2021 marks the start of a new administration, a new Congress, and the end of a year punctuated by a global pandemic, economic strain, and political turmoil. The start of 2021 will be dominated by efforts to contain the pandemic, as well as efforts related to transitions in the House, Senate, and federal agencies.
The new administration headed by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris places Democrats in control in the White House. In addition, Democrats control the House of Representatives and, with a slim margin, the Senate.
Topic(s): Advocacy, audiology, Medicare, COVID-19, Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Act
We now find ourselves in a time and age of self-directed (or consumer-driven) health care within our society. Thanks to “Dr. Google,” MANY consumers are experiencing some success in the ability to self-determine their own health needs independently. Health professionals are considered a necessity only when the self-directed care does not yield the expected results. Audiology is now entering into this service delivery that optometry, dentistry, and other health professions have navigated through within their discipline for quite some time.
Topic(s): audiology, Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Act, Patient-Centered Care
In the United States, distribution of hearing aids is facilitated primarily through audiologists, physicians, and hearing aid dealers. There is confusion, however, in the marketplace over the “branding” of each group. Proper branding addresses inaccurate statements, positions, and perceptions, while differentiating between the profession of an audiologist and the occupation of a hearing aid dealer.
Topic(s): Hearing Aids, Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Act, Board Certification, audioprosthologist, Audiologist
