The Vision Hearing Alliance

An Optometry & Audiology Collaboration

Over 40-million Americans have hearing loss, the majority of which are untreated due to the cost and limited access of hearing aids. Realizing this, the federal government introduced the Food and Drug Administration Reauthorization Act of 2017, which includes the Over-The-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Act designed to provide greater public accessibility and affordability in hearing care. This allows for hearing aids designed for mild-to-moderate loss to be dispensed outside of the traditional audiology practice.

With similar business models as audiologists, and OTC aids increasing affordability, optical practices are poised to benefit from hearing aid sales. The number of eye care professionals exceed hearing care professionals by as much as 6 to 1, making eye care practices prime candidates to provide basic hearing care services and increase availability for millions of Americans. With decades of experience in optometry and audiology, our consultants apply streamlined processes to simplify the integration of hearing care.

Consider The Connection

Consider this: For every level on the vision chart a patient over the age of 50 goes, they are approximately 18% more likely to have a hearing loss. Vision and hearing care often overlap due to a common disease source or syndrome. Co-management by two doctors is common, but for less severe conditions including mild to moderate hearing loss, a certified optometrist or assistant can help. In cases where the loss exceeds moderate, or if abnormalities are discovered, a referral to one of our audiology partners is necessary. Examining the ear for wax, basic hearing screenings, and hearing aid fittings for mild to moderate hearing loss are generally within the scope of a nonspecialized, but trained professional.

Eye and Ear Synergy

Medical and educational institutions have held eye and ear professions in close collaboration for decades. Examples of such synergy include: Princeton Eye & Ear, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, New York Eye & Ear, Dallas Eye & Ear, Eye & Ear Hospital International, Eye & Ear Hospital Melbourne, The Eye & Ear Foundation, Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, UI Eye & Ear Infirmary, Confluence Eye & Ear, Ohio State Eye & Ear Institute, Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary, Eye & Ear Institute of UPMC, and St Louis University Sight & Sound Center.

Packaged Success

We package success in hearing care. Packages differ in level of technology and support offered. Packages include:

Equipment

Hearing test equipment range from self-administered testing by a patient in your waiting room, to clinical-level automated audiometers best operated by a partnered audiologist.

Collaboration

Select your level of collaboration with local or industry audiologists and dispensers. Build upon a collaboration with audiology professionals to champion hearing healthcare.

Certification

Recognize the signs and symptoms of hearing loss. Assess the individual’s need for, and provide fitting of over-the-counter hearing devices.

Marketing

We provide promotional materials and displays for your reception area. We also specializes in all forms of online marketing including: SEO, social, and web design.

With revenue up to 30% of annual eye care earnings, practice owners can expect to recover their initial investment from their first 2 hearing aid sales. With a high ROI and low entry cost, we guarantee your success through our streamlined onboarding programs or your money back.

CALL: 1-(888)-4EYEEAR