Covid-19 health care shift
Hearing care has shifted with the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting how we live, work and play but our core values remain unchanged.
As the longest-serving independent local family Practice caring for the hearing healthcare needs of the community our immediate response to the unprecedented challenges was to be pro-active and seek solutions to address the need for safe, accessible, quality hearing care.
COVID-19 has presented unprecedented challenges not seen in the four decades of involvement we have had in hearing healthcare.
As an essential service, we adapted quickly to the new healthcare and safety protocols. We initiated a national ZOOM meeting with aligned clinic owners throughout Australia and together we worked on safety protocols and new initiatives such as Remote Audiology, Curbside Audiology and Contactless Audiology. We sourced new equipment and products that reduced contact to a minimum.
Once restrictions eased we expected that these new practices would become the ‘norm’ but we found that most people wanted to get back to normal to life pre-COVID (or as close as practically possible) and that their value systems had not changed but rather been re-enforced. In fact, apart from the early ‘adopters’ of new technology, the majority of people didn’t want remote contact or any of this ‘new-fangled’ technology that was perplexing, tiring and hard to understand, they wanted quality contact, the attention of a real live person present and responsive to their needs.
Clients expressed their appreciation of the old-fashioned service that we provide and they wanted to share their experiences with us. They wanted someone to listen and understand their needs, their stories, how they are feeling and to help find solutions for their unique challenges. Communication, trust, empathy and understanding are valued more than new modes of interaction. Rather than embrace these new delivery methods our clients wanted our care more than ever, human interaction took on a new level of importance.s craved and increased as a value.
We appreciated this feedback and this week we were humbled with the appreciation and thanks expressed by a group of clients who volunteered to share their hearing experiences to encourage others to take the step to better hearing.
We welcome everyone to enjoy a listening ear and independent advice along with a great choice of products many of which are award-winning. The choice is paramount as no single manufacturer can satisfy the diverse needs of all clients. We still offer great services such as complimentary in-house servicing of hearing devices and no-obligation trials of the latest hearing technology some of which has been specifically designed to overcome some of the challenges of our times.
Research and development in hearing technologies have continued and we are pleased to advise that we have launched some new products which should make hearing life even easier. Come in hear the difference these products can make to your hearing.