Widex Approved Hearing Aid Centre

Here at Connect Hearing we were honoured by Widex when they made us a Widex Approved Dispensing Centre. It means that we have been recognised by Widex for being committed to delivering Patient care and aftercare to a standard that Widex views as accepted best practice. Despite huge technological developments in hearing aids, there is a significantly high proportion of hearing aid users who still report some dissatisfaction with their hearing aids. Studies have indicated that in most cases this dissatisfaction is probably due to 2 factors; the way the hearing aid has been fitted and programmed, and the attentiveness of the aftercare support provided by their hearing centre or hearing aid audiologist.

This issue highlights the fundamental fact that the hearing aid is only a part of your journey to better hearing. The ability of your hearing healthcare professional and the standards and protocol they follow are the key to releasing the full potential of the hearing instrument. Connect Hearing is committed to following the very highest standards of audiological and customer care as specified by Widex.

Commitments To Patient Care

In order to receive this honour and indeed to keep it we have made certain commitments to Patient Care that Widex can and will audit. The commitments we have made are as follows:

Comprehensive, Best Practice Hearing Tests

We commit to taking a comprehensive case history, to perform a thorough otological and audiological evaluation, and quantify any hearing loss. We commit to referring to other professionals where appropriate. We commit to providing an easy to understand explanation of the results of the assessment to the client and any support partner(s). All audiological testing will be carried out to agreed international standards, in an acoustically appropriate environment. All measurement equipment will be calibrated to current standards

Proper Assessment Of The Patient

We commit to assessing client motivation, dexterity, cognitive ability and occupational demands, prior to implementing any agreed management plan.

Proper Assessment Of The Patient's Communication Needs

We commit to identifying client specific communication needs, to assess pre-treatment limitation using appropriate measurement instruments (questionnaires etc.) prior to implementing any agreed management plan.

Proper Selection of Hearing Aids

We commit to selecting hearing instruments and assistive devices based on the individual’s assessment results.

Quality Control of Hearing Aids and Ancillary Equipment

We commit to check all hearing instruments and assistive devices for proper function and performance in advance of the fitting appointment.

Probe Mic Testing 

We commit to use probe microphone measurements to assess appropriate functioning of hearing instruments on the ear, to ensure the fitting is optimised for the client’s requirements. Relevant best practice protocols for Live Speech Mapping are followed.

Proper and Full Instruction

We commit to ensure that clients are provided with the appropriate level of education and training to maximise their benefit from hearing instruments, taking into account all of the results from the assessment process.

Comprehensive Follow Up and Rehab

We commit to provide a comprehensive follow up and rehabilitation programme for every client to mitigate the effects of hearing reduction, and to use tactical strategies and amplification where appropriate.

Assessing Results

We commit to quantify the effects that the individual management plan, and associated treatment have had on the client’s overall communication ability, by revisiting the self-assessment questionnaires administered prior to treatment.

Commitment to Best Practice Hearing Aid Dispensing

We embrace the principles of best practice in Audiology and agree that integrating best practice into our daily work provides a better experience for our clients.

Committed To Further Learning

We understand that Audiology is a field of constant change and innovation and we support the principles of lifelong learning to ensure we are best positioned to implement any future changes. We additionally understand the value of reflective practice and will utilise this in our day-to-day contact with clients.

Committed To Best Service

We agree that maintaining service standards is an essential element of best practice, and we understand and welcome that we may be open to a random audit of our services in the future by Widex or any Representative chosen by them.

These are the comitments we make to Widex and more importantly our Patients. These are the steps we believe we should take to provide the best possible care.