From May 21-23, hearing healthcare professionals gained a competitive edge with training from EarQ and Oticon, Smorum, Denmark, EarQ announced. The three-day event was held at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown Hotel in Syracuse, New York.
As EarQ’s technology partner, hearing aid manufacturer Oticon hosts training events with the hearing brand and network of independent hearing healthcare providers to help them stay ahead in the industry. At the event, EarQ members learned about the Opn™, an award-winning Oticon hearing aid that is reportedly providing patients with a new world of sound. Other topics included the exclusive advantages an EarQ membership provides, and the value of EarQ programs, according to the announcement.
One challenge that today’s practice owners face is the rise of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids and/or hearing aid sales over the internet. It is EarQ’s stance that patients should not adopt OTC devices or make any purchases from online distributors. According to EarQ, in addition to sometimes distributing hearing aids without the authorization of the manufacturer, online transactions lack the high-quality, specialized patient care that can only come from a hearing care professional.
“Hearing care professionals need to make themselves seen and communicate their value to consumers,” said Ed Keller, president of EarQ. “If they take advantage of new solutions and continue their commitment to the patient, I believe that, together, we can change the future of hearing healthcare.”
The next few days were dedicated to learning more about how members can differentiate their practice and position themselves as the solution for those seeking hearing healthcare.
Innovative Responsive Internet Strategy (Iris), EarQ’s internet strategy, helps members accomplish this by making their practice stand out in the digital space. It’s been said that as consumers continue to rely on the internet for healthcare information, it has become increasingly necessary for practice owners to adopt an integrated online marketing strategy, including an advanced website design, search engine marketing, search engine optimization, and social media. These services and more can be completely funded through member participation, positioning EarQ members ahead of the curve.
According to EarQ, another major differentiator is EarQ’s relationship with the NFL Players Association’s Professional Athletes Foundation. For more than five years, the partnership has been addressing hearing loss in former professional football players. Many EarQ members have reportedly been essential in treating players and collecting data for the research study.
A full schedule of EarQ’s VIP events is available upon request. For more information, please call 866-432-7500.
Source: EarQ
