Optimizing Connections that Foster Client-Professional Relationships
Somerset, NJ September 16 - Oticon, Inc. today announced a partnership with Healthy Hearing that will connect people actively seeking hearing solution and hearing loss information to hearing care professionals in their communities. The optimized search function is designed to ensure that the more than 400,000 visitors per year who seek hearing health information at healthyhearing.com are directed to hearing care professionals who can provide the professional care and counsel needed to achieve a successful outcome. Unlike companies that sell directly over the internet, the Oticon/Healthy Hearing partnership supports both the growth of hearing care practices and relationships with end users.
"The simplicity of using the internet and the ease of localized search has allowed online information search to happen more quickly and effectively," states Oticon President Peer Lauritsen. "Research tells us that 30 to 40 percent of individuals are ready to take action when they conduct an online search. With the Oticon/Healthy Hearing partnership, we provide an alternative to websites that sell directly to consumers and at the same time, support our valued business partners with access to people in their communities who are actively seeking hearing care solutions."
Lauritsen sites research that shows today's seniors are using the internet more than ever before. In the past seven years, the amount of seniors online has grown by 85 percent. On an average day, nearly 60 million people use search engines. People, ages 70-74 years old, represent 45 percent of that number and half of that number use online search engines for health and health-related products.
Health care professionals who partner with Oticon and Healthy Hearing on this new initiative will be able to optimize their visibility online by appearing at the top of the search engine results. Practice profiles will highlight services, personal biography, staff information and office hours. "We know that when end users search for hearing care providers, most hearing care professionals don't appear at the top of the list," explains Lauritsen. "Consumers often look at only the first five links offered by a search engine. By partnering with Oticon and healthyhearing.com, hearing care professionals maximize their visibility online by appearing at the top of search engine results. It is a win-win both for people seeking expert hearing care and for hearing care professionals looking to expand their practice reach."
For information on participating in the Oticon/Healthy Hearing referral system, hearing care professionals should contact their Oticon account manager. For more information about Oticon, visit www.Oticon.com or the Oticon web channel on AudiologyOnline.
