Tele-audiology, a disruptive technology that could be a threat or an opportunity
I have talked about tele-audiology before in general terms. Tele-audiology really covers the use of remote audiology through a full suite of hardware and software in the clinic location. However there is another form that most of us would be familiar with. That is the concept as it applies to a certain manufacturer’s instruments.
Basically some fine tuning can be undertaken via the telephone, this manufacturer has also moved towards some limited fine tuning performed by the Patient. They are also wholeheartedly adopting apps to foster Patient engagement.
Tele-Audiology For Fine tuning
So lets assess both of these concepts separately. First the ability for you to undertake fine tuning remotely. This can be of great help to you in your Practice, particularly if you are under some pressure. But what if you introduced it as a constant in your Practice?
Fine Tuned In The Comfort Of Your Own Home!
All Rehabs Undertaken In Your Own Home Using The Most Modern Of Technology!
I would consider introduction of tele-audiology as an ongoing strategy as damaging to your Patient engagement. Whilst it is an interesting concept for the Patient experience, using it regularly would in fact damage or lower the Patient experience of your brand.
Tele-audiology can be leveraged as a KSP though, but it means that you limit yourself to one manufacturer. The other manufacturers have not moved towards enabling tele-audiology in this manner. So until all of the other manufacturer’s move towards use of this type of technology. It is not something that you may be comfortable using in your hearing healthcare marketing. Fine tuning by tele-audiology is already a possibility, with the rush towards so called iPhone aids, will remote fitting be soon a possibility?
Actually, if we consider the technology as it may work, a more frightening question is raised. Will self fitting soon to be a possibility? Perhaps we should be happy that only one manufacturer has striven for remote fine tuning? Again though as tele-audiology technology moves forward, particularly the external communication technology. More and more manufacturers will realise the ability to both remote fine tune and also remote fit. The question will be whether they enable it.
Tele-Audiology can be an opportunity but also a threat! Tweet this
As you can see, tele-audiology like most disruptive technology is possibly an opportunity but also a threat. What are your own feelings?
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Regards
Geoff
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