What to Expect When Adding Hearing Tests to Your Optical Practice

Adding hearing tests and related audiology services to an optical practice is an increasingly popular strategy – and for good reason. Vision and hearing are two of our most important senses, and they often decline around the same stage of life. By offering care for both, you transform your practice into a one-stop center for essential sensory health. Many of your patients (especially older adults) may already need hearing care and wish their optician could help – they trust you for eye care, so why not hearing as well? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what to expect when you integrate hearing tests into your optical practice, from preparation and training to patient benefits, operational impacts, and long-term growth.

Why Add Hearing Tests to an Optical Practice?

Integrating hearing care with vision care makes sense on multiple levels. Here are some key reasons practices are embracing this trend:

1. Holistic Patient Care: You can address two essential senses together, improving patients’ overall quality of life. Patients appreciate the convenience of getting both their eyes and ears checked in one place, and it saves them time and effort. This one-stop convenience drives loyalty, as patients are more likely to return to a provider who meets multiple needs at once.

2. Growing Patient Demand: Hearing loss is very common – more people experience hearing loss than any other undiagnosed medical issue. In fact, 1 in 6 UK adults has some level of hearing loss, yet the majority of those who could benefit from hearing aids haven’t gotten them (about 6.7 million untreated cases in the UK alone). By offering hearing tests, you tap into a large unmet need in your patient population. Many patients over 55 already in your exam chair might have untreated hearing issues.

3. Enhanced Revenue Streams: Audiology services can be lucrative for your practice. Hearing aids, for example, are high-ticket items with robust margins, often higher than many optical products. Services like ear wax removal are quick procedures with relatively low overhead and can generate additional revenue. By expanding into hearing care, practices have seen increased revenue-per-patient and new income sources without a proportional increase in costs.

4. Competitive Advantage: Offering hearing care differentiates your optical practice. In regions like the UK, over 50% of hearing aids are sold through optometry/optical practices – it’s become a standard part of full-service eye care. Early-adopting practices position themselves as innovative health providers and can capture patients who would otherwise go elsewhere for hearing services. In short, integrating audiology helps future-proof your business in a changing healthcare market.

5. Greater Patient Loyalty & Referrals: When patients know they can rely on you for both vision and hearing, they’re more likely to stay with your practice long term. You may also attract family referrals – for example, a patient who is thrilled to get their hearing checked at your office might refer an older parent or friend for a hearing test. By serving multiple needs, you strengthen relationships and become the go-to provider for families’ eye andear health.

Planning and Preparation: Getting Started with Audiology Integration

What can you expect in the early stages of adding hearing tests? First, it’s important to plan the integration carefully so it goes smoothly. Typically, the process begins with an assessment of your practice’s needs and goals. Many practices start with a consultation (often with an audiology integration specialist) to map out logistics like space, equipment, and service offerings. For example, at Ear Health Solutions we begin with a detailed consultation to evaluate the practice and create a step-by-step integration plan.

Timeline: Adding hearing testing services doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out project. In fact, most independent optometry/optical clinics can get up and running with basic audiology services in a matter of weeks. A realistic expectation is around 4–6 weeks for initial setup. This includes ordering and installing equipment, completing any necessary room modifications, staff training, and marketing preparations. Because the integration can often be done with minimal construction or downtime (more on that below), you won’t need to close your practice – you can continue seeing eye patients during the setup phase.

Equipment and Space: One of the first things you’ll need is the right equipment for conducting hearing exams. The good news is that audiology equipment has a relatively small footprint. Audiometers (the devices used for hearing tests) are compact and can be used in a standard exam room or a quiet office space. In many cases, you do not need to build a full sound-proof booth; a sound-treated headset in a quiet room can suffice for screenings and basic audiograms. Practices often repurpose an existing exam room or a spare office – audiology services can typically be provided in your current space with minimal adjustments. Aside from the audiometer and headphones, you might acquire a tympanometry unit (for middle-ear checks) and tools for otoscopy (examining the ear canal). If you plan to offer ear wax removal, you’ll need a suction device or irrigation kit, but these are also relatively small and inexpensive. Starting with ear wax removal can actually be an easy entry point – it requires minimal equipment and can generate quick revenue while introducing patients to your new services.

Expect to partner with a reputable supplier or audiology integration service for your equipment. Some integration programs (like those via hearing aid manufacturers or consultants) will assist you in sourcing quality audiometers and even arrange competitive pricing through partnerships with manufacturers. For instance, Ear Health Solutions partners with top hearing aid brands to get clinics good deals on equipment and hearing aid stock. Overall, the investment required (in both money and space) is quite manageable – certainly far less than adding another medical specialty.

Choosing Services to Start: As you plan, decide which hearing services to roll out first. A common approach is to begin with free hearing screenings for adults above a certain age (say 50 or 55) as a courtesy with eye exams. This can be a simple 5-minute test that flags anyone who needs a full evaluation. Full diagnostic hearing tests (audiograms) can be offered by appointment for those who screen positive or who report hearing difficulties. Many optical practices also quickly add hearing aid dispensing – this involves carrying a range of hearing aids (often through a supplier partnership) and offering fittings and sales on-site. Additionally, services like custom hearing protection (e.g. swim plugs, musician earplugs) and earwax removal can be offered depending on your comfort level. You don’t have to launch everything at once; you can start small (even just with wax removal or screenings) and expand as you gain confidence.

Training and Staffing: Who Will Conduct the Hearing Tests?

A crucial aspect of adding hearing services is determining who will provide the care. Optometrists and optical staff are not typically trained in audiology, so you will need to either hire a hearing care professional or get support in training. Here’s what to expect on this front:

1. Hiring an Audiologist or Hearing Aid Dispenser: Many practices choose to bring in a qualified audiologist (or a licensed hearing instrument specialist) to handle hearing tests and hearing aid fittings. This could be a full-time hire in a high-demand practice, but often it starts as a part-time arrangement. You do not necessarily need a full-time audiologist on staff from day one – some consulting programs can help arrange an audiologist to come in a few days a week, or even share an audiologist across multiple locations. This keeps costs flexible and proportional to patient demand. As your hearing services grow, you can scale up the audiologist’s hours. Expect any hired audiologist to be registered and qualified according to your country’s regulations (e.g. HCPC-registered Hearing Aid Dispenser in the UK).

2. Staff Training: In addition to (or in lieu of) hiring a dedicated audiologist, plan to train your existing team on basic audiology workflows. Optical assistants and front-desk staff can be trained to administer simple hearing screenings, perform otoscopy, and handle the administrative side of hearing appointments (booking, follow-ups, etc.). Training typically takes a week or two of focused learning. Your staff will learn how to use the audiometer, how to clean and check ears for wax, how to interact with patients during hearing tests, and how to discuss hearing aid products. With proper training, your team will feel confident offering these new services. Many integration providers include comprehensive staff training as part of the package. By upskilling your team, you ensure that adding hearing tests doesn’t overwhelm your workflow – instead, it becomes a natural extension of the care you already provide.

3. Minimal Impact on Current Team: A common concern is that adding a new service will create extra work for you and your staff. In reality, with the right support, the additional workload is quite manageable. Industry experts have noted that integrating hearing care can require “almost no additional work from your team” when done efficiently. Much of the process can be handled by the audiologist or during downtime in the optical schedule. For example, while patients’ eyes are dilating, a quick hearing screening can be done. Or if you dedicate one day a week as a “Hearing Clinic Day” with a specialist in-house, your core staff’s routine on other days remains unchanged. Expect a brief adjustment period as everyone learns the new routines, but after that, many practices find the audiology side runs in parallel with the optical side without straining their resources.

Operational Integration: Fitting Hearing Tests into Your Workflow

One of the biggest practical questions is how hearing services will fit into your day-to-day operations. You might be wondering if this will slow down your clinic or require major changes to scheduling. The reassuring news: integrating audiology can be very efficient with a bit of planning.

1. Scheduling Appointments: You can organize hearing appointments in a way that complements your eye exam schedule. Some practices intersperse hearing tests between eye exams throughout the day; others block specific times or days for hearing services. For instance, you might initially offer hearing test slots on two afternoons per week. Because hearing tests can often be done in 30–45 minutes, they can slot into your schedule without much disruption. It’s also possible to double-book in a coordinated way – e.g. an optometrist sees a patient for an eye exam while, in the next room, an audiologist sees a different patient for a hearing test. With proper staffing, your clinic can serve two patient needs simultaneously. Many clinics find that by optimizing scheduling, they can maintain a smooth patient flow even as they add services.
2. Space and Infrastructure: As noted earlier, you generally don’t need a huge space for hearing care. A standard exam lane or a small quiet room works. You’ll want to ensure the environment is reasonably quiet during hearing testing – so if your optical shop is noisy, consider doing tests in a back room. But beyond that, no special construction is usually necessary. Use existing infrastructure whenever possible. For example, you could conduct hearing tests in your pre-test room or an office that’s free. Ear Health Solutions reports that most audiology services can be offered in existing exam rooms, meaning minimal space requirements and no major renovations. This is a relief for many practice owners worried about cost and downtime.
3. Workflow and Process: Initially, you might need to adjust a few internal processes. Expect to incorporate new patient intake questions about hearing health, add a consent form for hearing tests or wax removal, and integrate audiology into your patient record system (if using practice management software, you might add fields for audiograms or hearing aid info). These are minor tweaks. With training, your reception and technician staff will smoothly handle these steps. If you’re using an electronic health record, you might create a template for documenting hearing evaluations. Overall, after an initial learning curve, the day-to-day workflow impact is minimal – many tasks (like cleaning equipment or restocking batteries for hearing aids) can be done by staff during existing gaps in the day.
4. Maintaining Efficiency: To keep things running efficiently, lean on the expertise of your audiology provider or consultant. They can advise on optimised scheduling strategies and share best practices from other optical practices that have integrated hearing. One tip is to cluster related appointments: for example, schedule a patient’s eye exam and hearing test back-to-back (if they need both) so they don’t have to come on two separate days. Another tip is to use your existing patient flow to trigger hearing services – for instance, when a patient reaches a certain age or mentions trouble hearing, automatically offer a hearing screening at the end of their eye exam. By building hearing care into your routine, it becomes second nature for staff and patients alike.

Patient Experience and Reception

When adding hearing tests, one important consideration is how your patients will respond. The experience you create for patients can determine the success of your new venture. Here’s what to expect and how to make it positive:

1. Patient Education: Initially, many of your existing patients might not even realize you offer hearing services. Be prepared to educate them. This can start with subtle changes – for example, signage in your office (“Now Offering Hearing Exams”) or a note on your website. During eye exams, your optometrists or staff can mention, “By the way, we now provide hearing checks. Would you like a quick screening today?” Don’t be surprised if patients express pleasant surprise – convenience is a big draw. Patients value comprehensive care and often appreciate the chance to address hearing and vision together. Emphasize that it’s about overall wellness: hearing checks are a normal part of healthy aging, just like vision checks.
2. Offering Free Screenings: A highly effective way to introduce the service is by offering free hearing screenings. For example, you could provide a free basic hearing test to every patient over 55 who comes for an eye exam. This lowers the barrier for patients – they’re more likely to take a test if it’s complimentary and convenient. Many independent opticians who successfully added audiology started with free hearing tests as a community offering. It not only helps patients but also generates leads for potential hearing aid sales (if the screening finds issues). When you do a screening, have a clear process: if the patient “fails” or shows signs of hearing loss, you can then schedule a full diagnostic test or free consultation with your audiologist later on. This two-step approach (screen everyone, then follow up with those who need it) is non-intrusive and effective.
3. Patient Trust and Comfort: Expect that some patients will feel instantly at ease utilizing your hearing services – after all, they already trust your practice for eye care. This trust carries over. Others might be a bit hesitant, as acknowledging hearing loss can be emotional for some people. Train your staff to be sensitive and encouraging. Reinforce the message that getting hearing tested is as routine as checking blood pressure or vision. Share facts with patients: for instance, untreated hearing loss can impact overall health and even cognitive function (studies show a link between hearing loss and increased risk of dementia if left unaddressed). With proper counseling, patients typically respond very positively, grateful that you are looking out for all aspects of their health. Many will say things like, “I’ve been meaning to get my hearing checked; I’m so glad I can do it here with you.”
4. Smooth Experience: The hearing test process itself is straightforward and comfortable for patients. A typical hearing evaluation involves sitting in a chair with headphones on and responding to tones – it’s painless and non-invasive. You can assure patients that it only takes around 20-30 minutes. If you’ve hired a dedicated audiologist, make sure they are introduced warmly as part of your team. From the patient’s perspective, the audiologist or hearing specialist should feel like an integrated member of the practice (even if they are there part-time). Continuity of care is key; for example, you might have the audiologist communicate their findings to the optometrist so that at the end of the visit, the patient gets a sense that the providers are working together. This leaves a strong impression of comprehensive care.

Marketing Your New Hearing Services

To make your investment in hearing services pay off, you’ll want to spread the word. Adding hearing tests is newsworthy for your practice – both to existing patients and to your wider community. Here’s what to expect in terms of marketing and growth:

1. Rebranding and Signage: If “Optical” or “Vision” is in your practice name, you might consider subtly rebranding to encompass hearing. This could be as simple as adding a tagline (e.g., “Eye & Ear Care”) or incorporating an ear-related graphic in your logo. It signals to everyone that you offer more than just eye exams. Internally, update your in-office brochures and posters to include hearing health information. At 100% Optical (a major industry event), many independent opticians learned that effective rebranding and marketing support are key to a smooth audiology launch. If you partner with an integration service, they often provide marketing materials and guidance so you can promote your new offerings confidently.
2. Website and Online Presence: Update your website to feature your hearing services prominently. Dedicate a page to “Hearing Care” or “Audiology Services” where you explain what you offer (hearing tests, hearing aids, etc.) and why patients will benefit. Incorporate patient-friendly keywords like “hearing test near me” and “hearing aids in [Your City]” – this helps local people searching online find your practice. Ensure you have clear calls-to-action online, such as a “Book a Hearing Test” button or a note that patients can book a free consultation to discuss hearing needs. Simplifying online booking and having visible contact options will increase uptake of the service. Don’t forget to update your Google Business Profile to list hearing services, so that anyone Googling hearing help in your area sees your practice listed.
3. Community Outreach: Traditional marketing goes a long way for hearing services, especially with older adults. You might host a “Hearing Open Day” event, where people can drop in for free screenings or demonstrations of the latest hearing aid technology. Consider reaching out to local senior centers or community groups – offering a free educational talk on hearing health or doing off-site screenings can generate goodwill and referrals. Your goal is to let your community know that your optical practice is now a hearing health destination as well.
4. Cross-Promotion: Leverage your existing patient base. When you send out reminder letters or emails for eye exams, include a note about the new hearing services (“We now offer hearing checks – call us to schedule yours!”). If you have a newsletter, feature a success story of a patient who got a hearing aid through your office and how it improved their life. Word-of-mouth will grow as more patients have positive experiences. Also, encourage patients who use your hearing service to leave reviews or testimonials, just as they might for your eye care – seeing social proof of improved hearing can motivate others to act.

By thoughtfully marketing your audiology services, you should expect a steady increase in hearing appointments over time. Many practices see a snowball effect: a few patients get hearing aids and rave about them, which brings in friends and spouses, and so on. Moreover, you may attract new patients who initially come for hearing and then also become optical customers – a nice reverse synergy.

Long-Term Benefits: Health Outcomes and Practice Growth

Once your hearing testing service is up and running, what can you expect in the longer term? There are significant benefits both for your patients’ health outcomes and for your practice’s success:

1. Improved Patient Outcomes: By screening and addressing hearing loss early, you help patients avoid the serious consequences of untreated hearing loss. Research has linked untreated hearing loss to problems like cognitive decline and social isolation. By getting patients on the path to better hearing (through aids or interventions), you’re contributing positively to their overall well-being – not just their hearing. Patients who hear better often experience improved mood, better communication with family, and greater safety (e.g. hearing alarms or traffic). This reinforces your role as a healthcare provider improving quality of life.

2. Stronger Patient Relationships: Offering dual services allows you to deepen the patient-provider relationship. You’ll see some patients more frequently (perhaps annually for eye exams and annually for hearing checks, offset by six months if staggered). Every touchpoint is another opportunity to strengthen trust. Patients often feel grateful that you “looked out for” an issue (hearing loss) that they might not have addressed otherwise. This kind of goodwill translates to loyalty and positive reviews. As one article put it, when a family trusts you with both their hearing and vision needs, they are far more likely to refer others and stick with your practice. Expect retention rates to rise when you add comprehensive care.

3. Financial Growth and Stability: In the long run, hearing services can become a substantial revenue pillar for your practice. Hearing aid sales in particular can boost your profitability – not only do they have healthy margins, but they also create ongoing revenue through follow-up care, accessories, and replacement devices every few years. Ancillary products like hearing aid batteries or assistive listening devices can add incremental sales as well. If you price your services well and offer competitive hearing aid options, you’ll capture business that might otherwise have gone to outside audiology clinics. Over time, having multiple income streams (optical product sales, vision services, hearing services) makes your practice more resilient to market changes. For example, if one segment faces a downturn, the other can buffer it. Many optometry practices have found that audiology integration strengthens overall practice revenue and valuation.

4. Professional Fulfillment: Don’t underestimate the satisfaction that can come from diversifying your care. Optometrists often remark on how rewarding it is to help someone hear clearly for the first time in years. It adds a new dimension to your practice’s impact on people’s lives. Your team may also enjoy learning new skills and celebrating patient “wow” moments, such as the first day a patient wears their new hearing aids. This can energize your practice culture.

5. Staying Ahead of Healthcare Trends: The integration of vision and hearing care is seen by many as the future of community healthcare. Demographic trends (aging populations) and patient expectations (convenience and comprehensive service) are driving this change. By adding hearing tests now, you position your practice as a leader in this movement. You’ll accumulate experience and reputation in dual sensory care that others might scramble to catch up with later. Essentially, you’re future-proofing your clinic by broadening its scope. In a few years, having combined eye and ear services might be the norm – and you’ll be glad you started early.

Conclusion: A Sound Investment in Your Practice’s Future

Integrating hearing tests into your optical practice is a win–win proposition. Patients receive more complete care for two critical senses, and your practice benefits from new revenue streams, enhanced loyalty, and a competitive edge. The process of adding audiology services – from planning, to training, to workflow adjustments – is very achievable with the proper guidance. Most importantly, you’ll be meeting a real need in the community: helping the many people with untreated hearing issues who might otherwise slip through the cracks.

If you’re ready to explore adding hearing services, start by assessing your patient base and resources, then take advantage of expert help available. With a supportive integration partner, you can have audiology up and running in a matter of weeks, not months. The experience of countless optometrists has shown that the effort pays off richly in practice growth and patient satisfaction.

Take the next step towards a more vibrant, multi-service practice. If you’d like personalized advice on how to implement hearing care in your clinic, you can always Book a free consultation with our team. We’ll guide you on what to expect and how to make the process smooth and successful. Embracing hearing healthcare in your optical practice is more than just adding a service – it’s about elevating your standard of care and ensuring your patients see and hear a brighter future ahead.