UnitedHealthcare Hearing, EPIC, and AARP Hearing Solutions Form Ear Professionals Group

EDEN PRAIRIE, MINN — Introducing Ear Professionals Group—a new brand that encompasses three well-established and affiliated hearing industry leaders under one name. Formerly operating primarily as UnitedHealthcare Hearing, Ear Professionals Group is focused on accelerating industry momentum through innovative benefit and discount programs, increased accessibility to hearing care and strong partnerships across the hearing industry.

Ear Professionals Group includes UnitedHealthcare Hearing, EPIC Hearing Healthcare, and AARP^® Hearing Solutions™ provided by UnitedHealthcare Hearing. Bringing these programs under Ear Professionals Group allows for increased industry collaboration, technological innovation, as well as benefits for providers and members. The name Ear Professionals Group also serves to acknowledge the key role the company’s specialized network of hearing care professionals plays in connecting members with hearing solutions and care.

“At Ear Professionals Group, people come first,” said Dave Falda, CEO of Ear Professionals Group. “We are grounded in empathy and unified in our mission to make hearing care accessible, attainable, and impactful for all. By putting employees, members and providers at the center of everything we do, we’re able to deliver solutions that truly move the industry forward.”

Growing Need

An estimated 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from hearing aids. Yet fewer than 30% of adults age 70 and older with hearing loss have ever used them. Among adults ages 20 to 69 with hearing loss, only 16% have used hearing aids.

Ear Professionals Group builds on more than 25 years of experience and trusted relationships to expand access to hearing care. By collaborating with manufacturers, providers, and experts, they help connect members to advanced technology and the resources they need to take charge of their hearing health.

“Our mission is to lead the industry by creating tailored programs that help ensure accessible and affordable hearing solutions for everyone,” said Monica Murray, Au.D., vice president of program development at Ear Professionals Group.

Each program features a full range of options, including transparent pricing on brand name and high-value private label hearing aids. Through Ear Professional Group programs, members can choose Relate^® hearing aids, Ear Professionals Group's private-label brand with models designed for affordability, quality and versatility.

How It Works

“Ear Professionals Group serves as a link between providers, health plans, and members,” said Laura Richardson, Au.D., vice president of clinical delivery, Ear Professionals Group. “We take on things like program promotion, benefit details and other administrative activities for providers, so they can focus on what they do best: delivering personalized patient care to their community.”

Ear Professionals Group’s comprehensive portfolio of benefit and discount programs is designed to:

• Improve access to care and products. Ear Professionals Group administers employer, health plan and Medicare Advantage hearing aid benefits, along with discount programs available for AARP members—including those without insurance—on a national scale.
• Support patient success. From no cost hearing exams and consultations with a hearing care professional to education and follow-up care, Ear Professionals Group programs help members navigate the hearing journey and purchase hearing aids with confidence and ease.
• Raise awareness. By partnering with global and national brands and organizations, Ear Professionals Group reaches more people and helps connect them to the hearing solutions they need.

“Our approach and program portfolio are able to address the needs of a variety of populations through multiple channels to get them connected with high-quality, local care and hearing aids,” said Falda.

For more information about Ear Professionals Group, please visit EarProfessionalsGroup.com.