COVID-19 checklist for hearing clinics

The COVID-19 outbreak is creating a new normal. Social distancing measures, travel restrictions and concern for the health of our family and friends has transformed daily routines. 

For hearing clinics, this new normal means that in-person appointments, tests and care are not as preferable for many of their patients (if not restricted). 

Here are four suggestions for hearing clinics to continue providing hearing care during the pandemic – when social distancing and working from home are the new normal. Use this guide to take meaningful action today that will help your business – during and after the pandemic. 

Communicate with your patients

Let your patients know what to expect from your hearing clinic during the COVID-19 outbreak. Make it clear what types of care and services you are offering.

Go beyond “we’re here for you”

Use your communications to outline the specific changes you have made to be there for your patients. Provide the details how your patients can continue getting the supplies or service that they depend on.


Go beyond the standard “we’re here for you” by answering the common questions that your patients will have:


- Is your clinic still accepting in-person appointments? If so, appointments for what type of services?

- Have your hours changed?

- Have you updated your protocols? 

- What are you doing about previously scheduled appointments?

- What are your options for purchasing supplies and batteries?


Update your local search information

The first place that people will look for information is a Google search. Be sure to update your local search information (such as through Google My Business) so existing and new patients know when you’re open and how to contact you.

- Update your hours

- Ensure all contact information is accurate and confirm there is a website URL

- If your profile allows, add a COVID-19 update


Update your website

The website is your main hub for all communications. Many patients will go directly to the website for updates and find the options to contact your clinic. 

Create a FAQ page or a blog post with all COVID-19 related information, and update this page whenever there are changes. Link to this page using a universal banner or pop-up.


Adjust your marketing

During the COVID-19 outbreak, it is no longer business-as-usual. Adjust your marketing to match the services and care that your hearing clinic is offering, and then prepare for re-opening with creative campaigns.


Focus on digital campaigns

People may be staying at home more, but they are still searching for products and services on their phones and computers.  Digital campaigns (such as PPC advertising) can be an effective way to connect with new patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. Many digital campaigns are being pulled back (or stopped completely), so this may be an opportunity to be visible when your competitors are withdrawing.


Offer digital services

Even when in-person appointments are permitted, many people may prefer to reduce non-essential contact. Digital sales and services can benefit your patients during the pandemic and afterwards. They can also contribute to streamlined operations to save your team time.


Set up an e-shop

An e-commerce store will make it easy for your patients to get the hearing aid accessories, batteries and supplies that they need. To ease the setup, focus on the products that are essential or popular – such as batteries.


Provide video appointments

Through video chats, you can still offer consultations for new patients and support for existing patients. These online conversations are not a complete replacement for in-person appointments, but they provide convenient appointments. There are a variety of platforms to set up video appointments. To simplify the process for your patients, we recommend using a video service for medical clinics. There are options that abide by medical privacy laws while being extremely simple for patients to use.

 

Be creative

People still need help with their hearing. Your hearing clinic can offer creative solutions that benefit your patients and community. Every business has a unique situation, but here’s a few ideas for hearing clinics during the pandemic.


Offer delivery of batteries

Doorstep delivery eases the challenge to find and get hearing aid batteries. You can write a quick thank-you note to personalize the order.


Check in with your patients

A simple phone call or email can let your patients know that you’re available if they need any support with their hearing. And for many people stuck at home, a conversation can be very meaningful.


Optimize your operations

Use this time to review and optimize the operations of your hearing clinic. If you’ve been considering any process changes, now’s a good time to get it done. 

Guide to local search for hearing clinics

July 23, 2020
When looking for information on local businesses, 4 out of 5 people rely on search engines. And these types of searches are on the rise – searches for businesses “near me” or “close by” increased over 900% in two years.   This type of search is called “local search.” It is similar to normal search, but the results are focused on a specific location.   Local search is powerful for consumers, as it helps us find products and services in our community.   And it is powerful for businesses. Local search makes it possible for your hearing clinic to show up when someone searches for “hearing clinic close by” – and you don’t need to compete against every hearing clinic around the world for a top spot.   You just need to be better than the hearing clinics in your region.   Here is what hearing clinic owners and marketing teams can do to help their clinic show up in local search results.   What is local search   Local search is just like normal search, but the results are filtered according to a location.   When someone wants to learn more information about how ears work, the geographic location of the information isn’t too important. But when searching for a local business, the desired location is essential for accurate results.   Two types of local searches Let’s say someone is looking for a nearby hearing clinic. They will likely search one of two types of phrases:   “hearing clinic” + Location “hearing clinic near me” or even just “hearing clinic”   Even when the location isn’t specified within the query, search engines will assume you’re looking for a local hearing clinic.   People tend to add a specific location when they are searching for something in a place where they are not currently at. And people assume that just “hearing clinics” will bring up results for locations around them.   What local search looks like You’ve seen local search results when looking up the nearest gas station on your phone or searching for your next meal. Google shows local search results in Google Maps or in integrated boxes within normal search results.  

Local search during the pandemic (guide for hearing clinics)

By Matthew Dean • April 22, 2020
When it comes to trends in digital marketing, the first place to look is Google Trends. By displaying the relative volume of searches over the past year, Google Trends provides valuable insights for all types of business, including hearing clinics. Most notably – are people still searching for hearing clinics during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Preparing to re-open your hearing clinic after COVID-19

By Matthew Dean • April 22, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is full of uncertainty. When one question is answered, there is a series of new questions that follows. As we approach or go beyond the peak, the main question on everyone’s mind is: when will we go back to normal? That question will have a different response for every region, and many questions arise even if there is a set date. Consider the questions that people have about your clinic: - Is your clinic open? - Are you scheduling appointments? - Do you have the supplies or batteries that I need in stock? - Should I wear a mask during my appointment? Where do people go to answer these questions? There’s a good chance they will do a simple Google search to find the answers. As your community prepares to resume to normal (or if it’s already on its way), here’s some suggestions to help people find the answers they are looking for. If you can provide some answers amidst all the uncertainty, you will be able to better connect with your community.