Innovation, research, continuity, and reliability have been keys to MedRx’s success over the last 25 years, according to the company. MedRx, Largo, Fla, was established in 1994 by Ron Buck who, at that time, had worked in Florida for more than 10 years as a hearing aid dispenser. As a practice owner, he decided he needed a video otoscope but found the market solutions were too costly. Instead of giving in, Buck decided to develop a video otoscope for his offices. He pulled an engineering friend out of retirement, and they started development on his video otoscope ideas. By the time the project was complete, they had three of the most expensive video otoscopes known to man. At that point, he decided to take his video otoscopes to market. MedRx was born. And the result was incredible: $5 million in a single year with a team of three people.
MedRx continued its innovations with the introduction of the OtoWizard in 1997. The OtoWizard was the first all-in-one computerized audiometer, real-ear measurement, and otoscope, neatly packed onto a rolling cart that could be moved around the office. MedRx built the OtoWizard with products required in the hearing aid retail model—determined to produce solutions that help clinics explain hearing loss easily to patients and visually show the benefits of hearing aids.
In 2005, MedRx introduced the portable Avant series of audiometers and real-ear measurement products, featuring a small lightweight design which allowed the owners to easily travel with the equipment. The Avant audiometer and real-ear devices opened new opportunities for practice owners. This allowed clinicians to travel into nursing homes, retirement facilities, remote locations, and even complete home testing and fitting.
By 2017, MedRx had rounded off its modern product line. Their products became easier to install and operate. The need for drivers has disappeared, and what the company views as the ultimate portable audiometer and real-ear device was created: Avant ARC. The Avant ARC contains both an audiometer and real-ear device combined in a single unit (hence the name). MedRx has since expanded into clinical units with a high-frequency audiometer and the Tinnometer, a device designed specifically to assess and diagnose tinnitus.
Today, MedRx has 25 employees and distributes its products in more than 60 countries worldwide. MedRx maintains its focus on helping the clinician explain, and the patient understand, their hearing loss. The MedRx product line has expanded to screening, diagnostic, and clinical audiometers, tinnitus assessment devices, binaural and monaural real-ear measurement, hearing instrument test boxes, hearing aid cleaning devices, and, of course, a video otoscope.
MedRx reports that the company looks forward to the next 25 years and thanks the industry for their support. To celebrate, all purchases in May will come with a 25-month warranty.
HR thanks long-time MedRx employee Carole Harris for this article.
Congratulations Ronnie and Team. It was fun helping you locate the building on Starkey [Road in Largo] and negotiating the lease. You probably own that building by now:)
Your friend Broker Jan:)