Gold Level Standards

To be recognized as a Hearing Empowered clinic, a practice must demonstrate a clear commitment to clinical precision, relational care, and shared values. This includes how technology is chosen, how care is delivered, and how trust is built with every patient interaction.

High-fidelity hearing care is the foundation of everything we do. It values accuracy, nuance, and personalization in both sound delivery and clinical relationship. The goal is clarity, spatial awareness, and rich, natural sound that integrates into daily life.

In the context of Hearing Empowered, high-fidelity care includes:

• Precision fittings tailored to real-life listening environments
• Technology worn with intention as a modern tool for confidence and connection
• Relational care, where audiologists listen fully and fit with purpose
• Ongoing support that strengthens trust, participation, and long-term outcomes
• Transparent recommendations grounded in each person’s true needs and goals

This approach supports evidence-informed outcomes across the full patient journey. Campaigns are designed to reinforce gold-standard clinical care.

Hearing Empowered is a trust-building system that connects people, advanced hearing technology, and independent audiology clinics committed to excellence. When someone is ready to optimize their hearing, this system connects them with expert care that meets the moment across medical, relational, and cultural dimensions.

These Gold Standards protect trust. They ensure every clinic in our network operates with integrity, clinical expertise, and a relationship-first approach. This national model reflects independent audiology at its best: professionals who know their craft, understand their patients, and provide meaningful, personalized support.

This structure guides people toward connection. It reinforces best practices and supports the reputations of every brand and clinic involved. All campaigns follow the licensed scope of practice of our audiology partners.

This is hearing care rooted in the human experience. These standards support that commitment.

Hearing Empowered Clinic Criteria

Clinics must meet the following criteria to be recognized as a Hearing Empowered partner:

1. Clinician Ownership and Leadership

• Clinic is independently owned and operated by a registered audiologist with no complaints registered with their respective governing bodies.
• The lead audiologist is active in patient care and decision-making

2. Clinical Precision

• Follows best practices including Real Ear Measurement, Speech-in-Noise testing, and full verification and validation at fitting and follow-up
• Provides continuity of care across the full patient journey

3. Human-Centered Care

• Emphasizes relational depth alongside clinical accuracy
• Patient goals, identity, and emotional wellbeing inform treatment planning
• Providers listen actively, adapt thoughtfully, and respond to the full human story

4. Technology as Identity

• Supports the use of hearing aids as a natural part of modern life
• Encourages confidence and connection through consistent, intentional use
• Helps patients feel comfortable incorporating devices into everyday routines and environments

5. Continuous Learning and Collaboration

• Clinicians stay current through ongoing education in emerging technology and emotional intelligence
• Clinics remain open to evolving approaches that improve patient connection and care delivery
• Partners collaborate across roles—clinicians, creators, peers, and brand teams—to strengthen the impact of each campaign and deepen the trust behind it

6.  Practices Narrative Medicine and Meaningful Communication

• Recognizes the patient’s personal story as a vital part of the clinical process
• Creates space for individuals to share how hearing loss has shaped their relationships, work, confidence, and sense of self
• Encourages providers to practice deep listening, reflective dialogue, and shared meaning-making
• Uses narrative as a tool for motivation, emotional integration, and long-term follow-through
• Builds trust by honoring the human experience behind the clinical presentation

7. Cultural Alignment with Hearing Empowered

• Embodies the Hearing Empowered philosophy with a focus on connection, presence, and care
• Prioritizes inclusion, accessibility, and trust in all patient interactions

8. Depth of Specialization

• Demonstrates expertise in one or more of the following:
  • Auditory Processing Disorders
  • Pediatrics
  • Tinnitus and Sound Therapy
  • Vestibular and Balance
  • Cochlear Implant Support
• Specialties are communicated to Hearing Empowered for campaign planning and creator matching

This model reflects the clinical ecosystem that supports personalized care grounded in science and extended through meaningful human connection.