In this conversation with Dr. Amit Gosalia, we connect the clinic to the Capitol and show how small, consistent actions can unlock direct access, fair recognition, and better outcomes for patients.

We start with the spark: early licensure battles in Arizona, the evolving relationship between audiologists and hearing instrument specialists, and the shared commitment to higher standards and clear scope. From there, we dig into the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act and its three pillars: direct access for patients, practitioner status under Medicare, and reimbursement for services already within scope. Dr. Gosalia lays out a no-excuses playbook for busy clinicians—use your association’s action center, personalize the message, hit send—and explains why stories, not just statistics, flip lawmakers from polite to persuaded.

Leadership becomes the throughline. We talk about the profession’s habit of underselling itself, why state associations hold real power, and how to step into roles without waiting for the perfect time. Dr. Gosalia’s coaching lens turns to growth decisions: know your why, weigh vertical versus horizontal expansion, and avoid cannibalizing your own market. He shares candid lessons on staffing, commute realities, demographics, and the quiet advantage of one well-equipped hub—vestibular, implants, tinnitus, protection—over a scattered footprint.

We close with a clear-eyed view of the future. The path forward is collective and practical: advocate locally, host your representatives, and turn everyday patient stories into policy wins that make hearing healthcare accessible and humane.

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