Audiology Assistant Track

Thursday, March 27, 8:15–9:15 am

Presenters:  Lindsey Jorgensen, AuD, PhD; Nichole Kingham, AuD

Audiology assistants are well-suited to conduct hearing instrument test box measures in any clinic. This task can streamline clinical workflow, enhance service efficiency, and improve patient care. By performing these objective tests, assistants enable audiologists to focus on more complex diagnostic and treatment tasks, maximizing patient face-time and specialized care. Proficiency in test box measures allows audiology assistants to ensure hearing aids are functioning optimally, offering consistent quality control and technical support. Delegating this responsibility can reduce wait times, increase clinic capacity, and empower assistants through skill expansion, creating a collaborative, efficient environment that enhances overall patient satisfaction and clinic productivity.

Thursday, March 27, 4:15–4:45 pm

Presenter: Laurel Gregory, MA

Empathy isn’t always easy, especially when dealing with demanding or emotional patients. However, fostering empathy can improve relationships and make it easier to manage challenging patients. This course will explore distinctions between empathy, compassion, and sympathy, and their crucial role in patient interactions. We will also examine how cultural diversity and personality adds another layer of consideration in patient care. Through greater awareness of these concepts, healthcare providers can deliver more personalized, effective hearing healthcare services, even in difficult situations.

Thursday, March 27, 5:00–6:00 pm

Presenter: C. Scot Frink

The staff of audiology clinics know that hearing aids can be expensive, but do they know why? This class is a basic introduction to understanding the costs of operation for an audiology practice, relating to wages, material costs, supplies, equipment, etc. Delivery models can also vary from practice to practice, whether it is bundled or unbundled care, or something in between. Examples of these delivery systems, when and where they are appropriate will be discussed, and different opportunities available to ensure the practice can keep its doors open. So often the focus of what we do is about best practices in patient diagnostics and treatment, but we also need to emphasize the business aspect to ensure that we are available to take care of the patient. It is important for employees to know these aspects of the business so that they feel justified in discussing prices with patients.

Friday, March 28, 8:00–9:00 am

Presenter:  Kevin D. St. Clergy, MS

With patients increasingly relying on digital channels to make health care decisions, audiology practices need to optimize their online presence to attract new patients and retain existing ones. This course emphasizes that search engine optimization (SEO) in its traditional sense is no longer enough—effective marketing now requires search everywhere optimization, which involves leveraging a variety of online platforms. Audiology assistants and front desk managers play a pivotal role as the face of the clinic, influencing how the practice appears in reviews, social media engagement, and patient referrals. This training provides these critical team members with the tools and strategies to help the clinic thrive in today’s competitive health care environment.

Friday, March 28, 9:45–10:45 am

Presenter:  Nichole Kingham, AuD

Building authentic relationships is truly important in all areas of our lives. We, as humans, need personal connection. When we care for our patients out of genuine concern and take an interest in their daily lives, we improve patient retention and satisfaction. In this course, the audiology assistant will learn about 10 simple mistakes that assistants might make that become relationship killers and how to avoid them.

Friday, March 28, 4:30–5:00 pm

Presenter: Christopher Spankovich, AuD, PhD, MPH

In this session, learners will be provided an overview of the practical elements of completing an audiometric evaluation.