ListenUp!

Cheryl Nolte is a lip-reading instructor with a demonstrated history of working in the health wellness area. She has worked in event management, team building, public speaking, and fundraising. She is currently active with five different charitable organizations while also offering online hearing coaching. In addition to these roles, she takes time to advocate for and consult people regarding hearing aids.

Lip-reading is one of the most important adaptations for the deaf and hard of hearing. Many will instinctively learn to lip-read while others struggle to learn the skill. Its utility makes it a great tool for anyone affected, so how can someone get help to improve their ability? Cheryl Nolte is a lip-reading expert and has a long career working with the hard of hearing and deaf community. Through her own experience, she helps others hone their skills and live their life to the fullest. So what can you learn from her expertise? In this episode, Dr. Mark Syms talks with Cheryl Nolte about lip-reading and making the most of hearing loss. They start with her own background, how she developed her skills, and how she translates that into her coaching. They also discuss how to protect your hearing and different apps to know about.

Dr. Oliver Adunka is the Director of Otolaryngology and a Professor at Ohio State University. He has experience in otology, neurotology, and skull base surgery. His personalized care for the hearing- and balance-impaired has led him to further research in clinical trials and new treatment options. He previously worked as the Director of the Pediatric Otology Program at Nationwide Children's Hospital and an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina.

As the technology of cochlear implants changes, so does the environment around it. Many who were skeptical are now far more inclined to go through the procedure. The increase in awareness and effectiveness has changed its cultural perception, but those differences can be felt throughout the industry. What is top of mind in the world of cochlear implants and how has it changed throughout the years? In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms talks with Dr. Oliver Adunka, Director of Otolaryngology at The Ohio State University, to discuss the state of cochlear implants. They go through the technology, how patient reception has changed, and the realities of Medicare’s coverage of hearing technology.

Chase Prieve is an account manager in the telecommunications and technology industries with experience working with everything from startups to Fortune 1000 companies. He is the Founder of Hi There Solutions, developing innovative solutions for the Deaf and hard of hearing as well as their family and friends. In the past, Chase has worked with companies such as Acqueon, RingCentral, and Comcast.

Despite the growing awareness and acceptance of hearing technology, there are still shockingly few tools to make life easier for the Deaf community. Small inconveniences are often overlooked and even major issues are dismissed by many able-bodied people. These problems can build up over time, and those affected by them are looking for solutions. Chase Prieve grew up with two deaf parents and saw the need for improvements to video calls. As FaceTime and Zoom become increasingly ubiquitous, the Deaf community is sometimes expected to keep up with no accommodations or thoughts paid their way. Chase created Hi There Solutions to counter this issue, and now explains the app to those who want to know how it works. In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms has a conversation with Chase Prieve, Founder of Hi There Solutions, to discuss the app and its uses. They talk about Chase’s background, how he pivoted his career to create the app, and why it is so needed. He also touches on the marketing strategy he used to bring it to success.

Dr. Brian Urban is the Co-founder of CounselEAR, an online tool that allows audiologists to customize and create unique counseling summaries and audiological reports. He is the former Owner/Audiologist at Advanced Hearing and Balance Center and spent time as the President of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology.

Dr. Urban is well-experienced in balance function assessment, newborn hearing screening, aural rehabilitation, hearing aid fitting, and student supervision.

For the medical field, technology does not always keep up with the pace of consumers and research. Businesses invest incredible sums of money into the development of new technology, but those same incentives don’t always translate to audiology practices. While hearing technology is continuously growing, there are other sectors experiencing growth as well.

CounselEAR is a software developed by an audiologist to simplify patient counseling. Both co-founders saw the need in clinics for better communication and more elegant technology and decided to create their own platform. So how does their software work for audiologists?

In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms talks with Dr. Brian Urban, President of Co-founder of CounselEAR, about the platform and what it does. They go through Dr. Urban’s background in audiology, the gaps in technology for clinics, and how the system helps patients. The two also discuss the challenges of the business and how the technology has evolved over time.

Hank Sarazin is the CEO and Founder of Onsite Dental Care and Onsite Hearing Care. For the last 12 years, they have managed the delivery of dental care and hearing care for 150 premiere assisted living communities in New England. 

Prior to starting his own businesses, Hank was the National Account Representative for Resort Sports Network and a Regional Manager for Boston Beer Company.

The demographic most affected by hearing loss is the elderly, especially those in assisted living situations. Further hearing loss can lead to mental decline or decreased quality of life. They’re also an underserved group, often missing out on the hearing treatment they desperately need. One solution to this dilemma is mobile hearing treatment. Bringing the care directly to the patients not only gives them greater access but also helps with their comfort. So how does it help those in assisted living? In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms speaks with Hank Sarazin, the Founder and CEO of Onsite Hearing, to discuss how his company offers mobile hearing treatment. They talk about the condition of people in assisted living, how to best serve them, and the other services they provide. The two also go over the state of healthcare for the elderly and the financial reality of treatment.

Susanna Dussling is an inspirational speaker, consultant, and trainer. She works with organizations to improve employee morale, engagement, and turnover by empowering leaders. Her 20 years of experience as a retail leader and bilateral cochlear implant wearer give her a unique view of communication. 

Susanna is the author of Sunny and Her Cochlear Implants, a story that helps children understand hearing aids and cochlear implants.

When people are considering cochlear implants, there is often a great deal of hesitation. How much will they help? Will the surgery be painful? How long will it take for my body to adjust? These questions are worth discussing, and fortunately, there are many who have walked that path before. Susanna Dussling is a public speaker who transitioned from hearing aids to cochlear implants. Not only has her hearing improved, but she is still getting better to this day. Her story is particularly insightful for those with questions, and now she explains it to you.

In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms has a discussion with Susanna Dussling about her journey with cochlear implants. They touch on her childhood, why she left hearing aids behind, and how she continues to improve her hearing. They also talk in-depth about her career and how it relates to her hearing.

Dr. Nashlea Brogan is the Owner of Bluewater Hearing Centre, where she has served for the past 19 years. As a cochlear implant user herself, she is an advocate for those with hearing loss.

Beyond her work in private practice, Dr. Brogan is involved in advocacy efforts to raise awareness about the impact of hearing loss beyond just treating the ear.

The greatest challenge facing most audiologists is getting patients to wear hearing technology. The next steps are also crucial to overall hearing health. Patients are real people, living complex lives with highs and lows. Knowing how to adapt to hearing technology can make the difference between struggling and living a fulfilling life. So what can you do to get the most out of your hearing technology?

In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms sits down with Dr. Nashlea Brogan, the Doctor of Audiology and Founder of Bluewater Hearing Centre, to talk about getting the most out of hearing technology. They discuss her own journey with hearing loss, tips for cochlear implants, and how to prepare for hearing emergencies. They also touch on the work Dr. Brogan does with Bluewater Hearing.

Dr. Kelly Breese is the Owner and Audiologist at Doc Side Audiology: Hearing Aids of Sarasota, a clinic that has provided 40 years of hearing services for Sarasota, Manatee and Hillsborough counties of Florida. She has worked in a variety of audiological roles, including a clinical audiologist, the Lead for the Florida Audiology Project, and an American Sign Language teacher.

Dr. Breese specializes in hearing loss treatment and tinnitus and is also qualified as an ASL interpreter.

The world of audiology can be surprisingly complex and multifaceted. Because it is a specialized field, there are a plethora of scenarios that might require a hearing expert. While many audiologists work in general practice, some have the opportunity to work in multiple corners of the industry.

Dr. Kelly Breese is a hearing specialist and audiologist with a unique resume. She has served as an American Sign Language teacher, an audiologist for animals, and the owner of a practice. Now you can have some insight into her subset of audiology. 

In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms interviews Dr. Kelly Breese, the Owner of Doc Side Audiology: Hearing Aids of Sarasota, to talk about her work in various corners of audiology. They touch on tinnitus, hearing treatment for animals, and how she came to acquire her own practice. They also discuss how she became specialized in tinnitus and her introduction to ASL.

With over 15 years of sales and marketing experience in healthcare, Suzanne Picerno founded At Home Hearing Services, LLC. The service offers in-home testing, quality hearing aids at affordable prices, and ongoing care. She started the company due to her own severe hearing loss and knowing she could help others overcome their own issues. 

In the past, Suzanne has worked with Beltone, Miracle-Ear, Inc., and Hearing Lab Technology.

Hearing loss is a complex and often misunderstood medical issue. Especially when hearing complications occur at a young age, it can be hard for people to know how best to find help. People’s experiences can help others going through similar situations. This is even more relevant when the person gets into the hearing aid business. Suzanne Picerno has dealt with hearing loss from an incredibly young age. Her ups and downs have brought her to greater knowledge of the issue, compelling her to assist others dealing with the same hardships. So what can you learn from her firsthand knowledge? In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms sits down with Suzanne Picerno, the Founder of At Home Hearing Services, LLC, to discuss her personal journey and her advice on hearing loss. They go through her trials, the technology she used, and how she found meaningful aid for her hearing. They also touch on her first book and how it’s helping people understand their own struggles.

Dr. Alice Cellino is the Executive Director at the Columbus Speech and Hearing Center, a practice offering diagnostic audiology, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy services. She has been with the location for more than 15 years, developing specialties in diagnostic audiological and vestibularological services for adults and children alike. 

Dr. Cellino attended Auburn University to earn her doctorate in audiology, previously majoring in business administration at Columbus State University.

Speech pathology and audiology are deeply related but often separate fields. They both delve deep into listening, hearing, and the underlying psychology, yet they rarely work in tandem. Some clinics are experimenting with blending and working with both. The Columbus Speech and Hearing Center is a rapidly-growing clinic that combines speech pathology and audiology practices. While they have specialists in both fields, they are able to serve their patients in a unique way. So how does their practice operate? In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms is joined by Dr. Alice Cellino, the Executive Director of the Columbus Speech and Hearing Center, to discuss the overlap between speech pathology and audiology. They talk about how she entered the field, her work as a director, and her practice's work. The two also touch on the future of the clinic and the influence of technology.