Plymouth, Minn. (November 21, 2007) -Sonus, the largest professional hearing-care network in North America, is working to establish relationships with the medical community to raise awareness among physicians about the importance of testing for hearing loss, which often goes undiagnosed and untreated.
"Eighty percent of physicians do not test for hearing loss," says Bob Tysoe, physician marketing manager of Sonus. "If a patient comes to a doctor suffering from depression, anxiety and other psychosocial issues, hearing loss could be causing these conditions. It's imperative that physicians work with patients to identify if hearing loss is a factor."
It is estimated that 28 million Americans have hearing loss, yet only 5.5 million have ever sought treatment or obtained hearing aids. Because 22 percent of first time hearing aid buyers are referred through a medical channel, Sonus has developed a physician education program to encourage audiologists to foster relationships with the medical community to increase the number of patients who are examined for hearing loss.
"Patients trust their primary care physicians and have a greater tendency to act upon their advice," Tysoe adds. "And because physicians only refer their patients to people they know and trust, Sonus has developed a program where local hearing professionals can tap into physicians."
Most hearing impaired patients either don't seek care because of denial or are not aware of who may be a trustworthy hearing health provider. This is where Sonus steps in. Through clinic visits, Sonus marketing staff are able to conduct "lunch and learn" sessions that educate physicians and RNs about:
- The complete range of personal hearing solutions and services available for all hearing loss patients
- Sonus clinics staffed by Certified Audiologist and Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialists
- Patient education materials regarding diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus
- Acute/same day scheduling for physician referrals
About Sonus
Since its founding in 1993, Sonus has grown into the largest professional hearing-care organization in North America. Today Sonus offers private-label and multi-brand products to hearing-impaired consumers at more than 2,000 locations in the United States and Canada, including company-owned clinics and independent providers who are licensed Sonus Network affiliates. As an innovator and leader in hearing health care, Sonus is the premier provider of small business services to the hearing healthcare industry.
For more information, please visit www.sonus.com or the Sonus Web Channel on Audiology Online at www.audiologyonline.com/channels/sonus.asp
