When Patients Become Part of The Fitting Process
Steven Hamlett, Au.D.'s Experience with Compass Cloud™ 2.0
Created Updated
For Steven Hamlett, Au.D., owner of Abilene Audiology Co. in Abilene, Texas, successful hearing care starts with patient engagement.
"The patient has to be engaged in the process," Hamlett said. "I will not sell a hearing aid to a patient who doesn't want one."
That philosophy has shaped his practice for nearly 12 years as a Widex provider. While Hamlett was initially unsure what a cloud-based fitting platform would add to his workflow, Compass Cloud 2.0 has become an important part of how he personalizes fittings and helps patients better understand their hearing care.
"At first, I didn't really see the need for a cloud-based system," he said. "But as Compass Cloud has evolved, it's become a much more complete fitting platform. It gives me the tools I rely on every day."
"The fittings are quicker and easier," he said. "I'm not spending as much time making adjustments, troubleshooting, or awaiting firmware updates. Instead, I can focus on the patient's perception of the sound and making sure it's comfortable and clear."
He also appreciates workflow improvements such as faster device connections, simplified program management, and the return of spoken voice indicators that announce "Right Ready," "Left Ready," and low battery notifications.
"Those spoken indicators make things much easier for patients," Hamlett said. "Instead of trying to remember what different beeps mean, they immediately know what's happening."
"I'm big on making hearing aids as automatic as possible," he said. "Being able to see the sound classes and data logging helps me fine-tune the hearing aids not just to the audiogram, but to each patient's preferences in different environments."
The data also changes the conversation during follow-up appointments.
"When patients can see how their hearing aids have been working in restaurants, family gatherings, or other environments, they understand why they're hearing better," Hamlett said. "It helps them become more involved in their own care because they can actually see what's happening."
According to Hamlett, that shared understanding builds confidence in both the technology and the process.
"It's not just buying a hearing aid off the shelf," he said. "It's a personalized treatment plan, and patients can see why it's working."
"It gives providers more control over the fitting while helping patients become more engaged in the process," he said. "That leads to better outcomes for everyone."
"The patient has to be engaged in the process," Hamlett said. "I will not sell a hearing aid to a patient who doesn't want one."
That philosophy has shaped his practice for nearly 12 years as a Widex provider. While Hamlett was initially unsure what a cloud-based fitting platform would add to his workflow, Compass Cloud 2.0 has become an important part of how he personalizes fittings and helps patients better understand their hearing care.
"At first, I didn't really see the need for a cloud-based system," he said. "But as Compass Cloud has evolved, it's become a much more complete fitting platform. It gives me the tools I rely on every day."
More Time Where It Matters
Hamlett says Compass Cloud 2.0 has made the fitting process more efficient, allowing him to spend less time navigating software and more time focused on counseling patients."The fittings are quicker and easier," he said. "I'm not spending as much time making adjustments, troubleshooting, or awaiting firmware updates. Instead, I can focus on the patient's perception of the sound and making sure it's comfortable and clear."
He also appreciates workflow improvements such as faster device connections, simplified program management, and the return of spoken voice indicators that announce "Right Ready," "Left Ready," and low battery notifications.
"Those spoken indicators make things much easier for patients," Hamlett said. "Instead of trying to remember what different beeps mean, they immediately know what's happening."
Turning Data Into Better Conversations
For Hamlett, another one of the most valuable additions in Compass Cloud 2.0 is Enhanced Data Logging and Sound Class Adjustments, which provide a clearer picture of how patients are using their hearing aids in everyday listening environments."I'm big on making hearing aids as automatic as possible," he said. "Being able to see the sound classes and data logging helps me fine-tune the hearing aids not just to the audiogram, but to each patient's preferences in different environments."
The data also changes the conversation during follow-up appointments.
"When patients can see how their hearing aids have been working in restaurants, family gatherings, or other environments, they understand why they're hearing better," Hamlett said. "It helps them become more involved in their own care because they can actually see what's happening."
According to Hamlett, that shared understanding builds confidence in both the technology and the process.
"It's not just buying a hearing aid off the shelf," he said. "It's a personalized treatment plan, and patients can see why it's working."
An Evolving Platform
After nearly a dozen years fitting Widex hearing aids, Hamlett believes Compass Cloud 2.0 gives Hearing Care Professionals the tools they need while making the fitting experience easier for patients to understand."It gives providers more control over the fitting while helping patients become more engaged in the process," he said. "That leads to better outcomes for everyone."