This Week in Hearing

Ototoxicity monitoring is a vital tool for preserving hearing in patients undergoing treatments with ototoxic medications, such as those used for cancer or tuberculosis. Bob Traynor and Renee Lafrancois from Shoebox Audiometry discuss the practical applications of this monitoring and how accessible tools are making it easier for clinicians to integrate into patient care. Renee explains the global...

At the 2024 Academy of Doctors of Audiology conference, a panel featuring Andrew Bellavia, Steve Taddei, and David Kemp provided insights into current innovations in hearing healthcare with a focus on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in diagnostics, devices, and care delivery. The wide-ranging discussion began by diving into how AI-driven tools such as automated audiograms, real-ear...

Join Gael Hannan as she chats with legendary drummer and keynote speaker Mark Schulman. With an impressive career spanning over 30 years, Mark has played for musical legends like Pink, Cher, and Stevie Nicks, performing for over a billion people. Mark opens up about his journey with hearing loss and tinnitus, a challenge he has faced throughout his 30-year career. He discusses the importance of pr...

This week we are joined by Dr. Daniel Sun, Director of the Division of Neurotology and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, to discuss his pioneering research in hearing loss treatment. Addressing the challenges of delivering large molecule medications to the inner ear, Dr. Sun introduces a novel approach using magnetic nanoparticles. These par...

Sony has introduced the CRE-C20, the latest addition to its line of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. Building on the success of the CRE-C10, the new CRE-C20 retains the sleek, completely-in-canal (CIC) design while offering significant enhancements like a built-in rechargeable battery that delivers up to 28 hours of continuous use. The CRE-C20 is designed for individuals with mild to moderate...

Host Andrew Bellavia takes us on an in-depth exploration of Phonak's latest hearing aid platform, Infinio, which features a number of benefits both for the HCP at fitting and for the end-user in daily life. The most exciting innovation is in the model named Sphere which incorporates a powerful deep neural network chip to perform speech and noise separation in an ear-worn device for the very fi...

Gael Hannan sits down with Christy Vogel, the inspiring founder of Sounding Joy. Christy shares her deeply personal journey with hereditary hearing loss, recounting the struggles she faced growing up without hearing aids and how those challenges ultimately fueled her mission to help others. Through her nonprofit, Sounding Joy, Christy is dedicated to providing hearing aids to children from low-inc...

Host Bob Traynor sits down with Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO of Starkey, as he celebrates his 30th anniversary in the hearing industry. Brandon reflects on his journey from working summer jobs at Starkey to ultimately leading the company. He shares how hands-on experiences with hearing aids shaped his perspective, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, leadership, and curiosity. Brandon co...

Host Bob Traynor sits down with Kerrie Coughlin, Vice President of Marketing & Innovation at Rexton, to discuss the company's new Reach technology platform. The conversation highlights the capabilities of the Reach platform, designed to enhance communication in challenging listening environments. Coughlin explains that Reach incorporates advanced features like multi-voice focus, which is d...

Evan Solot is a celebrated music composer and trumpet player whose illustrious career spans over five decades, featuring collaborations with legends like Frank Sinatra and Bette Midler. In this episode, host Shari Eberts delves into Solot's remarkable journey, focusing on how he has navigated the challenges of hearing loss without letting it hinder his professional success. Solot discusses the...

Host Dave Kemp sits down with Shadi Chakoutahi, the owner of Staffing Proxy, to discuss the current state of the employment market within the audiology sector. Shadi, whose firm specializes in recruiting and HR within hearing health, shares insights from her daily interactions with both prospective employees and employers. She highlights the challenges and trends in the market, such as generationa...

Tamra Dale, a former finance executive and now a dedicated stay-at-home mother, shares her challenging journey with hearing loss and its impact on her family life. Tamra first noticed her hearing difficulties in her early 30s, which led her to seek professional help. Despite initial setbacks with inadequate professional support and suboptimal hearing aids, her determination to stay present for her...

Host Andrew Bellavia is joined by U.S. sprint kayak champion and Olympic athlete Aaron Small, who has recently been named a Global Brand Ambassador for Phonak. As he prepares to compete in the 2024 Olympics in Paris later this month, Aaron shares his journey of overcoming hearing loss challenges, balancing a rigorous training schedule, and excelling academically. In their candid conversation, Aaro...

In this episode, we welcome Dr. Jonathan Kil, the CEO and CMO of Sound Pharmaceuticals to discuss the latest developments in hearing loss treatment. With a distinguished background in auditory neuroscience and otolaryngology, Dr. Kil co-founded Sound Pharmaceuticals over 22 years ago with a mission to develop drug-based therapies for sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. He has led the company’...

OrCam is leveraging its expertise in AI-based devices to address the cocktail party problem in hearing technology with the introduction of OrCam Hear. The device, which made a notable debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), uses advanced AI to isolate and enhance specific voices in noisy environments. This innovation aims to significantly improve the speech-to-noise ratio, making it easier f...

Host Shari Eberts sits down with Dr. Stephanie Meyer, who brings 28 years of audiology expertise, with 27 of those years devoted to educational audiology. Dr. Meyer discusses how instructional audio technology is reshaping modern classrooms, ensuring equitable access to the auditory curriculum for all students. She shares practical strategies for overcoming adoption barriers and offers her vision...

Gael Hannan and Shari Eberts interview Dr. Barbara Weinstein, a distinguished professor at CUNY and adjunct professor at NYU Langone Medical Center. Dr. Weinstein shares her recent research on the InnoCaption app, which provides real-time captions for phone calls, making them accessible to individuals with hearing loss. Dr. Weinstein highlights that many hearing professionals are not familiar with...

The Audible Contrast Threshold (ACT™) test is the quickest method to accurately measure a person’s ability to hear in noisy environments. Developed by the Interacoustics Research Unit, ACT™ uses a non-linguistic, contrasting stimulus to provide a personalized testing experience. The results offer objective data that directly guides hearing aid fitting by predicting aided speech-in-noise performanc...

This week, Shari Eberts welcomes Dr. Michelle Wiebke, the Lyric Audiology and Education Manager at Phonak. Dr. Wiebke discusses the recent FDA approval that allows experienced Lyric users in the U.S. to self-replace their devices, a significant development aimed at enhancing accessibility and reducing the need for frequent in-office visits. This new clearance empowers certified Lyric providers to...

Join us for an insightful discussion on how cutting-edge connectivity is revolutionizing hearing care through Bluetooth® LE Audio and Auracast™. Originally presented by Andrew Bellavia at the 2024 Australian College of Audiology conference on May 9th, this session delves into the transformative impact of these technologies on everyday listening experiences, enabling people to hear their best in va...

Host Andrew Bellavia explores crucial aspects of hearing health policy and coverage with guest Bridget Dobyan, Executive Director of the Hearing Industries Association. The discussion begins with an introduction and a policy discussion on the Medicare Audiologist Access Improvement Act (MAAIA). The focus then shifts to the current state of Medicare coverage for hearing aids and the gaps in accessi...

Dr. Marshall Chasin, Director of Auditory Research at the Musicians' Clinics of Canada, explores innovative topics around music and hearing aids. In this session, originally part of the 2024 Future of Hearing Healthcare Conference, Dr. Chasin examines aspects we may not have considered yet for optimizing hearing aids for musical inputs. Dr. Chasin provides practical tips such as disabling adva...

Dr. Kevin Zhan, Assistant Professor of Otology & Neurotology and Medical Director of the Northwestern Medicine Cochlear Implant program, explores the critical issue of cochlear implant underutilization in the United States. In this session, originally part of the 2024 Future of Hearing Healthcare Conference, Dr. Zhan delves into the current literature, highlighting the major public health impl...

This week Gael Hannan sits down with Claudia Marseille, the author of the new memoir "But You Look So Normal: Lost and Found in the Hearing World." Claudia shares her journey of growing up with severe hearing loss, being diagnosed at the age of 4, and overcoming numerous challenges with determination and technology. She talks about the inspiration behind her memoir's title, reflectin...

Join us for an engaging panel discussion from the 2024 Future of Hearing Healthcare Conference, moderated by Dave Kemp. Featuring entrepreneurial-minded audiologists Dr. Kathleen Wallace, Dr. Brandi Smiley, Dr. Amanda Levy, and Dr. Melanie Hecker, this session explores innovative models of patient care. From mobile clinics and flexible care practices to groundbreaking therapy solutions and consume...