This conversation was originally published in April 2022. From University of Pittsburgh, audiologist Elaine Mormer and pharmacist Lucas Berenbrok say over-the-counter hearing aids could create new opportunities for both professions. They say it’s important for pharmacists to be able to spot hearing health “red flags.” Find out why, and how that help spurs more referrals to audiologists.
No actionable clinical change; this is an opinion podcast proposing interdisciplinary collaboration, not presenting clinical trial data.
Formalising pharmacist–audiologist collaboration could improve appropriate referral pathways as OTC hearing aids become widely available in retail pharmacy settings.
- 01Argues pharmacists are strategically positioned to be frontline allies for OTC hearing aid users.
- 02Proposes interdisciplinary collaboration between audiologists and pharmacists.
- 03Authors include both a University of Pittsburgh audiologist and a pharmacist.
- 04No clinical evidence presented; content is advocacy and opinion.
- 05Relevant for clinic owners and audiologists thinking about referral networks.
Pharmacists should be informed allies for audiologists given OTC hearing aid availability in pharmacy settings.
opinionpartially supportedOTC hearing aids create new interdisciplinary opportunities between audiology and pharmacy.
opinionpartially supported
