuity of care for your patients contact us using the form below:

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