#  Beyond the Tier: A Diagnostic-Driven Framework for Modern Hearing Care

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**Presentation Date:** 03 October 2026

**Duration:** 1:16:23

**Return to:** [AuDacity Archive](https://audiologist.org/audacity-archive)

Audiologic care often moves from an incomplete diagnostic assessment directly to device selection as the primary intervention. While pure-tone thresholds remain foundational, functional measures such as speech-in-noise performance and structured real-world needs assessment are inconsistently integrated into treatment planning. This creates a structural gap between diagnosis and prescribed technology. The Minimum Clinical Need (MCN) model proposes a diagnostic-driven framework that links measured functional deficits to specific treatment features. This panel examines the diagnostic-to-treatment gap, outlines the conceptual foundation of MCN, and discusses practical strategies for integrating structured prescription logic into routine clinical workflows. Attendees will gain a clearer framework for strengthening diagnostic alignment and improving treatment decisions in modern hearing care.

**Attendees will be able to:**

1. Evaluate how diagnostic assessment structures shape the alignment between measured deficits, treatment planning, and real-world communication performance.
2. Describe the conceptual foundation and core components of the Minimum Clinical Need (MCN) framework for linking diagnostic findings to treatment planning.
3. Apply principles of structured diagnostic-to-treatment alignment to enhance real-world communication outcomes in clinical practice.

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**Speakers:**

- Bill Miller, Au.D.
- Amyn Amlani, Ph.D.