Jason Wigand
Columbus, OH (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal
PACE - Audiological Clinical Excellence
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Startup
Location:
Columbus
Industry:
Healthcare
Year Founded:
2014
Number Employees:
1-10 people
Business Stage:
Creation/Idea
Entity Type:
Not Incorporated
Description:
Audiologists are the healthcare professionals most qualified to assess, evaluate and diagnose hearing and hearing-related deficits. For accreditation, audiologists and clinical staff must maintain the commensurate knowledge, skill and instrumentation necessary for use with current best practices in evidence-based hearing assessment methods, remain current and knowledgeable about the resources available within the professional field and their respective state and region, and be able to make appropriate medical and rehabilitative referrals for patients.
Professional Accreditation of Audiological Clinical Excellence (PACE) will define criteria for becoming a complete and comprehensive audiology provider to serve as part of a hearing and balance healthcare accreditation network.
Criteria for accreditation will include:
1. Comprehensive diagnostic auditory evaluations for pediatrics and adults to include, pure-tone air and bone conduction audiometry, immittance measurement, otoacoustic emissions testing (OAE), auditory brainstem
response testing (ABR).
2. Vestibular testing for balance disorders to include videonystagmography (VNG) and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing.
3. Electrophysiological monitoring capabilities such as electroneuronography (ENoG) monitoring of facial nerve integrity
4. Hearing aid evaluations, provisions and services
5. Assistive listening devices
6. Tools and education for hearing conservation and protection
7. Community and professional education on hearing and balance healthcare and hearing loss.
In addition to offering comprehensive hearing and balance healthcare services, clinics must maintain a focus on providing a network of resources for hearing health professionals and the maximization of the quality of life for the hearing-impaired and their families. A family-centered and culturally-sensitive approach that advocates involvement of the family to the fullest extent they desire should be maintained throughout the diagnostic and intervention process.
Additionally, clinics must be able to serve as the point-of-contact for parents and caregivers in qualifying children, initialing plans and maintaining interventions through early intervention programs, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) (IDEA, 2004) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973-Part 504 (as appropriate). Accredited clinics will act proactively to evaluate and determine qualifications and support parents or caregivers in the initial steps of implementing IEPs (Individualized Education Plan).
Other professional documents, literature, and web materials must be utilized in order to maintain the broadest and most flexible counseling possible. All activities are aimed at providing the most comprehensive audiologic services to the hearing-impaired. Additionally, professional advocacy must be maintained by staff and providers in order to be knowledgeable about federal and state laws and regulations impacting the identification, intervention and education of children who are deaf and hard of hearing for the benefit of the profession as a whole and the patients and families in particular.