Abstract
Background Audiology is experiencing pressure from market forces that may change the profession's
nature. Research suggests that understanding resistance needs to change and organizational
culture may provide insights that can facilitate change.
Purpose This study was designed to examine audiologists' resistance to change, organizational
culture, and clinical practices related to hearing aid pricing and audiology assistants.
Research Design This study utilized a cross-sectional and nonexperimental survey design.
Study Sample Participants were 205 U.S. audiologists, representing diversity across experience,
work setting, and location.
Data Collection This survey examined demographics and clinical practice strategies. Resistance to
change (RTC) scale examined disposition toward change. Organizational culture profile
(OCP) examined organizational culture perspectives.
Results The majority (52%) of respondents use bundled pricing but 42% of these repondents
anticipate transitioning to unbundling. Use of hybrid pricing is increasing. Service-extender
personnel were reported by 41%. Although the majority (66%) do not work with audiology
assistants currently, 32% of these participants anticipate they will do so in the
future. Results indicated lower RTC and greater years of experience were associated
with more positive perceptions about organizational culture. Pricing structure was
related to experience.
Conclusion Trends indicate use of bundled pricing is decreasing, use of hybrid pricing is increasing,
and employment of audiology assistants is increasing. Experienced audiologists are
more likely to report unbundled and hybrid pricing compared with less experienced
audiologists.
Keywords
audiologist - resistance to change - organizational culture
