Dr., Product and Sales Specialist at HearUSA: Advize Career Interview
A career in audiology offers a path combining medical expertise with fulfilling patient interaction. Initial interest in the medical field led to a doctorate in Audiology, followed by experience in private practice.
A Product and Sales Specialist at HearUSA, this professional performs comprehensive hearing care, from testing and diagnosis to fitting and adjusting hearing aids.
A typical day involves patient appointments, administrative tasks, and community outreach. Strong interpersonal skills, effective communication, and meticulous record-keeping are vital.
The most rewarding aspect is improving patients' lives by restoring hearing, with the resulting positive impact on family connections highlighted.
Challenges include educating consumers about the differences between professional and over-the-counter hearing aids.
A balanced schedule is essential to avoid burnout, and building strong patient relationships, leading to referrals, is crucial for success.
While a doctorate is required for audiology, entry-level positions like hearing aid dispensing or audiology assistant are available for undergraduate students.
A key lesson learned emphasizes personalized care and the significant role of patient relationships in driving career success.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Dr. Sneha Hinduja
Product and Sales Specialist
HearUSA
Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped
University at Buffalo - Doctor of Audiology, UCLA Anderson School of Management - MBA
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Medical, Sciences & Related
Healthcare
Sales and Client Management
None Applicable
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Career Path of an Audiologist at a Private Practice
Initially drawn to the medical field, the interviewee's interest shifted to audiology after observing their cousin's work in speech-language pathology and audiology. Following a doctorate in Audiology at Buffalo University and an internship at Central Michigan University, the interviewee's career progressed through private practice in Maryland, then California, where they currently enjoy their work in Orange County.
Main Responsibilities of a Hearing Care Professional at HearUSA
Dr.'s main responsibilities as a Product and Sales Specialist at HearUSA center on providing "Hearing Care to adults," encompassing hearing tests, diagnosis, hearing aid fitting, and follow-up adjustments. Beyond direct patient care, the professional also contributes to practice growth through marketing and community outreach.
A Day in the Life of a Product and Sales Specialist at HearUSA
A day in the life of a Product and Sales Specialist at HearUSA involves significant variability, with appointment lengths ranging from "30 minutes to two hours" depending on patient needs and required hand-holding. In addition to patient interaction, the role includes administrative tasks like ordering devices and charting, with Fridays often dedicated to community outreach, marketing contributions, or catching up on other work.
Most Important Skills for a Product and Sales Specialist at HearUSA
Dr. , a Product and Sales Specialist at HearUSA, emphasizes the crucial role of strong interpersonal skills in navigating the sensitive nature of hearing loss, joking that audiologists are "marriage counselors" due to the frequent need to mediate disagreements between spouses. Effective communication, including adapting speech to accommodate older patients and meticulous charting to comply with HIPAA, are also vital components of the job.
Favorite Parts of Being a Product and Sales Specialist at HearUSA
Dr. finds the most rewarding aspect of their role as a Product and Sales Specialist at HearUSA to be "helping people hear better" and the resulting improved connections with family and environment. Hearing patient testimonials, such as "I don't have to have the TV as loud anymore," or a patient rediscovering household sounds previously unheard for years, highlights the profound impact of their work and makes the job deeply gratifying.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Product and Sales Specialist at HearUSA
Dr.'s biggest challenge as a Product and Sales Specialist at HearUSA is educating consumers about the differences between personalized hearing aids dispensed by audiologists and those purchased online or over-the-counter, especially given the recent changes in the industry and the new over-the-counter hearing aid bill. This challenge stems from the rising availability of cheaper hearing aids online, which often lack the personalized fitting and adjustments provided by a professional.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Hearing Aid Industry As A Product And Sales Specialist
Dr. enjoys the rewarding experience of "being able to help people" and improve their quality of life through healthcare. The integration of emerging technology, such as "hearing aids that can be paired to your phone," makes their role in the hearing industry particularly exciting.
What type of person thrives in the healthcare industry, according to a Product and Sales Specialist at HearUSA
Dr. emphasizes the importance of a "balanced schedule" in the healthcare industry, noting the emotionally taxing nature of patient care and the need for time outside of direct patient interaction to avoid burnout. Building relationships with repeat patients, leading to referrals and a rewarding career, is also highlighted as crucial for success.
What a Product and Sales Specialist at HearUSA Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Hearing Aid Industry
Dr. revealed that, while fitting patients with hearing aids seems straightforward, long-term patient satisfaction requires "a lot of work" due to the variability of hearing loss. The most valuable lesson learned was the importance of "personalized care" and taking the time to understand each patient's unique needs.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Product and Sales Specialists at HearUSA
While a doctorate is required for audiology, entry-level opportunities exist for undergraduate students; "in the state of California, anybody that has a high school diploma can get a hearing aid dispensing license," allowing for patient care and hearing device fitting, or one could work as an "Audiology assistant" supporting an audiologist in a private practice.
Significant Career Lesson From A Product And Sales Specialist At HearUSA
Dr. , a Product and Sales Specialist at HearUSA, emphasizes the significance of building "strong relationships with patients" in driving success, particularly through word-of-mouth referrals which are "the most important" in a private practice setting. Good patient care, resulting in positive reviews, is key to "move[ing] your brand forward."
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