Summary:
Ear Professionals Group unites UnitedHealthcare Hearing, EPIC Hearing Healthcare, and AARP Hearing Solutions under a single brand to expand access, collaboration, and innovation in hearing care.
Key Takeaways:
- The new name consolidates three established hearing programs to streamline access and strengthen partnerships across the industry.
- Ear Professionals Group focuses on affordability, accessibility, and personalized care through benefit and discount programs for members nationwide.
- With over 25 years of experience, the organization aims to advance hearing health awareness and connect more people to high-quality hearing solutions.
The new Ear Professionals Group brand encompasses three well-established hearing industry brands under one name. Formerly operating primarily as UnitedHealthcare Hearing, Ear Professionals Group is focused on accelerating industry momentum through innovative benefit and discount programs, increased accessibility to hearing care, and strong partnerships across the hearing industry.
Ear Professionals Group includes UnitedHealthcare Hearing, EPIC Hearing Healthcare, and AARP Hearing Solutions provided by UnitedHealthcare Hearing. Bringing these programs under Ear Professionals Group allows for increased industry collaboration, technological innovation, as well as benefits for providers and members, according to the company. The name Ear Professionals Group also serves to acknowledge the key role the company’s specialized network of hearing care professionals plays in connecting members with hearing solutions and care.
“At Ear Professionals Group, people come first,” says Dave Falda, CEO of Ear Professionals Group. “We are grounded in empathy and unified in our mission to make hearing care accessible, attainable, and impactful for all. By putting employees, members, and providers at the center of everything we do, we’re able to deliver solutions that truly move the industry forward.”
Growing Need
An estimated 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from hearing aids. Yet fewer than 30% of adults age 70 and older with hearing loss have ever used them. Among adults ages 20 to 69 with hearing loss, only 16% have used hearing aids.
Ear Professionals Group builds on more than 25 years of experience and trusted relationships to expand access to hearing care. By collaborating with manufacturers, providers, and experts, they aim to help connect members to advanced technology and the resources they need to take charge of their hearing health.
“Our mission is to lead the industry by creating tailored programs that help ensure accessible and affordable hearing solutions for everyone,” says Monica Murray, AuD, vice president of program development, Ear Professionals Group.
Each program features a full range of options, including transparent pricing on brand name and high-value private label hearing aids. Through Ear Professional Group programs, members can choose Relate hearing aids, Ear Professionals Group’s private-label brand with models designed for affordability, quality, and versatility.
How Ear Professionals Group Works
“Ear Professionals Group serves as a link between providers, health plans, and members,” says Laura Richardson, AuD, vice president of clinical delivery, Ear Professionals Group. “We take on things like program promotion, benefit details, and other administrative activities for providers, so they can focus on what they do best: delivering personalized patient care to their community.”
Ear Professionals Group’s comprehensive portfolio of benefit and discount programs is designed to:
- Improve access to care and products. Ear Professionals Group administers employer, health plan, and Medicare Advantage hearing aid benefits, along with discount programs available for AARP members—including those without insurance—on a national scale.
- Support patient success. From no cost hearing exams and consultations with a hearing care professional to education and follow-up care, Ear Professionals Group programs help members navigate the hearing journey and purchase hearing aids with confidence and ease.
- Raise awareness. By partnering with global and national brands and organizations, Ear Professionals Group can reach more people and help connect them to the hearing solutions they need.
“Our approach and program portfolio are able to address the needs of a variety of populations through multiple channels to get them connected with high-quality, local care and hearing aids,” says Falda.
For more information about Ear Professionals Group, visit EarProfessionalsGroup.com.
