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"I hear you, but I don't quite understand you."

"If your auditory system works like a computer, your ears are the hardware, and your brain is the software. Even when the ears hear normally, errors in the software (the processing) can interfere with understanding or remembering what was heard. This is called Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) and often leaves sufferers feeling isolated and disconnected. Of the approximately 6% of the population struggling with APD, most don't even know it’s a disorder. The good news is that with specialized audiologist help, dramatic improvement in auditory processing is possible.

Dr Angela Loucks Alexander, Audiologist, has spent fifteen years specializing in diagnosing and treating Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), a hearing difficulty with less to do with the ears and more to do with the brain. Despite significantly affecting potential and well-being, many of those affected are unaware of the condition, let alone their treatment options. Angela is the host of Between Two Ears podcast and founder of the Auditory Processing Institute, where she trains audiologists and speech-language pathologists to provide APD services. She has also created an online, searchable map to help clients find the help they need."

Angela Alexander, Au.D., CCC-A, MNZAS, graduated from the University of Kansas in 2010 with a Doctor of Audiology.  Angela's passion is in the treatment of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD).  Angela was privileged to have been mentored by Jack Katz, Ph.D., a world-leading expert on APD. Learn more about Dr. Katz here. Angela worked with Katz for seven years between 2004 to 2012, building her knowledge and expertise.  Listen to her podcast.

Following this, Angela worked as an audiologist in New Zealand for the past decade.  She moved to Sunshine Coast, Australia in November 2020.

Her TEDx talk:  Escaping the Hidden Prison of Auditory Processing Disorder was the most-watched TEDx worldwide in September of 2021.

With the Auditory Processing Institute, Angela is looking to train her peers in the skills needed to provide effective APD diagnostic and therapeutic options.   She aims to double the number of SLP/Au.D. professionals providing effective auditory processing services through the online APD Master Courses by 2022.

Click the links below to review Angela's APD resources:
https://www.auditoryprocessinginstitute.com/
https://www.apdsupport.com/

While we know all hearing aids amplify sounds to help you hear them, Starkey Genesis AI uses cutting-edge technology designed to help you understand them, too.

Click here to find a provider near you and test drive Starkey Genesis AI!

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In this episode, Blaise Delfino speaks with Wendy Harkins Davis, Outreach Director of Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation. 

Wendy is responsible for developing and implementing PATF’s housing and outreach activities including managing PATF’s smart home technology projects and working to educate both professionals and Pennsylvanians about PATF’s programs and services.

Wendy worked for eight years in outreach for CaptionCall, a federal phone captioning provider. Her children’s and husband’s hearing loss led her into advocacy for the Deaf/deaf/hard-of-hearing community. Prior to that, she worked in the technology sector for 13 years in software development, project management, and product management. Her work included a 6-month project in Barcelona, Spain developing and executing a training program for the IT department at the Hospital Clinico. She served for over two years on PATF’s Board of Directors and is the Entertainment Chair for the HLAA PA Walk4Hearing.

Wendy and her husband, Evan, live in Malvern, PA. At any given time, there can be between five and eight people living in the Davis home. Wendy’s parents are aging in place with them, and it is a revolving door with their four children who are all in university studies, two in undergraduate and two in doctorate. The entire family is involved with the PA Walk4Hearing, and together enjoy paddle-boarding, skiing, hiking, and endlessly throwing balls for their Labrador, Aurora

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The last five years, Starkey has had the loudest voice in the hearing healthcare industry regarding OTC hearing aids. They wanted to ensure that patients, individuals with hearing loss, and hearing professionals were given the most up-to-date information on policy, and that their voices were heard throughout the process. The day has now come and passed that we have OTC hearing aids. The new regulation  was released in August 2022 and then went into effect in mid-November of 2022.

In this episode you will learn: 

• The latest news related to OTC hearing aids. 
• How hearing healthcare professionals are responding.  
• How providers are becoming involved in their community, specifically the Listen Carefully Ambassador Program, to ensure patient safety and satisfaction remain the top priority. 
• What one hearing healthcare provider in Ohio did to ensure his licensure was not replaced with a registration. 

Do you suspect you have hearing loss and want to know if OTC hearing aids are for you? Well, before you click "add to cart," learn the differences between OTC hearing aids and prescription hearing aids below:

Prescription Hearing Aids: 

1. For any degree of hearing loss; hearing aid is programmed to the individual hearing loss profile (audiogram)
2. For all ages 
3. Standard and customized options are available 
4. Return policy is mandated by the state 

OTC Hearing Aids: 

1. For perceived mild to moderate hearing loss 
2. For ages 18+ 
3. One size fits most 
4. No state requirements for return policy

*Full episode transcript will be available by 12 pm EST* 

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Matthew Starner of Echo-Norvell Hearing Aid Service in Newark, Ohio, acted swiftly upon receiving news that his Ohio state Hearing Aid Specialist licensure could be eliminated and replaced with a registration. The proposed bill, HB 509, was recommended by the Sunset Review Committee of Ohio, and was made known by the Hearing Healthcare Alliance of Ohio. This news comes at a pivotal time in the hearing healthcare industry where there have been changes to the hearing aid device and service delivery model.

Matthew contacted his Listen Carefully representative at Starkey to review a plan of action in response to the proposed bill. The Starkey team, led by Executive Vice President of Corporate Relations Michael Scholl, convened with a plan to address the importance of licensure as it ensures patient safety and satisfaction. On November 30, 2022, Matthew testified in front of Ohio’s 134th General Assembly.

“Substitute HB 509 has some good ideas; however, the unintended consequences of this bill would greatly hamper the ability of Ohio's hearing-impaired community. By changing the Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters licensing to a "registration,” Ohio would no longer have hearing aid practices because it would be breaking Federal law. Ohio residents would also not be able to get hearing aids through their insurance plans because you have to have a license to be credentialed,” explains Matthew.

Michael Scholl reports, “Matthew’s advocacy and testimony played a key role in educating elected officials about the importance of licensure. In the end the legislature restored the licensure language ensuring individuals with hearing loss have broad access to qualified licensed hearing care providers. Hearing care is best served in the hands of a licensed hearing healthcare professional.”

Listen Carefully aims to shed a light on all aspects of hearing loss to better inform our leaders as they formulate solutions directly impacting the long-term health of millions of Americans living with hearing loss. Listen Carefully relies on the support of local hearing professionals to make their voices heard with their corresponding state and local lawmakers. In this effort, the campaign has kickstarted a Listen Carefully Ambassador Program to enlist the help of private practice hearing healthcare professionals that are leaders in their communities and are willing and able to make their voice heard. 

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Welcome back to the Hearing Matters Podcast! We are excited to bring you a special episode featuring Dr. Dave Fabry, Jake Spano, and Michael Scholl.

Jake Spano, Starkey’s Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, and Michael Scholl, EVP of Corporate Relations, kick off the holiday season by talking to Dave Fabry about Starkey Cares, its Neighbors in Need program, how hearing professionals can participate, and why something as small as the sound of jingling coins can make such a huge impact on a person’s life.

Click here for the link to the full transcript. 

While we know all hearing aids amplify sounds to help you hear them, Starkey Genesis AI uses cutting-edge technology designed to help you understand them, too.

Click here to find a provider near you and test drive Starkey Genesis AI!

Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast Team

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In this episode, Blaise Delfino discusses the benefits of the hearing aid take home demo. After listening to this episode you will learn:

• How to implement the hearing aid take home demo in your practice.
• How the take home demo differentiates your practice when compared to your competitors. 
• How the take home demo is a win-win for you, your practice, but most importantly, your patients. 

Patients wait an average of 7-10 years to address their hearing loss. They've made the appointment to visit your office, now is the time to help them! As hearing healthcare providers, we need to ensure these individuals have the best experience possible. If they leave their first appointment with paperwork and a few prices written at the top of their audiogram, we have let them down. For the patients who are unsure if they need hearing aids or are unsure if hearing aids will help them, these individuals may benefit from participating in your take home demo program. 

The take home hearing aid demo is not for every patient, and we are not recommending or encouraging clinicians to send every patient home with demos prior to purchasing. However, a take home hearing aid demo program can positively influence patient acquisition and your gross revenue. 

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People who suspect they have hearing loss wait an average of 7-10 years before they address it. Now, you may be asking yourself, "Why do people wait so long to address their hearing loss?" Oftentimes, it's denial. They think of hearing loss and automatically envision their grandfather's hearing aids from the 70's and 80's. They were big, clunky, and made all sorts of noises. They may think to themselves, "There's no way I have hearing loss. My family and friends just mumble. Plus, I cannot be seen with those big clunky things in my ears! They make so much noise!" However, hearing technology has advanced so much in the past 20 years. They're discreet, stylish, and hardly whistle thanks to feedback cancellation technology!

As a hearing healthcare provider and private practice owner, I've heard it all. Living in the information age, our patients can Google "What hearing aids should I buy," and they're inundated with different styles and brands of hearing technology. With that said, when new patients visit our office, they are aware of the different styles and brands of hearing aids. I always thank them for doing their research prior to their visit. This shows me that they are motivated to address their hearing loss. 

When new patients visit your office, they are looking to you, the expert in hearing healthcare, to help them understand speech in complex listening situations. While they struggle to understand speech in simple/quiet listening situations, they really want to engage in the family conversation during the holidays or at their grandchild's soccer game. Reviewing the patients audiometric data and speech in noise scores is an essential part of the appointment. However, what patients are most interested in is "test driving" the hearing technology. As hearing healthcare professionals, now more than ever, it is essential we deliver a first-class experience to new and current hearing aid users.

The in-office hearing aid demo accomplishes the following: 

• Patients hear what they have been missing for many years.
• Allows the patient to hear their spouse/loved one's voice with increased clarity for the first time in years. 
• Experience how the technology increases speech understanding in noisy situations when competing background is being played in the background. 
• Allows the patient to physically touch and feel the hearing aids. 
• Assists in the hearing aid recommendation process, specifically the style of hearing aid. 
  • Ex. If a patient presents with decreased dexterity and vision, they will most likely do best with a custom rechargeable hearing aid. 

The primary purpose of hearing technology is to increase speech understanding and decrease listening effort. The majority of the patients I've treated with hearing loss all want to solve one major problem they experience: understanding speech in noise. Consumers today are being bombarded with hearing aid advertisements. As hearing healthcare professionals, we have the opportunity to create brand relevant memories with the in-office hearing aid demo. 

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In this episode of the Hearing Matters Podcast, Blaise Delfino interviews pediatric audiologist, Dr. Kelsey Kerkhove.

During this episode Blaise and Dr. Kerkhove discuss: 

• Why Dr. Kerkhove chose to specialize in pediatric audiology.  
• How empathy is essential when telling parents their child presents with hearing loss. 
• How to tell parents their child presents with hearing loss and next steps. 
• The importance of the team approach between the pediatric audiologist, speech-language pathologist, and the parents. 
• How remote microphone technology enhances a child's overall listening experience and speech-language development. 
• Dr. Kerkhove's support materials for patients whose child was recently diagnosed with hearing loss. 

Originally from the midwest, Dr. Kerkhove attended Purdue University for her undergraduate training, majoring in Communication Sciences Disorders. 

She stayed at Purdue to complete her Clinical Doctorate in Audiology and then went back home to Cincinnati, Ohio to complete her pediatric residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. That’s where she found her passion for pediatric audiology and family centered care. 

She now resides in sunny Southern California and practices at a large medical center where she sees children of all ages, backgrounds, and social circumstances.

She loves what she does, but wanted to find a way to connect with families outside of the walls of the clinic or hospital, which led her to creating her online platform that discusses all things pediatric audiology. Click here to visit Dr. Kerkhove's website and schedule your free, 15-minute consultation! Was your child recently diagnosed with hearing loss but you're having difficulty understanding the test results? Dr. Kerkhove can help! 

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Battling Strong Economic Headwinds

If you’re a private practice owner, chances are you’ve navigated a business during strong economic headwinds. Running a business during the COVID-19 pandemic was exhausting. I still remember March of 2020 like it was yesterday. Our team was standing in the waiting room talking about the coronavirus and how it was rapidly spreading across the United States. Pennsylvania’s governor reported that all non-essential businesses are encouraged to shut down for 2-weeks to slow the spread. Now, we couldn’t fathom closing our practice for two weeks straight – we’d ever only take 1-week vacations, so this was concerning to us because we wanted to make sure that our patients still had access to us. However, our patient’s health and safety are always #1, so we shut down for the recommended 2-weeks. Well, 2-weeks turned in to almost 3.5 months of being shut down. It was during this time of shut down our team could have given up. However, we banded together to ensure everyone was healthy, safe, and that our patients were being kept in the loop, if you will. Navigating a small business during the COVID-19 pandemic was not easy, but it all came down to teamwork, leaning into vulnerability, and practicing transparent communication. I personally know the anxiety and fear that many private practice owners experienced during the pandemic.

Are We Headed Towards a Recession?

Recovering from the pandemic was hard enough, now numerous financial analysts and institutions are reporting that a recession is inevitable. Chances are, you and your business partners are aware of these strong economic headwinds, and your employees know the GDP has been down for two consecutive months. So, now what? Do we just start panicking and believe that the sky is going to fall? Absolutely not. A calm sea never made a skilled sailor.

I know what it is like to navigate a business during unprecedented times. I know what it is like to lose sleep over making payroll. I know what it is like to cut your pay in half so you can pay your employees and vendors. Countless media outlets continue to share the doom and gloom of an impending recession. However, our goal with this “business best practice series,” is to decrease the anxiety that fellow private practice owners are experiencing, and offer real-life, data-driven decisions that can be implemented today to safeguard your practice against these strong economic headwinds. 

What Can Our Practice Do Today?

1. Review Variable Costs 
2. Leverage Technology
3. Review KPIs and Focus on Patient Retention and Acquisition 

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In 2016, April was diagnosed with Otosclerosis, a form of hearing loss caused by an abnormal growth of the bone in the middle ear. 

It started off mild/moderate, however, it is now moderate/severe and is progressively getting worse. She relies on hearing aids every single day. 

April aka @hardtohearit has used her hearing loss journey as a way to spread awareness and connect with other people in the hearing loss community. Her goal is to help as many people struggling with their hearing loss.

Connect with April on Social Media

Instagram: @hardtohearit

Website: Hearing Loss | Hard to Hear It

Purchase Her Hearing Journals: April's Online Store

Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast Team

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