OUR Hearing Empowered™

Gold Level Standards

Hearing Empowered™ was created to help people find hearing care that feels clear, supportive, and grounded in real clinical leadership. The clinics recognized through this trustmark practice relational, diagnostic first audiology and create environments where people feel understood, respected, and guided with integrity. These standards describe the conditions that allow excellent care to unfold. They do not prescribe technique or override professional training. They reinforce the culture of care that makes a meaningful difference in a person’s life.

Many exceptional audiologists across Canada provide high quality care in their own ways. The Hearing Empowered™ trustmark highlights the clinics that have chosen to participate in this shared framework and that align with its values. It offers people a simple path toward clinics where clinical autonomy, relational presence, and diagnostic excellence are consistently upheld.

Independent Clinical Practice is central to this work. For Hearing Empowered™, independent means any clinic or clinic group that is not owned by a manufacturer and that maintains full clinical authority over assessments, recommendations, appointment structure, and the overall patient experience.

The Gold Standards reflect this commitment. They support evidence informed care, clear communication, and the long term relationships that help people stay connected to their lives. They represent a shared promise made by every clinic that carries this trustmark.

Hearing Empowered™ bridges clinical expertise with the real experience of living with hearing challenges. Our campaigns introduce modern hearing technology through lived stories and guide people toward the independent clinic in their region that upholds this standard of care. Only one clinic or clinic group carries the trustmark in each region, which helps create a clear and dependable path to support.

This work is rooted in care, accuracy, relational presence, and a deep respect for the way hearing shapes identity and connection. These standards give that commitment its structure.

Hearing Empowered™ Clinic Criteria

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

1. Clinical Leadership and Authority

1.1 Audiologist Led Clinical Culture
Audiologists hold decision making authority over assessment protocols, appointment structure, treatment recommendations, and the relational flow of care.

1.2 Clinical governance that protects integrity
If the clinic is part of a larger group, there must be a formal structure that gives audiologists real influence over care standards, scheduling policies, and patient pathways.

2. Diagnostic Excellence

2.1 Full diagnostic assessments as standard practice
Clinics consistently provide complete audiological evaluations, including speech clarity testing and middle ear analysis. Screenings are used only as triage tools, not substitutes for diagnosis.

2.2 Adequate appointment length
Time must be allotted for thorough testing, patient education, collaborative conversations, and individualized planning. Rushed diagnostics do not qualify.

2.3 Clinical environments that support accuracy
Equipment, calibration, and testing spaces meet professional standards. The clinic demonstrates a commitment to up to date diagnostic tools.

3. Relational Care and Patient Experience

3.1 Relational presence
Clinicians practice warmth, curiosity, and attunement. Patients feel heard rather than managed. The relationship remains central throughout the care journey.

3.2 Continuity of care
Patients see the same clinician for assessment, fitting, and follow up whenever possible. Consistency strengthens trust and outcomes.

3.3 Communication that supports clarity
Explanations are clear, collaborative, and free from fear based or sales heavy language. Patients leave with a grounded understanding of their hearing and their options.

4. Ethical and Operational Alignment

4.1 No quotas
There are no sales targets or productivity requirements that interfere with clinical judgment. A quota driven environment cannot qualify.

4.2 Transparent pricing
Devices and service models are presented clearly. Patients understand what they are paying for and how follow up support works.

4.3 A culture of learning
Clinics demonstrate ongoing commitment to professional growth. Case discussions, peer learning, and continuing education are part of the work environment.

5. Community Reputation and Care Culture

5.1 Patient feedback that reflects trust
Reviews and testimonials highlight feeling supported, understood, and guided. Feedback indicates relational care rather than transactional experiences.

5.2 Team stability and cohesion
Clinics show reasonable staff continuity, healthy internal communication, and respect for clinician well being.

5.3 Integrity in public communication
Marketing and public messaging avoid gimmicks, fear based framing, or misleading comparisons. The clinic presents hearing care with dignity and accuracy.

6. Breadth of Technology Options

6.1 Meaningful access to technology from multiple global brands
Clinics provide patients with access to at least four of the six major global hearing aid manufacturers

6.2 Recommendations shaped by clinical judgment
Technology choices are guided by patient needs, listening environments, and diagnostic findings. Recommendations are not limited by brand exclusivity or supply arrangements.

6.3 Fitting proficiency across brands
Clinicians demonstrate proficiency across a wide range of devices and stay current with manufacturer updates, software, and fitting best practices.

6.4 Patient centred technology counselling
Clinics support clear, grounded decision making. Technology differences are explained in ways that build confidence without pressure.