The fourth quarter (Q4) of 2015 marked strong growth for the private sector, with an 8.2% increase in sales compared to Q4 2014. The VA increased its dispensing activity by 2.3%. Total hearing aid unit sales grew by 7.0% in Q4 2015. What is not known is how much private sector growth can be attributed to the market gains of low-cost retailers like Costco.
Read More
Starkey Hearing Technologies’ former president Jerry Ruzicka has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the company. Starkey says that Ruzicka is the person who is under investigation by the FBI and IRS, not the company.
Read More
Within the four walls of the clinic you have an opportunity to create impact and gain sustained competitive advantage. After all, your most effective marketing tool–the patient–is right in front of you every day. Nothing is more powerful than patient advocacy. When a client calls your clinic, what experience is that person going to have? Steve Eagon says you are in a position to influence the patient experience and the outcome.
Read More
David Smriga points out that OTC/DTC hearing aids have their place, but for the majority of adults with mild-to-moderate age-related hearing losses, a guided process including fitting verification and auditory rehabilitation is needed to achieve maximum benefit with amplification. Consumers should be directed toward professional care practices that offer these services, not away from them. Read the point-by-point argument against the PCAST’s recent conclusions.
Read More
EarQ has announced changes to its leadership team. Andrew Hebert will now serve as senior vice president, Clifford Carey will step into the new role of vice president of communications, Natalie Phillips, AuD, will be EarQ’s first director of audiology, and Sarah Burtch will assume the role of national sales director.
Read More
Starkey Hearing Technologies is not the subject of any FBI investigation, and the company briefed staff members on Friday, saying “as much as was legally possible about an ongoing Federal investigation” that allegedly centers on one or more of the recently fired top executives.
Read More
Otonomy Inc announced that the FDA has approved OTIPRIO™ for the treatment of pediatric patients with bilateral otitis media with effusion undergoing tympanostomy tube placement.
Read More
Sonova Holding AG announced its results for the first half of fiscal year 2015/16. Consolidated sales increased by 6.7% in local currencies or 1.3% in reported Swiss francs to CHF 1,003.2 million. The Group reported that sales in the US increased by 1.9% in local currency, negatively impacted by the ongoing weakness of its cochlear implants business.
Read More
More than 100 customers and Unitron distributors serving Asia gathered in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for Unitron’s Asian summit, Meet Unitron 2015, held November 18-21. The event focused on global positioning; challenges and opportunities for brand growth in Asia; product innovation; and strategies for in-clinic success and patient engagement.
Read More
Williams Sound has named Media Plus its exclusive commercial sound distribution partner in Tokyo, Japan. Media Plus, established in 2002, is a professional designer and integrator of A/V and video conferencing systems for clients in the government, financial, education, and manufacturing industries in Japan and Asia.
Read More
Clear Digital Media, a digital healthcare marketing company, announced the launch of its redesigned website that offers three waiting room tools designed to drive more patients, improve patient loyalty, and increase clinic profitability.
Read More
The Hear the World Foundation has released a newly completed 2016 calendar featuring star portraits, which will be available this holiday season as gifts for a good cause. The Hear the World 2016 Calendar is a powerful collection of shots photographed by Canadian singer Bryan Adams.
Read More
The Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) kicks off its annual convention on Thursday, November 12, at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Here is a quick look at the events and educational offerings available to attendees.
Read More
IntriCon has purchased PC Werth Ltd of London, one of the UK’s oldest multi-line suppliers of hearing healthcare products and a supplier to the National Health Service (NHS), the world’s largest provider of hearing aids.
Read More
A 23-minute webinar about implementing a layered approach to physician and patient marketing using disease state messaging is now available on-demand. In the webinar Brad Dodson and Robert Tysoe explain how to effectively implement a “Disease State Marketing plan” at your practice and target those physician offices that have patients with high co-morbidity correlations with hearing loss. By using a muti-layered approach that involves both your front office, as well as you and/or your professional staff, the presenters demonstrate how to increase the effectiveness of your physician marketing program.
Read More