This Week in Hearing

By This Week in HearingHealth & Fitness

This Week in Hearing episodes

August 12, 2024 227 - Sounding Joy: Christy Vogel's Quest to Make Hearing Accessible for Every Child
Gael Hannan sits down with Christy Vogel, the inspiring founder of Sounding Joy. Christy shares her deeply personal journey with hereditary hearing loss, recounting the struggles she faced growing up without hearing aids and how those challenges ultimately fueled her mission to help others.
Through her nonprofit, Sounding Joy, Christy is dedicated to providing hearing aids to children from low-income families, ensuring they have access to the life-changing technology she herself missed out on for so many years.
The conversation delves into the profound impact of untreated hearing loss on children's lives, including the increased risks of addiction and suicide, and highlights how Sounding Joy is working to make hearing care accessible to those in need.
Learn more about Sounding Joy here: https://soundingjoy.org/
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28 min
August 07, 2024226 - Brandon Sawalich Reflects on 30 Years at Starkey and the Future of Hearing Care
Host Bob Traynor sits down with Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO of Starkey, as he celebrates his 30th anniversary in the hearing industry. Brandon reflects on his journey from working summer jobs at Starkey to ultimately leading the company.
He shares how hands-on experiences with hearing aids shaped his perspective, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, leadership, and curiosity. Brandon considers his greatest accomplishment to be the team he has built at Starkey and highlights his vision for the future of hearing care, focusing on AI and technological advancements to enhance both hearing and overall quality of life.
Under Brandon's leadership, Starkey has pioneered the integration of sensors and AI in hearing aids, establishing the company as a leader in technical innovation. His extensive experience, having held ten positions at Starkey before becoming CEO, has given him a deep understanding of the industry. Committed to exceptional customer service, Brandon's approach combines customized service, professional evaluation, and cutting-edge technology, earning him the 2023 Executive of the Year award in the Excellence in Customer Service Awards.
Beyond Starkey, Brandon serves on the George W. Bush Presidential Center’s Executive Advisory Council, Medical Alley’s Board of Directors, and supports Special Olympics Minnesota as a longtime board member.
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32 min
July 26, 2024225 - Exploring Rexton's New Reach Hearing Aid Platform with Kerrie Coughlin
Host Bob Traynor sits down with Kerrie Coughlin, Vice President of Marketing & Innovation at Rexton, to discuss the company's new Reach technology platform. The conversation highlights the capabilities of the Reach platform, designed to enhance communication in challenging listening environments.
Coughlin explains that Reach incorporates advanced features like multi-voice focus, which is designed to separate speech from background noise, improving users' confidence and comfort in noisy settings.
Coughlin emphasizes Rexton's commitment to providing reliable and affordable hearing aids through various partnerships, ensuring wider access without compromising on quality. The discussion also touches on the durability and user-friendly aspects of Rexton products, underlining the company's ongoing dedication to addressing the needs of individuals with hearing loss.
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19 min
July 24, 2024 224 - Legendary Composer Evan Solot on Navigating Hearing Loss as a Musician
Evan Solot is a celebrated music composer and trumpet player whose illustrious career spans over five decades, featuring collaborations with legends like Frank Sinatra and Bette Midler. In this episode, host Shari Eberts delves into Solot's remarkable journey, focusing on how he has navigated the challenges of hearing loss without letting it hinder his professional success.
Solot discusses the adaptations he has made to maintain his high standards in the competitive music industry. His story underscores the importance of high-quality hearing aids in capturing the full richness of sound, which is vital for his work.
He also reflects on the stigma associated with hearing aids in the music industry and the competitive nature of his field. He highlights the advancements in hearing aid technology, particularly the benefits of his current Signia hearing aids, which have significantly improved his auditory experience. He advises fellow musicians to address their hearing issues proactively to ensure they continue performing at their best.
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest episodes each week, and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter):
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26 min
July 22, 2024 223 - Audiology Employment Trends: What Job Seekers and Clinic Owners Need to Know
Host Dave Kemp sits down with Shadi Chakoutahi, the owner of Staffing Proxy, to discuss the current state of the employment market within the audiology sector. Shadi, whose firm specializes in recruiting and HR within hearing health, shares insights from her daily interactions with both prospective employees and employers. She highlights the challenges and trends in the market, such as generational differences in job expectations and the increasing demand for comprehensive roles that go beyond traditional hearing aid dispensing.
Shadi emphasizes the importance of employers adapting to these changes by offering competitive compensation, opportunities for professional growth, and unique value propositions to attract and retain talent.
The discussion also touches on the shifting dynamics in the job market, with more job openings than qualified candidates, giving employees significant leverage. Shadi provides data on the movement of audiologists across states and the varying tenure rates depending on the type of audiology practice. She notes that practices offering a broader scope of services tend to retain employees longer. Shadi advises employers to clearly define and communicate what sets their practice apart and to invest in their employees' growth and satisfaction to build a loyal and effective workforce.
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39 min
July 17, 2024222 - The Impact of Hearing Loss on Family Relationships
Tamra Dale, a former finance executive and now a dedicated stay-at-home mother, shares her challenging journey with hearing loss and its impact on her family life. Tamra first noticed her hearing difficulties in her early 30s, which led her to seek professional help. Despite initial setbacks with inadequate professional support and suboptimal hearing aids, her determination to stay present for her children drove her to find better solutions.
In 2023, Tamra was evaluated at HearUSA and ultimately fitted with a set of advanced Signia hearing aids. Her new devices have drastically improved her ability to engage in family activities and maintain strong connections with her children.
Tamra's son, Austin, joins the discussion, sharing his perspective on growing up with a mother experiencing hearing loss and how their family adapted and supported each other.
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23 min
July 15, 2024221 - Olympian Aaron Small on Hearing Loss and Collaboration with Phonak
Host Andrew Bellavia is joined by U.S. sprint kayak champion and Olympic athlete Aaron Small, who has recently been named a Global Brand Ambassador for Phonak. As he prepares to compete in the 2024 Olympics in Paris later this month, Aaron shares his journey of overcoming hearing loss challenges, balancing a rigorous training schedule, and excelling academically.
In their candid conversation, Aaron touches on the stigma associated with hearing loss and the significance of advocating for hearing health. He explains how his partnership with Phonak enables him to inspire others and promote inclusivity.
Aaron also highlights the benefits of Bluetooth connectivity and real-time captioning software, which have greatly enhanced his communication experience.
Learn more about Aaron's story here:
https://www.phonak.com/en-us/hearing-stories/feature-stories/pushing-the-limits--aarons-story
You can follow Aaron on Instagram at:
https://www.instagram.com/small.aaron/
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest episodes each week, and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter):
https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing/

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17 min
July 08, 2024220 - Pioneering Drug Development for Hearing Loss with Dr. Jonathan Kil
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Jonathan Kil, the CEO and CMO of Sound Pharmaceuticals to discuss the latest developments in hearing loss treatment. With a distinguished background in auditory neuroscience and otolaryngology, Dr. Kil co-founded Sound Pharmaceuticals over 22 years ago with a mission to develop drug-based therapies for sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. He has led the company’s research and development strategy, securing numerous NIH and Department of Defense awards, and spearheading numerous clinical studies.
Dr. Kil recounts the journey of Sound Pharmaceuticals over the past two decades, highlighting the challenges faced and milestones achieved. He focuses on the development of SPI-1005. SPI-1005 is an investigational drug that contains ebselen, a small molecule that is a new chemical entity, under FDA classification, an innovative drug currently in clinical trials for Meniere's disease, noise-induced hearing loss, and aminoglycoside ototoxicity. Dr. Kil emphasizes the importance of their work, explaining how these treatments aim to provide better solutions for patients and improve their quality of life.
Dr. Kil recounts the journey of Sound Pharmaceuticals over the past two decades, highlighting the challenges faced and milestones achieved. He focuses on the development of SPI-1005, an investigational drug containing ebselen, a novel anti-inflammatory compound that mimics and induces the activity of Glutathione Peroxidase, an enzyme critical to hearing and balance. Currently in clinical trials, SPI-1005 has shown safety and efficacy in treating three different forms of acquired sensorineural hearing loss in adults: loud sound exposure or acute noise-induced hearing loss, Meniere's disease, and antibiotic-induced ototoxicity.
Dr. Kil explains the science behind these innovative therapies, the potential impact they may have, and the rigorous steps being taken to bring them to market. The conversation provides a unique perspective on the current state and future of pharmaceutical treatments for hearing loss and other inner ear conditions.

Learn more about Sound Pharmaceuticals here: https://soundpharma.com
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest episodes each week, and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter):
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36 min
July 02, 2024219 - OrCam Hear: Leveraging AI Sound Source Separation to Tackle the Hearing in Noise Problem
OrCam is leveraging its expertise in AI-based devices to address the cocktail party problem in hearing technology with the introduction of OrCam Hear. The device, which made a notable debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), uses advanced AI to isolate and enhance specific voices in noisy environments. This innovation aims to significantly improve the speech-to-noise ratio, making it easier for users to participate in conversations even in loud settings.
The OrCam Hear consists of earbuds, a smartphone dongle, and an app that allows users to select and focus on particular speakers while filtering out background noise. The technology, rooted in OrCam's successful development of assistive devices for the visually impaired, offers a groundbreaking solution for those with hearing difficulties, including individuals who do not require traditional hearing aids but struggle in noisy environments.
To learn more about the OrCam Hear device, visit: https://orcam.co/ThisWeekinHearing
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest episodes each week, and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter):
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32 min
June 24, 2024 218 - The Impact of Instructional Audio on Modern Classrooms: An Interview with Dr. Stephanie Meyer
Host Shari Eberts sits down with Dr. Stephanie Meyer, who brings 28 years of audiology expertise, with 27 of those years devoted to educational audiology. Dr. Meyer discusses how instructional audio technology is reshaping modern classrooms, ensuring equitable access to the auditory curriculum for all students. She shares practical strategies for overcoming adoption barriers and offers her vision for the future of audiology in education.
Dr. Meyer discusses the benefits of various audio technologies, including direct systems that connect to students' hearing aids and surround sound systems that enhance classroom audio for everyone. She highlights the positive impact these technologies have on student engagement and learning outcomes, and discusses the challenges faced by students, teachers, and districts in adopting these systems.
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest episodes each week, and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter):
https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-week-in-hearing/
https://twitter.com/WeekinHearing
19 min

About This Week in Hearing

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The place where subject matter experts across the "World of Hearing" come together to discuss all things hearing health, hearing aids, hearables, consumer audio, and everything in-between.