INDUSTRY INSIGHT
YOUR HEARING
SPONSORED CONTENT
Where’s the Beef…?
By Debra Swift and Dr. Nicole Schott — Swift Audiology
T
he number of baby boomers with hearing loss in the next
decade will skyrocket to over 50 million. Someone will turn 70
every eight seconds for the next 10 years.
Guess what that means to large hearing aid buying groups,
insurance companies, and Internet resellers of hearing devices and
hearing aids? It means money in their pocket if they can obtain your
purchase of hearing devices.
These groups are actively promoting the belief that hearing aids are
overpriced, while disregarding the need for ongoing professional care
and service. These so called “affordable hearing devices” allows the
seller to have no worries, while the consumer is left in the cold with a
“pig in a poke” in their ear, or in the drawer. It means that you have to
additionally purchase a limited service plan locally for maintenance
and repairs, or, when your hearing changes, for programming updates.
Or it may even mean you’re buying a straight amplifier, called a PSAP
(personal sound amplification product). You haven’t saved money!
It’s like buying a hamburger with no beef. These companies do
not care about your results; they care about a profit! You gave your
money to a group that doesn’t have to be accountable for the longterm benefit of your investment, nor the performance of the hearing
devices you purchased.
As an experienced hearing healthcare provider and A+ rated BBB
business owner, I know that hearing loss is no joke! After working
with thousands of patients over the last 30 years, these are the
important considerations you should think
about prior to purchasing a hearing device or
selecting a hearing healthcare provider:
Quality Manufacturing - There are six major
manufacturers who produce advanced digital
hearing instruments. These manufacturers,
Starkey, Phonak, Siemens, ReSound, Oticon
and Widex, spend millions of dollars annually
on research and development. Hearing
healthcare providers, like Swift Audiology,
Debra Swift, BC-HIS,
complete ongoing extensive software training in Founder and Owner
programming and advanced troubleshooting techniques when fitting
these hearing instruments.
Training and Experience - It takes years for the practitioner to
learn the hands-on skills needed to fit and service. In fact, a Doctor
of Audiology attends eight years of college and graduate school, and
still continues to learn through hands-on experience. Our vocation is
not only a science that one can learn in a book, but it is also an art to
understand that hearing loss is an extremely personal matter — not
only for the individual but for the entire family.
Health Benefits - Numerous studies conducted at Johns Hopkins
Medical Center have shown a correlation between untreated
hearing loss and early-onset dementia. Additionally, the National
Council on Aging (NCOA) has released studies on the impact of
untreated hearing loss on overall emotional well-being, including selfconfidence, frustration, paranoia, anger, isolation and depression.
Maintenance - Furthermore, hearing aids contain microphones
and receivers (speakers) that are not airtight. These devices are then
worn in our ear canals, which are made up of wax, perspiration,
dead skin, and hair. If routine maintenance is not performed, it
won’t be long until the hearing aid performance diminishes. A local
practice, like Swift Audiology, that offers walk-in cleaning clinics
and troubleshooting daily without additional fees is invaluable.
We also recommend that all hearing aid users receive an annual
comprehensive hearing evaluation and programming adjustments.
We often surprise hearing aid candidates
when we explain how many options and price
points they can choose from while receiving
hearing aids and service at no additional charge,
because at Swift Audiology, we do not believe
in taking shortcuts. Life does not have a replay
button; you have to hear it to experience it. Call
us for your complimentary hearing evaluation
and demonstration of today’s newest digital
hearing devices. Learn what YOUR options are
Dr. Nicole Schott,
— with a no-risk, no-obligation consultation.
Au.D.-CCC-A, Doctor of
Audiology.
Call 412.536.8221 today.
Missing half the conversation?
Hearing Aids at
ALL Price Points
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$
750
*
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28
YEARS IN
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ing aids. Expires
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mbe
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or discount.
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9/8/16 4:19 PM