Achieving better hearing requires much more than great technology; it requires a long-term relationship with somebody that has helped hundreds of others to achieve the outcome that you’re looking for.
It needs somebody that can be by your side for the long haul, deliver on their promises, and have the protocols/plans in place to ensure that no matter what happens in the world, you remain the center focus of theirs.
The problem is, in today’s world, it’s more difficult than ever to enter a long-term relationship with a small business.
- If you watch the news, you’ll hear about the droves of small businesses that have closed due to COVID
- If you travel to downtown Olympia, you’ll see the deserted stores that were once hustling and bustling.
- And if you read the latest report by YELP, you’ll have read that over 100,000 establishments have closed since the pandemic began
What this all means is that choosing who to partner with for your hearing health needs requires extra consideration, and you need the confidence that they won’t be here today and gone tomorrow, like so many other small businesses.
That’s why, in this article, I want to share some of the biggest lessons we learned from the pandemic and the steps we have taken to ensure that we can deliver on our long-term promises to you and the hundreds of local people that trust us for all their hearing healthcare needs.
The Lessons From The Pandemic
In March 2020, the world stood still as a largely unknown virus spread throughout every corner of the globe.
Within a few days, everything changed, and the way in which I’ve been delivering hearing care throughout my career was turned on its head.
The pandemic forced us to think on our feet, devise new ways to do things, and understand how we could provide quality care remotely.
It resulted in us utilizing technology like never before and implementing protocols to keep patients safe without losing the critical “human” part of delivering premium hearing care.
It took a lot of work and a lot of sleepless nights, but we ensured that patients remained the core focus of every decision whilst also ensuring that we could continue delivering on our promises.
It also taught us a huge number of lessons and ensured that we built protocols into our business to ensure that we’re prepared for whatever happens next.
If a situation similar to the pandemic ever happens again – or a local stay-at-home order is reinforced (although I’m sure you’ll join me in hoping this will never be the case!) – we’re happy to tell you that we have an emergency plan that we can immediately action that includes:
Implementation of stay-at-home protocols
- A hearing health hotline being available for all patients
- A home delivery service for all supplies
- Remote care protocols to provide counseling and adjustments
- Masked curbside appointments to be available
- Utilization of technology to communicate (website and voicemail).
These steps mean that we have plans in place, no matter what is thrown at us.
To stay up to date with the latest CDC government guidelines in your county, please use the CDC tool below.
Looking At The Future
South Sound Audiology was started during the recession in 2007-2009 – it meant that planning ahead, making smart financial decisions, and protecting the future of the business has always remained key.
One of the ways we continue to do this is by constantly looking for better ways to provide hearing care relevant to the current world we live in by embracing new technology and interacting it with patient care needs.
This continued pursuit for better, coupled with making patient preferences a priority, means our promise is to be here for you for the long haul.
If you’re considering who to partner with for your hearing health care and want to ensure that you choose somebody that has your back, both now and forever, I sincerely hope that this article supports you in your decision.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your circumstances, then call us at (360) 464-9780.
