What happens when a person with hearing loss attends an audiologist conference? We take a look at the future of hearing care, including new innovations in the pipeline for hearing technology and customer care. We also get insight into their world: their worries and the things that excite them.
But most importantly, we have the opportunity to share the perspective of the person with hearing loss, not only through scheduled presentations (ours was Friday afternoon), but in each of our interactions with providers and the staff throughout the showroom.
- We can test the latest technology and share our opinions about it. Our feedback is critical to ensuring these advances are relevant to the populations they are intended to support.
- We can comment on marketing materials and encourage manufacturers to better represent people with hearing loss in their materials.
- And we can talk about other things that people with hearing loss need besides technology to live well. These changes in attitude and behavior are sometimes overlooked in hearing care, ignored by rumors of the latest technological advances. More information about this at Hear and Beyond: Living Skillfully with Hearing Loss.
See my takeaways from the 2024 American Academy of Audiology Conference and HearTech Expo below.
New and exciting technologies are coming
One of my favorite new technologies is Auracast, the latest Bluetooth technology that will one day take over sound systems around the world, providing a better listening experience for everyone, but especially for people with hearing loss. Auracast support is starting to come to hearing devices, but until the public rollout is complete, people with hearing loss will still need Bluetooth and T-coil support on their devices.
Another interesting development is the inclusion of hearing aid technology in the temples of the glasses. How convenient to be able to take care of both our eyes and our ears in a single, easy-to-use device! This new form factor could be a great option for people with limited dexterity or cognitive issues.
For more details on the exciting technology on display, read my co-author and friend Gael Hannan’s review. here.
Greater focus on consumer experience
The keynote speaker of the conference, Abraham Verghese, MD, MACP spoke about the importance of the doctor-client relationship. He worries that modern medicine has become more focused on an “iPatient” living on the doctor’s computer defined by test results and data, than on caring for the human patient in front of them.
This is also an important message for the hearing care industry, where technological solutions sometimes trump other aspects of customer service. To live well with hearing loss, people need to use both technology and non-technical communication strategies.
In conversations throughout the showroom, it’s clear that manufacturers and suppliers are taking this customer service message to heart. I am hopeful to see how this renewed focus translates to hearing care over time.
Accessibility improvements: a work in progress
Who better to set the standard for hearing access than a conference for the hearing care industry? And improvements have been made over previous conferences I attended. Closed captioning was available for all scheduled work sessions as well as general sessions. In work sessions, subtitles were placed at the top of the screen, making them easy to view from behind. Unfortunately, this was not the case for the general session. As you can see in the image below, I had difficulty seeing the full line of subtitles from my seat in the back.
Other sessions, including privately hosted events by various companies and technologies, were not always subtitled. Perhaps including captions for all events, both on and off the calendar, could be a goal for the future.
Conclusion: There is a lot to be excited about
Bottom line: There’s a lot to be excited about in hearing care! And it’s fun to visit the front lines of change. For a more patient perspective at your next conference, get in touch.
Readers, have you attended an audiology conference?
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