MR. COSTCO, TEAR DOWN THAT WALL!
by Mike Metz, PhD Consider the success of the “Big Box” sales of hearing aids. Costco alone has become the second largest dispensing entity of hearing instruments in the US, and just lowered the cost of their premium Kirkland 7.0 instruments. What do you suppose is their return-for-credit rate? No matter which of the…
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The Service Component: Should We Really Embrace Industry Disruption?
By Harvey Abrams, PhD In Kim Cavitt’s recent post, she argues that the disruptive forces facing our industry and profession can have the potential to positively impact accessibility to and affordability of hearing healthcare. I hope she’s right. When most of us think about disruptive forces these days, our minds understandably turn to products, specifically…
Read More2016: Will it be the Year of the Disruption? Gosh, I Hope So.
By Kim Cavitt, AuD So, did my provocative title get you to keep reading? Please say yes because it is important for readers to learn more about the disruptive forces at play in our industry. Unlike many contributors before me, I see the audiology and hearing aid industry differently. I do not fear the disruption.…
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The PCAST Report and How it Could Harm Patients — Part 3
Editor’s Note: Today’s post concludes the discussion by Virginia Ramachandran, AuD, PhD, and Brad Stach, PhD, on why they believe the recommendations of the PCAST report could actually harm, rather than help, hearing impaired patients. PCAST Myth 6: Providing Over-The-Counter Access Will Be Safe for Consumers The report recommendations were provided for those consumers with “age-related, progressive,…
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The PCAST Report and How it Could Harm Patients — Part 2
Editor’s Note: Today’s post continues a discussion by Virginia Ramachandran, AuD, PhD, and Brad Stach, PhD, offering their view on how the recommendations of the PCAST report could actually harm, rather than help, hearing impaired patients. Consumer Access to Hearing Aids In 2009, Dr. Christine Cassel, the co-chair of the PCAST Hearing Technologies, co-authored an article in…
Read MoreAudiology Colleagues and Friends Mourn Passing of Michael Nehr, PSAP Pioneer
Editor’s Note: In a departure from our regular Hearing Disruptions series, we bring readers a special post today, penned by Barry Freeman, PhD, on the passing of Michael Nehr– a person whose story everyone in the hearing industry should know. By Barry Freeman, PhD Audiology lost a dear friend and colleague last week with the…
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