Otologic technicians: how can they fit into your practice?

As we approach the third anniversary of the launch of the Certificate Program for Otolaryngology Personnel (CPOP), it is appropriate both to look at the progress of the program and to assess the benefits related to utilization of OTO Techs in the actual practice situation. During the past 3 years, we have trained roughly 275 candidates at six locations. We have had the opportunity to review and catalog the activities of our graduates in the workplace. I would like to present an overview of current and possible activities of the otologic technician.

When testing, the otologic technician functions most efficiently as an extender of the audiologist/physician. The otologic technician typically performs audiograms, tympanograms, otoacoustic emissions, and electronystagmogram/videonystagmogram setups in an otolaryngologist's office. He or she can act as the person primarily responsible to cover clinical audiologic needs or can serve as an additional tester when volume necessitates. In most circumstances, the audiologist is present and performing other duties while the otologic technician is testing. This allows immediate consultation if necessary.

As the technician gains experience and the physician's and audiologist's comfort level allows, the technician can work on his or her own in a variety of settings, providing an array of services. In addition to routine audiologic testing, these technicians are ideal for performing industrial screening and can participate in hearing conservation programs. They can handle the administrative responsibilities, as well as recruiting additional contracts. Their administrative abilities extend to running schedules for the audiologists and themselves, as well as managing the logistics of hearing aid dispensing programs. They track orders, run battery programs, keep track of marketing efforts, and maintain supply inventories. This allows dispensing audiologists considerably more time to concentrate on rehabilitation activities consistent with their training, rather than on support activities.

Technicians can also be trained to clean hearing aids, replace wax guards, perform minor hearing aid repairs, and send off hearing aids for repair. One of the most important additions to our practice is the ability for technicians to provide audiologic testing at our satellite offices and provide vacation coverage for our audiologists. We can avoid any significant disruption of services and maintain same-day convenience for our patients.

While the OTO Tech is carrying out the more basic services and administrative duties, the audiologist is freed to perform more complex services, such as hearing aid fittings, cochlear implant rehabilitation, balance therapy, and auditory brainstem responses. This has resulted in increased job satisfaction for the audiologist because of more appropriate utilization of his or her higher-level skills and training. In our practice the audiologists have been able to spend more time on aural rehabilitation, and hearing aid sales have dramatically increased.

The patients have enjoyed the additional attention that they have received. Physicians have been able to expand services in terms of hearing aid dispensing, patient education, and industrial hearing screening and education. Otologic technicians have become extremely valued and respected members of our team.

JAMES C. DENNENY III, MD, FACS 

Founder and Chair, CPOP Committee

President-Elect, AAO-HNS