Guest blog from Lucas A. Berenbrok, PharmD, MS, BCACP, FAPhA
Hearing health care has long been a system of complex referrals and high out-of-pocket costs. But patients now have an alternative with OTC hearing aids.
What makes receiving hearing health care in the U.S. so hard is our societal reluctance to accept hearing loss and to seek treatment. In fact, many people live for years with untreated hearing loss before ultimately seeking care. And after acceptance, the effort required to find the right hearing professional and the resources needed to purchase prescription hearing aids can further slow us down.
In my recent work to accelerate access to hearing treatment with OTC hearing aids, I learned about the “why” and tested the “how” pharmacists can engage in hearing health care. The “why” is quick and easy. Hearing aids can help people get back to living their lives.
But the “how” takes a little more time and effort. OTC hearing aids can be successful when pharmacy and hearing professionals (like audiologists and hearing aid specialists) work together. But to do that, we must first learn more about each other. The following are insights into our similarities that highlight the reasons why we as pharmacy professionals should collaborate with hearing professionals in OTC hearing aids.
We both are highly trained and skilled
Audiologists are highly trained, earning a Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree. The AuD degree is required for current candidates. Pharmacy education also requires a doctoral level degree, the PharmD. Hearing aid specialists can also attain professional licensures by completing either workplace training or academic degrees. To further support successful clinical practices, pharmacy technicians and audiology assistants can be found working alongside pharmacists, audiologists, and hearing aid specialists. The time and devotion we invest in becoming skilled in our fields is the basis for mutual respect and trust.
We both live and work in local communities
Hearing professionals practice in independent and corporate chain settings, just like pharmacy professionals. They practice from storefronts where patients can walk in and speak to someone about their hearing. Look around for your local hearing professional. Consider inviting them to your pharmacy. And offer to visit them in return.
Like it or not, we both are tied to products
Just like in pharmacy, audiology is tied to a product, the hearing aid. Although patients ultimately take home a hearing aid device, audiologists also deliver services that support overall hearing and balance. Their other services include hearing screenings, device fittings, and customization of devices to an individual’s needs and preferences. Hearing professionals aim to get the right device for the right patient. And getting that right means helping people wear their hearing aids each and every day. Sound familiar?
Together, we can address untreated hearing loss
Hearing loss is a major public health issue. In the United States, 38 million adults suffer with hearing loss; and of those, 28 million could benefit from using a hearing aid. As nonprescription products now sold in pharmacies, OTC hearing aids offer pharmacy and audiology professionals a new way to work together to increase the proportion of the U.S. treating their hearing loss with hearing aids.
We are learning from each other
Pharmacists and audiologists have been learning from each other for years. The American Pharmacists Association, the American Academy of Audiology, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association routinely invite audiologist and pharmacist speakers to their annual meetings. When pharmacy professionals are educated and trusted by hearing professionals to recognize, intervene, and refer patients with hearing loss, we become champions of hearing health care.
Lucas A. Berenbrok, PharmD, MS, FAPhA
To learn more about how pharmacists can play a key role in addressing hearing loss, enroll in the Pharmacy-Based OTC Hearing Aids Advanced Training Program, which offers 3 hours of self-paced coursework developed by University of Pittsburgh pharmacy and audiology faculties.