LACE – A Hearing & Comprehension Tool Worth Its Weight in Gold
With over 16 years of experience improving my patients' quality of life, I’ve encountered numerous new ideas in hearing care—many of which turned out to be gimmicks. However, when I introduced LACE (Listening and Communication Enhancement) into my practice nearly a year ago, I found a truly effective solution that bridges the gap between hearing and listening.
"LACE has proven to be worth its weight in gold, helping my patients transition from merely hearing better to truly listening better."
- Ross Osborne, B.C.H.I.S.
The Shift from Analog to Digital
The transition from analog to digital hearing aids marked a significant advancement in the industry, allowing my patients to experience true speech processing and targeted frequency adjustment. Directional microphones also provided substantial benefits by enhancing speech signals in noisy environments. However, these technological improvements had their limitations, particularly when it came to individual patients' speech discrimination abilities. I realized that while hearing aids could amplify sound, they couldn’t teach my patients how to focus and listen—an essential component of effective communication.
LACE: A Worthwhile Investment
The transition from analog to digital hearing aids marked a significant advancement in the industry, allowing my patients to experience true speech processing and targeted frequency adjustment. Directional microphones also provided substantial benefits by enhancing speech signals in noisy environments. However, these technological improvements had their limitations, particularly when it came to individual patients' speech discrimination abilities. I realized that while hearing aids could amplify sound, they couldn’t teach my patients how to focus and listen—an essential component of effective communication.
Countless patients have expressed frustration with their ability to hear in complex listening environments, such as group conversations or when their grandchildren speak quickly. My response used to be, “You have to work at it, and over time, you’ll improve.” But without a measurable way to help them practice and monitor their progress, my advice was limited. That changed with LACE.
LACE has proven to be invaluable for both new and existing patients. It provides a structured way to enhance listening skills, giving patients the tools to actively participate in their hearing improvement. Even those with low speech discrimination scores have reported significant benefits, becoming more aware of their hearing abilities and understanding what it takes to improve. Almost all my patients who have completed LACE training recognize that there’s a critical difference between simply hearing better and truly listening better.
A Staple in My Practice
LACE is quickly becoming a cornerstone of my practice. With upcoming advancements, I see it seamlessly integrating into the normal fitting and adjustment process for every patient striving for better hearing. The results speak for themselves: patients are more satisfied, return rates have decreased, and referrals have increased. LACE has given my patients the edge they need in difficult listening situations, making it an indispensable tool in their auditory journey.
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