ListenUp!

Dr. Douglas L. Beck is a well-known figure in audiology and the Vice President of Clinical Sciences for Cognivue, a company that manufactures adaptive hearing solutions for the modern age. Dr. Beck is a prolific author on the subject, having 185 different publications to date through Oticon, where he worked as Vice President of Academic Sciences from 2005-22. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at State University of New York at Buffalo and the Senior Editor of Clinical Research at Hearing Review.

With modern medicine and science, research is rapidly accelerating. Particularly for burgeoning or underexplored fields, the pace of research can make it difficult for the public to catch up — making it even more important for experts to inform everyday people on the key takeaways from recent studies. Dr. Douglas Beck is an established figure in audiological research. His current role at Cognivue sits at the intersection between cognition and hearing loss. The overlap between the two has only grown with further research, and now, you can learn even more about the connection.

In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms talks once again with Dr. Douglas Beck, the Vice President of Clinical Sciences at Cognivue, to explore the cutting edge research on hearing loss and cognitive decline. They discuss some of the new studies, the history of the research, and the risk factors for dementia. The two also go through Cognivue’s test and how it works.

Dr. Bruce Gantz is a Professor of Otolaryngology and the Head of the Head and Neck Surgery Department at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He's been practicing audiology for over 40 years, recently stepping down as the Chairman of the department. Dr. Gantz is one of the world's top cochlear implant surgeons and is a leader in the cochlear implantation space.

To the general public, hearing aids and cochlear implants are the extent of their hearing technology knowledge. What fewer people are aware of are the complex differences between various styles, models, and brands. These can create massive advantages in hearing treatment that other options may fail to produce. 

Hybrid implants are a lesser-known variant that utilizes both acoustic hearing and electronics to help people hear. The combination has proven results but it has yet to break through in the mainstream consciousness. So what should you be aware of about the technology?

In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms talks with Dr. Bruce Gantz, Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of Iowa, to discuss hybrid hearing implants. They break down the studies performed on the subject, using robotics for better implantation, and the limitations of fully-electronic models. They also touch on what the future might hold for hearing treatment and technology.

Dr. David Akbari is an award-winning audiologist and public policy advocate, specializing in evidence-based best practices. He is the Senior Medical Science and Clinical Affairs Liaison for Intricon Corporation, where he has worked for over a decade. Dr. Akbari’s ideas have been published in the Star Tribune, MedCity News, The Hearing Review, Hearing Health & Technology Matters, and The Wall Street Journal. He also serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for The Hearing Review and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology Task Force on OTC Hearing Aids.

Over-the-counter hearing aids introduce a unique problem to the world of audiology. A complex issue such as hearing care is being given over to the general public, changing the subject from purely medical to financial as well. This raises questions for manufacturers and hearing professionals on how to best take care of patients. Dr. David Akbari has transitioned his career toward upholding better standards for hearing technology. He is on several committees and boards dedicated to best practices so patients won’t be left in the dark. Now you can learn how these changes will change the audiological landscape.

Dr. Mark Syms is joined by Dr. David Akbari, the Senior Medical Science and Clinical Affairs Liaison for Intricon Corporation, on this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast to discuss better standards for hearing technology. They talk about Dr. Akbari’s background in music and audiology treatment, what Intricon is doing to improve OTC hearing aids, treating comorbidities, and working with manufacturers.

Dr. John Greer Clark is an audiologist with notable contributions to his field over the past 40 years. He maintains a private practice in Middletown, Ohio and is on the faculty at the University of Cincinnati’s doctoral program. Additionally, he is a researcher and an author of multiple seminal audiology texts, including the popular textbook Introduction to Audiology.

Dr. Clark received his clinical training at the University of Texas at Austin and his doctorate at the University of Cincinnati where he continues to teach.

The term audibility is helpful as it gets to the root of the matter. Many people experience hearing loss, but understanding their ability to perceive sound is even more important than their physical capacity to hear. The two are deeply interconnected, but focusing on audibility can be helpful for those looking to tangibly help their patients.

Dr. John Greer Clark is an audiologist who wrote one of the foundational texts on audiology, Introduction to Audiology. He has worked in the educational, clinical, and research spaces, allowing him to understand the meeting point between the practical and the theoretical. This is what he has to say about audibility.

In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms talks with Dr. John Greer Clark about audibility, hearing loss, and how to be better practitioners. They discuss why hearing clarity can never be fully restored, counseling patients, the family dynamic of hearing loss, and the use of probe microphones.

Lou Ferrigno is an accomplished actor, fitness expert, and retired professional bodybuilder. He won an IFBB Mr. America title and two consecutive IFBB Mr. Universe titles as a bodybuilder. In his acting career, he portrayed the title role in The Incredible Hulk, Sinbad of the Seven Seas, Hercules, and was featured in the documentary Pumping Iron.

Lou now leads his own lifestyle brand, Ferrigno FIT, where he promotes healthy living.

Hearing health has been historically stigmatized and disregarded. This means that advocacy and representation is especially important. When respected or beloved public figures speak about their experiences, it helps others feel less alone and encourages them to take action. Few people seem stronger than Lou Ferrigno, a renowned bodybuilder and actor for the original The Incredible Hulk TV series. His personal experience with hearing loss has led him to advocate for others to take action as well. 

In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms sits down with Lou Ferrigno to talk about his journey through hearing loss. They talk about the technology he tried, what he currently uses, and how it changed his life. They touch on his long career as well and what he is doing to this day.

Dr. Brad Stewart is the Founder of AudCoach, his consultancy that helps audiologists improve their practices. He built his own clinic up to seven figures of annual revenue in under 8 years before exiting. Since then, he has assisted almost 400 clinics and more than 200 practice owners achieve greater profits and more efficient treatment.

Dr. Stewart is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Texas and a Chief Audiology Consultant at Audflow.

Many audiology practices are operating much less efficiently than they should be. More specifically, some clinics are completely dependent on the head audiologist to make any and all decisions. This leads to a clunky, unoptimized system that fails to help patients and generate more revenue. Dr. Brad Stewart is an audiologist who built up his practice and automated the majority of the clinic’s operations. The result was a profitable location that he exited within 8 years of starting. He now lends that same experience to other audiology clinics looking to improve.

In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms interviews Dr. Brad Stewart, the Founder of AudCoach, to discuss the best ways to automate and optimize your audiology practice. They start with Dr. Stewart’s own experience with his clinic and how he advises his clients. The two go into more detail on how to perform initial consultations, leaving a lasting impression, and what’s holding back most practices.

Dr. Fred Pescatore is a physician with more than three decades spent studying, researching, and practicing medicine around the globe. Prior to opening his own practice, he was the Associate Medical Director of The Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine. He studied in Southeast Asia, India, Japan, Africa, and Europe after graduating from medical school at Columbia University.

Dr. Pescatore has written nine books and has been featured on popular TV shows like Rachael Ray, The Today Show, Extra, and The View.

With an avalanche of differing medical opinions, it can be difficult to know how to live healthily. Many sources offer singular solutions to complex problems, leaving people more confused than when they started. Fortunately, some of the most important aspects of health are simple and easy to apply. Here are some of the basics you should know. In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms talks with Dr. Fred Pescatore about the best advice for living a healthy life. They talk about Dr. Pescatore’s travels around the world and what he learned from those experiences. He also goes into depth on brain health, the need for daily movement, and the three most important steps to improving your health.

Dr. Victor Bray has a storied, 45-year career that covers a range of hearing healthcare disciplines. He is an Associate Professor at Salus University where he has taught for over 13 years. Some of his notable previous positions include Senior Management at Otokinetics and Sonic Hearing Aids, a Clinical Audiologist at Austin Ear Clinic, and an Educational Consultant at Starkey Hearing.  

Dr. Bray’s current research focuses on comorbidities in audiological medicine and the role of audiology in public health.

Without realizing it, many of us take the healthcare workforce for granted. We assume new doctors and technicians will take the place of the former generation. This is true for most medical fields, but there are some that lack the same growth. Audiology is a prime example, with barely enough employees to meet the rising needs of the U.S. population. So what can be done to remedy this issue? 

Dr. Victor Bray is a known figure in the audiology community and is a professor at Salus University. His recent focus has been helping students prepare to join the audiology space. So what does this help look like in practice?

In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms speaks with Dr. Victor Bray, an Associate Professor at Salus University, to talk about the state of the audiology workforce. They break down recent developments in the industry, how it applies to employees, and what the future might hold. They also touch on clinical practice and how to operate as both a business and a medical center.

Kaitlin Walsh is an artist specializing in abstract anatomical watercolor as well as oil paintings. She started Lyon Road Art in 2015, where she married her graduate degree in biomedical visualization with her talent for painting. Kaitlin is a known figure in the anatomical art community, having sold more than 5,000 prints. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and three children.

Anyone who has taken time to study the human body knows how beautiful it can be. There is a level of detail and mechanical design that naturally lends itself to art. Most artists stop at the shape and the appearance of people without going beneath the surface.

Kaitlin Walsh is an artist who has made a name for herself by creating watercolor and oil paintings of human anatomy. She uses her passion and degree in anatomy to make vivid, beautiful pieces. Her work is hung up in doctor’s offices around the world. Now she is here to explain her process. In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms interviews Kaitlin Walsh, the Owner and Founder of Lyon Road Art, to talk about her work in anatomical art. They discuss her research, why she started her studio, and some of her favorite pieces. The two also touch on her creative process and how to see anatomy through a different lens. Listen to the full episode to hear all of this and more.

Dr. Emily McMahan is a clinical audiologist and the Founder of the Alaska Hearing & Tinnitus Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Her clinic works with the entire state of Alaska, often utilizing telehealth appointments. She works as a consultant with other providers, specializing in tinnitus and hearing damage management. She is also currently the President of the Audiology Practice Standards Organization.

There are a lot of inconsistencies across the audiology space. Differences between clinics, states, and even patients can make proper care harder than it should be. Many organizations are attempting to regulate and standardize the process, but there is plenty of work left to be done. The Audiology Practice Standards Organization is at the forefront of this work, and with a new president, they are making important changes that audiologists should know. In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms talks to Dr. Emily McMahan, the President of the APSO, to discuss the new developments for hearing treatment standardization. They talk about her practice in Alaska and the unique challenges it brings. The two then dive in-depth on best practices, priorities for new changes, and protecting patients through better communication.