As the audiology industry reacts to the news that UnitedHealth Group, a health insurer based in Minnetonka, MN, is making discounted hearing aids available for only $749 to $949 per ear to both their customers and non-customers, NowiHear.com is reaching out to consumers to help them understand the potential dangers of the initiative and offering an alternative. The wholly-owned consumer marketing division of AuDNet Inc. is dedicated to educating and providing resources to consumers regarding hearing health.
UnitedHealth Group claims to have consulted hearing health professionals in developing its online hearing test, which will soon be available through mobile phones as well. However, the audiology industry is concerned that consumers will forgo what is best for their long-term hearing health in exchange for a short-term, less expensive alternative.
"Clearly, United Health Care recognizes that hearing loss is an important issue within its subscriber population. What the audiology community additionally recognizes is that hearing loss is first and foremost a health issue that is no more amenable to self-diagnosis and treatment than any other health issue," stated industry advocate Greg Frazer, PhD, AuD, CCC-A, ABA, NBC-HIS, director of audiology at Pacific Hearing Inc. in Los Angeles. "A competent and professional diagnosis of the cause of the hearing loss is an essential prerequisite before any treatment plan is initiated, hearing aids or otherwise. Individuals with hearing loss can have treatable and/or life-threatening medical conditions or even excessive wax in their ear - causes for which a hearing aid is not appropriate. And if hearing aid treatment is in order, research shows that individualized professional care provides the best chance for optimal hearing enhancement and patient satisfaction."
NowiHear.com joins the Minnesota Department of Health and professional organizations that have taken actions in response to this news, including the American Academy of Audiology, Academy of Doctors of Audiology, and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
In support of these efforts by the audiology community to caution and dissuade consumers from purchasing medical devices like hearing aids over the Internet without first consulting an audiologist or physician, NowiHear.com will encourage their constituents to take the Quick Hearing Check, powered by the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), that is available both online and through the NowiHear.com hearing app for Android. Consumers then can utilize the Audiologist Locater at NowiHear.com to find a qualified professional in their area who can do a consultation and offer fair pricing on hearing aids.
"It's simply not enough for us to come out with a statement that questions the efficacy and ethics of the UnitedHealth Group decision," remarked David Smriga, founder and president of AuDNet Inc. "You have to give people a viable alternative. What we are asking the consumer to do is to take the BHI Quick Hearing Check online so they can understand whether or not specific action is needed, then we will take the guesswork out by providing the consumer with the best qualified professional who can serve their needs. While the Internet has been a boon in many ways, there are still certain things that shouldn't and simply cannot be replaced. Sourcing a hearing aid is simple; what is not simple are the complications that can accompany the decision of improper diagnosis."
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