By Melissa Rose, AuD; Brianna Rhue, OD; Kathy Wiederkehr, VMD
Many practices focus heavily on attracting new patients, but some of the most meaningful opportunities for growth already exist within the patients they serve every day. From adding new services to introducing complementary products, small, intentional changes can create stronger outcomes for both patients and the practice.
As part of CareCredit’s ongoing commitment to supporting practice growth, owners across different healthcare specialties share how they have expanded their offerings in ways that feel natural, not transactional. The common theme is clear; growth does not come from doing more for the sake of it, it comes from making it easier for patients to move forward with the care they already want.
Melissa Rose, AuD
Having multiple revenue streams is critical, especially in today’s environment. You can’t rely on just one area of the practice to carry everything. If one area slows down, you need other services or offerings that can help stabilize the business. That kind of balance only happens when you’re intentional about how you grow.
One way is by adding ancillary services—such as hearing protection, connectivity devices, assistive listening devices, and remote controls for hearing aids. You are the expert, so it’s natural for you to provide these types of products at your practice.
Another way is to look at your community and identify where you could provide additional value. That led us to new partnerships and services that we hadn’t originally considered such as OSHA, a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Labor that ensures safe and healthful working conditions by setting, enforcing, and monitoring compliance with workplace safety standards. Over time, those relationships turned into entirely new revenue streams. It wasn’t something that happened overnight, but as we continued to build on it, it became a meaningful part of the practice.
Brianna Rhue, OD
We’ve built our practice around the idea of being a comprehensive resource for our patients. It’s not just about the exam. It’s about everything that supports their vision and overall eye health. When you start thinking that way, expanding your services becomes much more natural. You begin asking, what else do my patients need, and how can I provide that in a way that makes their lives easier? That mindset has led to a range of services and products that support both patient care and business growth. Plus, it’s not selling when you are providing products and services that your patients will probably be buying anyway.
We offer glasses, contact lenses, dry eye treatments, and products that patients use on a daily basis. On their own, each of these may seem small, but when you look at them collectively, they create meaningful incremental revenue. More importantly, it improves the patient experience. They don’t have to go somewhere else to get what they need. Everything is handled in one place, which builds trust and keeps them coming back.
Kathy Wiederkehr, VMD
One of the most important things we focus on is making sure that when a client walks through our door, they can get everything they need in one place. That level of convenience is something clients really value. It simplifies their experience and builds a level of trust that keeps them coming back.
Many of the services and products we introduced came directly from listening. We paid attention to what clients were asking for and where there were gaps. Instead of guessing, we responded to real needs. Over time, those additions became a significant part of the business. It wasn’t about forcing new services but about providing what clients were already looking for in a more complete way.
Final Thoughts
Across specialties, the takeaway is consistent: growth doesn’t come from forcing new services or pushing additional products. It comes from understanding what patients want and need, communicating it clearly, and making it easy for them to move forward.
When services are aligned with patient goals and presented in a way that feels natural, practices don’t just increase revenue; they build stronger relationships, improve outcomes, and create a more sustainable path for long-term success.
About the Authors:
Melissa Rose, AuD, is the owner of Nardelli Audiology in West Virginia and a certified audiologist. She evaluates and treats hearing in adults with advanced digital hearing aid technology and advanced wireless technology. Brianna Rhue, OD, FAAO, is the owner of West Broward Eyecare Associates, CEO of Dr. Contact Lens, and co-founder of TechifEye with almost 12,000 followers on LinkedIn. Kathy Wiederkehr, VMD, has been practicing veterinary medicine at pet care facilities in California since 2001. Most recently, she served as medical director of the VCA PetPoint Medical Center and Resort in Irvine.
Original citation for this article: Rose M, Rhue B, Wiederkehr K. Insights from the Outside: Tips for Adding Services and Selling the Extras. Hearing Review. 2026;33(3):26.
