Audiological Evaluation
Hearing tests in ENT offices are the most commonly utilized ancillary service providing important diagnostic information for hearing loss, tinnitus, balance, and surgical implications.
In the US, on average, an Otolaryngologist
orders 150 hearing tests per month. However, it often takes three or more weeks to get the patient in for testing.
Nationwide, there is a growing challenge within otolaryngology practices to secure, employ and retain audiologists.
Challenges:
- Time required to graduate an audiologist (7-8 years)
- High level of student debt forcing the audiologist to seek higher compensation within hearing care industry
- More professionally and financially rewarding career paths for audiologists than ENT based practice
- Generally low reimbursement for audiology codes v. cost of employee
This employment challenge causes:
- Longer wait times for patient appointments
- Backlog in audiological testing
- Insufficient staff or time allowed for revenue producing ancillary services e.g., hearing aid consultations
- Lost revenue and decreased patient care
The Solution
Technology, accessing a remote/virtual, licensed audiologist to perform billable comprehensive audiological services. This can be done through patient triage to allow the existing employee audiologist to perform testing on those patients who may present with a more challenging condition or limited capacity to participate in a remote experience. An AIB trained and certified OtoTechTM, who is on your staff (any level extender) may serve as the “hands-on” component of the testing.
How it works
AIB Certified OtoTech, your extender is the hands-on the patient interaction and connects the patient directly to their WebAuD.
The WebAUD conducts the tests remotely with the onsite hands-on assistance of the OtoTech
The WebAuD uploads the results to our portal, where our expert ProReaders generate the final report.
Contracted practice pays a monthly equipment rental fee for the Remote Audiology System (RAS) $795 or may purchase their equipment, approximate cost $21,000.
Contracted ENT practice is charged an hourly rate for WebAuD services. Scheduling in 2-3-4-hour blocks for an opportunity of 5 full tests @ $100 = $500. WebAuD service fee of $72 p/hour
all of these tests are included
Comprehensive Audilogy
CPT 92557
(Medicare national avg. $36)
- Air and Bone conduction
- Spondee Thresholds
- Word Discrimination Scores
- Audiogram and test results in real time
Immittance Testing
CPT 92570
(Medicare national avg. $31)
- Tympanometry
- Stapedial Reflexes
- Reflex decay
Otoacoustic Emissions
CPT 92588
(Medicare national avg. $33)
Hearing Aid Dispensing
For ENT practices wishing to implement or expand hearingaid sales opportunities, WebAuD has a highly efficient andcost-effective program. Let us know how we can help!