Maximizing Telemedicine During the Pandemic Helped Keep Patient Connections Strong
The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a new level of precautions across health care and beyond. Masks, physical distancing, visitor restrictions, personal protective equipment, enhanced cleaning and disinfection, infection screenings, curbside services, and other steps marked the new reality everywhere — including hospitals, offices, and clinics.
Could a hearing care practice stay connected to patients amid these heightened protocols? Leveraging telemedicine helped Tobias & Battite do just that. In a TV news interview picked up by outlets including NBC and ABC affiliates, our own Dr. Brian Fligor, clinic audiologist-in-chief and president, showed how telemedicine made a difference.
Rise of Telemedicine
Telemedicine — also called “telehealth” — has been around for years. Through telecommunications and internet technology, it allows patients and providers to connect for a health care appointment without necessarily meeting in person. Patients can communicate with members of their care team by phone or video, safely and securely send and receive messages, have certain aspects of their health monitored for progress, and more.
COVID accelerated use of telemedicine. With the need for distancing and other safety measures, telemedicine options were timelier than ever. Advances such as mobile health apps, secure video-conferencing platforms, expanded telemedicine insurance coverage, and increased societal acceptance helped further normalize the practice.
Telehealth at Tobias & Battite
Well before the pandemic, Dr. Fligor was using 3D ear-scanning technology by Lantos Technologies. The fast, minimally invasive system digitally maps a patient’s ear, making it easier to customize hearing aids, earplugs, and other instruments for optimal comfort, stability, and performance. It would eventually play a big role in remote patient care at the clinic.
As COVID social distancing and other enhanced safety measures became routine, Dr. Fligor’s earlier adoption of 3D ear scanning offered convenience and peace of mind. Once the patient’s ear was digitally mapped, many issues could be handled remotely. Both patient and provider could access the digital files to facilitate device orders, adjustments, and other needs while saving the patient a trip to the office.
Continued Innovation
Tobias & Battite continues to offer 3D ear scanning, providing custom devices and earmolds made to fit you exactly. We’re proud to be the first clinic in Boston to use the system, a faster and more comfortable approach than earmold impressions. It’s part of our commitment to serve you with expertise, advanced technology, and proven practices that help you hear and live your best.
You can learn even more about the Lantos 3D Ear Scanning System on our website. We discuss how the technology works and explain some of the key benefits. Plus, you can hear directly from patients who’ve experienced the process firsthand. Their inspiring videos highlight how life-changing the innovative technology can be.
Whether you have questions about our approaches to care or would like to schedule a free communication needs assessment, please don’t wait. Contact our expert team today. We’re HEAR to help!