Volume 27
September 30, 2020
Practice Growth Insights™
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Snapshot:
  • Listening intent
  • Humble beginnings
  • Hear the facts
  • Opportune conversations
  • Accountability matters
  • Influential teachers
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From a whole-person care perspective, patients benefit when healthcare professionals coordinate specialized expertise. As experts empower those in need to hear life’s precious sounds, especially with social distancing, it is also essential that we be purposeful listeners. While real ear measurements validate device performance, what metrics assess how well we listen? When we truly listen “with the intent to understand," it can reward the speaker, ourselves and most importantly, many others.
"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand;
they listen with the intent to reply."
—Steven Covey
Case in point, I am often asked how my audiology field engagement began. In 2008, we were honored to collaborate with industry leaders at a premier academic center in developing patient-centric designs which explained common hearing health conditions. Many years and 1000s of new designs later, I always take to heart this was our deeply appreciated start. During this inspiring process, I was encouraged to explore how co-creating customized educational content might be a worthy pursuit in doing our part to help, as the top of this page highlights, Elevate the Profession. With respect, humility and excitement, I listened.
Led by a disciplined and evidence-based design construct, our Hear the Facts collection came to life. To be clear, each design details the specific condition’s description, causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options. With additions since and realizing diagnostic equipment or actual device solutions change, our collection now includes:
  • Acoustic Neuroma
  • Auditory Processing Disorder
  • Cochlear Implants
  • Meniere's Disease
  • Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
  • Presbycusis
  • Serous Otitis Media
  • Sudden Hearing Loss
  • Tinnitus
  • Tympanometry
  • Unilateral Hearing Loss
  • Vestibular System Evaluation
For easy reference, here are links to:
Like our companion Did You Know series, this useful content merits an omni-channel presence in clinic, in community and online. Via systematic utilization, you will enhance patients’ baseline understanding, improve clinical productivity by proactively addressing frequently asked questions, drive relevant messages home and promote practice professionalism.

For easy-to-share at point of care access, our previously shown hearing health education centers are an eye-catching display for both Did You Know and Hear the Facts designs selected from 30+ diverse choices. In presenting, subject matter experts trigger opportune conversations about prevalent hearing conditions and their relationship with other common medical conditions. Two awareness pathways and one goal, providing patients the hearing health wellness information patients needed and personal touch deserved.
As a patient’s quality of life needs and audiologic diagnostics shape individualized plans of care, their medical history may guide which educational materials are personally relevant. While logical to provide risk of falls content with those unsteady on their feet or tinnitus information for loved ones troubled by ringing in their ears, it is the healthy habit of sharing that signifies actionable progress. To facilitate team training, our Accountability Matters in-practice protocols are a popular reference. 

As seen in this Did You Know? risk of falls example (view), methodical guidelines include:

  • Let’s Talk About… how managing hearing loss can reduce the risk of falls.
  • One Core Focus… expertly and kindly educate each patient, just like family.
  • Three Vital Questions… customized for each topic.
  • Professional Responsibility… when we share, we show we care.
  • Daily Goal… discuss four vital questions with each patient to whom this information applies.
Ford quote
In the final analysis, by motivating your team to gain essential knowledge, they will be influential teachers about why Better Hearing is Better Healthcare. By listening to understand and sharing purposefully, your educational intent will be well-respected by patients, peers and referral sources. When those entrusted in your care Hear the Facts, treatment plan recommendations are more likely to be perceived as the right fit.

As we celebrate sharing almost 30 issues of Practice Growth Insights, next week’s will review the strategic arc of narrative to date and preview our upcoming Influential Ideas - In Sight, In Mind exhibition. See you soon.
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Bruce Essman
CEO
High Definition Impressions (HDI)



314.276.7392
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