A Critical Situation
Our industry is facing an inflection point: There simply aren’t enough audiologists to go around. And ENT clinics are no exception.
But how did we get here? Consider:
- Demand for services is growing 2.5x faster than schools are producing graduates.
- Less than 25% of audiologists opt to work in ENT practices, leading to understaffing.
- Workforce shortages and growing demand lead to audiologist stress and burnout.
- Retention is already a challenge — the highly competitive job market makes it even worse.
The effects of this audiology staffing shortage are considerable. Patients experience scheduling problems, longer wait times, and delayed diagnoses, among other issues.
But the shortage may also exacerbate other common problems your clinic might face:
- Many audiologists also perform non-revenue-generating tasks, such as warranty management, inventory tracking, and patient recalls — already a big productivity drain.
- Many ENT clinics operate their audiology departments at a breakeven or loss because of rising costs, declining reimbursements, and overburdened staff.
The shortage is already here — could the solution be, too?
A Promising Solution
An exciting in-clinic and virtual model called MaestroAuD™ has been developed by Auris Practice Solutions, and we believe in it so much, we’re partnering with Auris to offer it as a solution to the audiologist shortage.
The MaestroAuD hybrid model
Using an advanced tele-audiology platform, MaestroAuD allows audiology clinics to deliver high-quality care remotely.
This hybrid model combines two components: (1) A state-licensed audiologist from Auris’ nationwide network connects remotely with your patients in real time using advanced tele-audiology technology, and (2) your practice’s medical assistant, who has been trained and certified by Auris Practice Solutions, provides on-site support during the appointment.
Any testing needed during an audiologic evaluation — from OAEs to tinnitus assessments — can be facilitated by your medical assistant, and the remote audiologist handles diagnostics and documentation.
This hybrid model enables you to serve more patients without adding head count, expanding access to audiology services.
Enhance the patient experience
Delays in audiology appointments often result in late diagnoses and poor health outcomes. With MaestroAuD, your patients have faster access to professional hearing care. They receive the attention they need — without the long delays — leading to higher satisfaction and better outcomes.
Your patient also enjoys a more satisfying experience in your office. Your medical assistant guides them through the in-office procedures during the innovative tele-audiology appointment, delivering a smooth and personalized care experience. Along the way, your patient builds a rapport with your medical assistant and the remote audiologist.
This new, hybrid model provides a premier patient experience and significantly reduces wait times, ensuring timely evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.
Boost audiology efficiency and profitability
Implementing this in-clinic and virtual model lets you increase patient volume without hiring additional full-time audiologists, boosting revenue and reducing operational stress.
The support of trained medical assistants allows the audiologist to focus on the case itself — no matter the complexity — improving clinical outcomes while enhancing workflow. With MaestroAuD, you can also reduce overhead costs tied to traditional in-person visits. Plus, your medical assistant and the audiologist gain a competitive edge, improve patient care, and position themselves for long-term growth in today’s health care environment.
The Three Points of Reflection
Every ENT practice is different: Some wonder if their existing audiology department is running at peak efficiency, others are considering in-house audiology for the first time.
That’s why Auris’ process starts with their 3 Points of Reflection performance analysis, which provides a data-driven framework to help you make informed decisions.
This structured process provides clear, actionable insights, helping you understand:
- Where you stand today
- What’s possible for your clinic
- How to maximize audiology’s role in patient care and practice growth
At the end, you gain transparency and clarity on your audiology department’s potential and actionable recommendations — whether you choose to implement MaestroAuD or simply refine your current approach.