Previous articles have addressed growing concerns within the field regarding impact and changes in the practice of audiology now that big-box stores and their low-cost hearing aids are reality. There has also been much debate surrounding third-party payer plans that reimburse for hearing-aid services, but at a much lower rate than most independent audiology practices can afford to accept.
Topic(s): Health Care, Rehabilitation, audiology, Independent Private Practice
Throughout the years, health-care service delivery models progressed from a provider-centered method of care toward a greater focus on the patient. In addition, increased prominence has been placed on the use of empirical evidence in the decision-making process to promote clinical accountability. But how can audiologists best provide patient-centered care when each patient is so unique?
Topic(s): Audiologist, Healthcare, Practice Management, Rehabilitation, Patient care
Over the years, there has been an expansion of group aural rehabilitation programs facilitated by audiologists to support new hearing aid users and their families. These programs focus on hearing aid use, the psychosocial aspects of living with hearing loss, collaborative problem solving, and the facilitation of communication strategies (Kricos, 2000). There are numerous advantages to offering group aural rehabilitation, but what makes a program successful?
Topic(s): Aural Rehabilitation, Audiologist, Hearing Loss, Hearing Aids, Rehabilitation, Treatment
More specifically, this article will (1) describe the principles of family-centered practice in adult audiologic rehabilitation, (2) summarize observations of family-centered behaviors in current audiologic rehabilitation, and (3) identify opportunities to increase the family-centeredness of adult audiologic rehabilitation. To address these aims, we will outline the research evidence behind family-centered care (FCC) (the why), and from this, describe how FCC might best be implemented in audiologic rehabilitation.
Topic(s): Audiologist, Aural Rehabilitation, Practice Management, Rehabilitation, Treatment