Hearing Matters Podcast

Congratulations on the #Entrepreneur feature, Brandon Sawalich!   Read here: https://lnkd.in/eW38swmJ   My big takeaway from this article:   “I believe an entrepreneur is anyone who looks at things differently. And it can be anyone anywhere within an organization — not just leadership. An entrepreneurial mindset is one of innovation. I often tell my teams not to be satisfied with the status quo.”   I can attest to Brandon’s statement that at Starkey Hearing, we’re never satisfied with the status quo. What an exciting time to be at Starkey as we continue to push the boundaries of hearing technology. We're just getting started. 

Vision has versions. In 2019, I founded the Hearing Matters Podcast In 2020, the podcast provided the team/family at Audiology Services an outlet to keep us and our patients socially active and connected during the pandemic. In June 2023, I called Dr. Douglas Beck, Au.D., and shared an idea I had...for him to join the podcast as co-host. In January 2024 we "re-launched" Hearing Matters. In December 2024, Dr. Beck is awarded the "Golden Lobe" award. (link in the comment section). It's always important to trust the process, accept that today's vision will change years from now (i.e. growth), and have FUN. It's been a blast building a community and creating a platform that educates and empowers. Congrats again, Dr. Beck! And many thanks to the The Hearing Review for sharing this very exciting news. 2025 is going to be electric. Stay tuned.

Hearing Matters Podcast Host Honored with 2024 "Golden Lobe" Award

CONGRATULATIONS to my friend, mentor, and co-host, Dr. Douglas Beck, Au.D.,! Dr. Beck has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Golden Lobe Award by the Association of Independent Hearing Healthcare Professionals (AIHHP). This award is granted annually to a distinguished hearing healthcare professional who has made outstanding contributions to the field of audiology. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Beck! Having the opportunity to work with Doug on a weekly basis, I've witnessed his dedication and passion for hearing healthcare. We are excited for the future of the Hearing Matters Podcast! Many thanks to Hearing Health & Technology Matters.

A special thank you to Dr. Mark Campbell-Foster for joining us on the show! Imagine discovering that a simple misdiagnosis dramatically shaped your early years. That's exactly what happened to Dr. Mark Campbell-Foster, our guest and Director of Audiology Sales and Marketing at Redux. Mark takes us through his journey from a childhood misinterpreted as developmental delays to the revelation of his hearing loss at Children's Hospital Boston—a turning point that fueled both personal and professional growth. He navigates the intricacies of deaf culture, explores genetic underpinnings like Connexin 26 in his family, and stresses the life-changing importance of accurate diagnoses.

As audiologists, it's crucial to understand the distinction between hearing screenings and comprehensive evaluations. At the recent AIHHP conference in the UK, I shared a key insight: "People don't care so much about their hearing. They care about their listening." While hearing screenings are often suggested, I firmly believe they are not enough. Instead, we should focus on comprehensive audiometric evaluations. This approach ensures we uncover the full spectrum of auditory issues, rather than leaving people underserved. I encourage my colleagues to champion thorough evaluations for better outcomes in our field.

Incredible weekend in Clemson, SC 🏈 👏🏼 A few weeks ago, my friend Andrew Rossetti asked if I wanted to help with “in game video” (IGV) during the Clemson V. South Carolina game. Without hesitation I said absolutely 💯 I have to say, seeing what goes on BTS to prep for a college football game is incredible. Having a passion for tech, I was impressed with the patch work, the comms, and the test/retest process before the game. Since I knew I’d be on the field helping with IGV, I wanted to make sure I wouldn’t miss a word if anyone had a question or we had to troubleshoot the system. I wore my Starkey Hearing / SoundGear Phantoms the ENTIRE game. I was protecting my hearing while enhancing my ability to communicate effectively with the IGV team. Congrats to South Carolina on the win 🏆 It was an incredible game and both teams fought til the end. #CollegeFootball #ESPN #Communication

#StarkeyEdgeAI is like a personal assistant in your ear. Thanks to my good friend and Starkey Hearing's Chief Hearing Health Officer Dave Fabry for sharing about the difference that #AI-powered hearing technology makes. Listen to the full episode at the link in the comments. #HearingTechnology #MedTech #AI Douglas Beck, Au.D., F-AAA, CCC-A Hearing Matters Podcast

As a former private practice owner, I understand that returns are something we have to face. When I first started in 2017, I took my first return to heart. Seriously. I was bummed for like 2 days 😳 okay, maybe 3. “But I did everything by the book. I went above and beyond for this patient. I even conducted real ear measurement!” Brutal fact ~ some patients just aren’t ready. In five years at the practice, we had less than 10 returns. I don’t share that to brag, boast, or to impress you. Rather, impress upon you that we set up systems, held ourselves to a high standard, and delivered first class patient care. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/etPu2wQx In the latest Hearing Matters Podcast I discuss 6 ways to reduce returns and enhance patient experience in 2025! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! 🦃🙏🏼

"The scariest moment was probably pulling my checkbook out to make payroll. Sometimes you have to put your personal skin in the game." A few weeks ago, I sat down with Joel Lockwood, President of Sycle. He shared his entrepreneurial journey with me, the peaks and valleys, and how the tough times in business allowed him to think differently and make data driven decisions. We discussed the importance of understanding hearing loss metrics, the introduction of the 'hearing number' as a universal metric for hearing health, and the role of AI in enhancing efficiency in hearing clinics. Joel shares insights from his journey, the challenges faced in developing new technologies, and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the industry. Join our conversation here: https://buff.ly/4eTl45f