By Jeanette Fitzke
This article is a part of the May/June, Volume 35, Number 3, Audiology Today issue.
The notion of competing against quick-fix over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids might seem daunting. Daunting, yet not impossible. When you consider the benefits you can offer your patients (quality products, maximized performance, and personalized care), the one-size-fits-all model doesn’t sound nearly as good.
So, how do you retain and even attract new patients? The answer is in the value of differentiation. Here are some suggestions to highlight your best practices:
Focus on specialties—e.g., patients needing deep-canal fittings, something OTC products can’t offer.
- Provide an individual fit–Hearing loss is not one-size-fits-all. Demonstrate how custom products can account for the size and shape of each unique ear. Display the variety of choices custom provides, including accessories.
- Maximize efficiency–Reduce number of remakes and returns by getting the fit right the first time.
Gather intelligence and get to know what your competition is doing and what gaps you could fill. Focus on ways to highlight the differences to your advantage and market your clinic and the “wow” factor you offer. Otoscan® from Natus is a product that not only provides a better customer experience (no silicone!), but also can be used as a marketing tool to highlight advanced technology in use at your clinic. It’s tools like these that help your practice stand out.
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