Ethics Case Study

Maria Isabella Katerina Lacson

Scenario
You are an audiologist.

An 82-year old woman, who cannot speak English, is accompanied by her

estranged son, who acts as the translator. They inform you about last week’s
visit to the doctor of another hearing center.
Scenario
The patient and her son visit the popular hearing center (alias PHC) to have her
hearing checked.

The ENT doctor assessed the patient and suspected bilateral hearing loss. He
then offered the patient one of the hearing aids that he dispenses, an ITC type,
which the son agrees to buy for his mother. He highly recommends this due to
its aesthetics and “modernness.” Unbeknownst to the pair, the doctor they had
visited has a quota to reach for the number of ITC hearing aids that he is able to
sell. PHC was founded by a group of doctors including this ENT, and failure to
reach the quota will lead to his suspension from said group.
Scenario

After evaluating the patient, you can confirm that she has bilateral severe-to-
profound hearing loss and anything smaller than a BTE Type of hearing aid is not
the most optimal solution.

The BTE can handle her type of hearing loss and her dexterity better than the ITC
can.

The ITC, however, has already been purchased and the son is very hesitant to
spend money again.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Options

RECOMMEND THE ITC RECOMMEND THE BTE

PROS PROS

● Already purchased ● Better for patient’s dexterity

● Better for patient’s hearing loss
CONS
CONS
● Not the best solution for
patient ● More expensive for guardian
Principles

● Veracity
● Autonomy
● Beneficence
● Non-Maleficence
● Confidentiality
● Role Fidelity
● Justice (distributive, compensatory, retributive, procedural)
● Informed Consent
● Surrogacy
● Dignity