The Problem with Self Programming
A very disturbing discussion was brought up at my clinical site this week. For all you AuDs specializing in hearing aids, listen up--you might want to hear this!
At the risk of starting some controversy, I feel compelled to bring up this subject. It was brought to my attention that there is a company whose main selling point is to give patients the equipment to program their own hearing aids. Yeah, I said it! I may be late on this information, but I found it to be a little disturbing. Whose programming software is this company using? Is this illegal? Are they out of their minds?!
Despite the fact that most hearing aid patients don't even know how to clean them properly (no offense), what makes them think they are savvy enough to manipulate complicated software? I had to go online and check it out for myself. They had a very interesting forum on the site, and reading it made me even more disturbed.
Let me tell you, there are a lot of angry patients out there. Many of them were voicing how much of a good idea they thought this was and asking how they could get their hands on NOAH. There were a few voices of reason but, sadly, they were outnumbered. I surfed around a little more on this site, and the company was giving directions to patients on how they should go and get their hearing checked and then decline the audiologist's hearing aids.
Even though I honestly don't think this will get very far, I'm just appalled at the idea. It seems like just another thing to add to the list of "attempts to cheapen the audiology profession." I'm glad my preceptor brought this up, as it gave us an opportunity to generate discussion and for me to express my views on the subject. So fellow AuDs, be aware of what's out there.