The Hearing Journal by D'Anne Rudden

Dr. Rudden and Dr. Scholl continue the conversation on the Aftershow with lessons learned from a meeting with legislators, how to avoid burnout, and ways to stay educated on the top issues affecting audiology.   Learn more about SoundWrx.

Dr. Scholl is the Founder and Executive Director of SoundWrx, a non-profit in Tulsa, Okla., with the goal to educate, inspire, and demonstrate the unlimited abilities of people with hearing loss and give them the opportunity to live inclusively and to their full potential. She is also the Head of Pediatrics for Tuned, an online platform providing audiology care. Dr. Scholl joins the podcast this month to talk about her passion for advocacy and how audiologists can get involved.   Learn more about SoundWrx.

The conversation continues on the Aftershow with Drs. Swanepoel and Rudden. Listen to their discussion on a community-based, public health approach to patient care, as well as the ethics around teleaudiology.

Dr. De Wet Swanepoel joins Dr. D'Anne Rudden this month to discuss how audiologists can meet their patients in more accessible ways through teleaudiology. Dr. Swanepoel is Professor of Audiology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and an adjunct professor in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Audiology and founder of a digital health company called hearX group.

The conversation continues on the Aftershow with Drs. Zwolan and Goldstein. Listen to their discussion on the challenges of coding and reimbursement, speech-in-noise testing, and the MTSB-3 guidelines.   For more on the MTSB-3 guidelines, visit www.cochlearimplanttraining.com.

Dr. Terry Zwolan is the Director of Audiology Access and Standards of Care at Cochlear Americas. Dr. Mary Rose Goldstein is an audiologist at the Ear and Hearing Center in the Center for Neurosciences in Tucson, Arizona. They join Dr. D'Anne Rudden on the podcast this month to decode cochlear implant candidacy guidelines, the MTSB, and “best aided condition.”

The conversation continues on the Aftershow with Amy Badstubner, AuD, on how to optimize employee energy levels and finding professional fulfillment.   Dr. Badstubner and her business partner, Dr. Morganstein Dermer, host a free support group called "Hear Together." Register today at: https://forms.gle/KPVMUikghKaajbBL6. To learn more, contact Info@DBCoachingGroup.com.    

Amy Badstubner, AuD, is an audiologist, certified professional coach, and co-owner of dB Coaching Group. She joins the podcast to discuss professional coaching, leadership strategies, and how to hold your team accountable. Dr. Badstubner and her business partner, Dr. Morganstein Dermer, host a free support group called "Hear Together." Register today at: https://forms.gle/KPVMUikghKaajbBL6. To learn more, contact Info@DBCoachingGroup.com.

The conversation with Jenna Vallario, AuD, continues on the Aftershow where she and Dr. Rudden discuss the training program and Dr. Vallario's hopes for hearing health care in Malawi. Learn more and how to become involved at https://www.africanbiblecolleges.com/ and https://hearmalawi.causevox.com/.

Jenna Vallario, AuD, is helping educate the next generation of audiologists at African Bible College (ABC) in Malawi. ABC is the home of the only audiology degree program as well as the first audiology clinic in the country. She joined The Hearing Journal Podcast to share her journey and her pride in her students in Malawi. Learn more and how to become involved at https://www.africanbiblecolleges.com/ and https://hearmalawi.causevox.com/.

As the Executive Director of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, Stephanie Czuhajewski, CAE, is someone who has had a courtside seat to audiology's relationship with over-the-counter (OTC) devices and the fight for audiology's place in the health care conversation. She returns to the podcast this month to dissect the impact of OTCs on the one-year anniversary of the FDA's Final Rule going into effect.

The conversation with Stephanie Czuhajewski, continues on the Aftershow where she and Dr. Rudden look at the why behind some of the results of The Hearing Journal's original survey of readers about the OTC market's impact on audiology.

Dr. Judy Huch, a rare combination of business and give-back, leadership and humbleness, advocacy and activism, ethics and fearlessness, joins Dr. Rudden to talk about the necessity of sharing hearing health care with low-income patients and how to trust the right staff to keep your practice running healthfully.  

The conversation with Judy Huch, AuD, continues on the Aftershow with stories of how to manage the dark situation of employee embezzlement and how to prevent theft in your practice.

Dr. Weinstein and Dr. Blustein discuss the usefulness and practicality of cognition screenings at the audiology clinic. They address the need for a more positive narrative around hearing loss and dementia instead of a fear-based call to action. Read more in the June 2023 cover story, “A Closer Look at Hearing Loss, Dementia, and Stigma.”

Dr. Barbara Weinstein and Dr. Jan Blustein interpret the results of the ACHIEVE study recently published in The Lancet and address common misunderstandings of the data. The experts explain the difference between risk and risk factor, as well as correlation and causation.

Dr. Sarah Curtis continues the conversation on hearing health care inequality on our Aftershow. She shares tips to keep your clinic profitable while still serving patients with Medicaid, discusses why over-the-counter hearing aids didn't solve the cost problem for many folks, and explains how socioeconomic factors influence cochlear implant care.

Dr. Sarah Curtis shares what to keep in mind when treating a low-income patient. Dr. Curtis is the owner of Sounds of Life Hearing Center in Concord, Ohio. She also operates the nonprofit Hearing the Call - Northeast Ohio (hearingthecall.org).

Dr. D'Anne Rudden speaks with Dr. Gabrielle Saunders about some of the gray areas of audiology, such as the nuanced relationship between hearing aids, dementia, and hearing loss.   Dr. Saunders is a Senior Research Fellow at the Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness at the University of Manchester and is affiliated with the VA Rehabilitation R&D National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research (NCRAR) in Portland, Oregon. For more on this topic, check out Dr. Saunders's feature in the May 2023 issue of The Hearing Journal: Do Hearing Aids Reduce Dementia, or Does Dementia Reduce Hearing Aid Use?

Dr. Rudden and Dr. Saunders continue the conversation by tackling the tough question of whether the audiology clinic is the appropriate place for cognitive screening in patients with suspected dementia.    For more on this topic, check out Dr. Saunders's feature in the May 2023 issue of The Hearing Journal: Do Hearing Aids Reduce Dementia, or Does Dementia Reduce Hearing Aid Use?

Dr. Rudden and Dr. Clark continue the conversation on where audiologists fit in the teleaudiology landscape by considering the benefits of audiology assistants and collaborative health care teams.   For more on this topic, check out Dr. Clark's feature in the May 2023 issue of The Hearing Journal: Expanding Audiology Services Through Telehealth Enabled Partnerships.

Dr. D'Anne Rudden speaks with Dr. Jackie Clark about the evolution of telehealth for audiology. Dr. Clark shares how the COVID-19 pandemic's forced reliance on telehealth helped the world of audiology begin to embrace technology that had existed underutilized for several years.   For more on this topic, check out Dr. Clark's feature in the May 2023 issue of The Hearing Journal: Expanding Audiology Services Through Telehealth Enabled Partnerships.  

Michele Ahlman joins us again on the aftershow to stress the importance of “patient personas” to your marketing, daily business operations, and patient communication strategy. Learn what else to consider when trying to create a positive patient impression of your clinic.

What's the recipe for success for audiologists practicing in this changing landscape? Dr. Rudden talks with Michele Ahlman, Founder and CEO of Clear Digital Media, a designer and developer of waiting room video content. As a longtime partner to audiologists, Michele shares valuable insights about the patient journey.

Dr. Colucci and Dr. Traynor join us again on the aftershow to discuss some of their more memorable cases as expert witnesses, what orientation courses to pursue, and how to request more evidence when needed in a trial.

Have you ever considered using your extensive audiology knowledge to serve as an expert witness? This month, we talk with Dr. Dennis Colucci and Dr. Robert Traynor about forensic audiology and you can get involved. Learn what type of cases might require an audiology expert witness, how to set up your professional fees, and how to prepare for a case.

Tune in to the aftershow for a look inside a career in hearing conservation. And learn more about how Dr. Linton successfully juggled the responsibilities of her private practice while serving as an active-duty military audiologist.  

On the podcast this month, Dr. Rudden talks with Kelley Linton, AuD, about blending areas of audiology that on the surface look like total opposites yet make complete sense when fused together. Dr. Linton is the owner of both Center for Hearing and Balance and Center for Industrial Audiometrics in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She is a professional supervisor and course director with certifications from the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC). Dr. Linton is an adjunct professor for the University of Arkansas. And she's a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Public Health Command.

Tune in to the aftershow for valuable insights on surviving and thriving in a rural practice setting. Dr. McArthur shares what it's like to live and work in such a small town and why rural audiology practices should never be overlooked for larger urban practices.   Read the transcript here.

Listen to why rural audiology can be a highly rewarding field of practice. On the podcast this month, Dr. Rudden talks with Dr. Rachel McArthur about why wearing so many hats out of necessity in rural hearing care keeps the job interesting, exciting, and satisfying. Dr. McArthur is a Board-certified audiologist and owner of McArthur Audiology, where she provides audiological services for all ages in eastern Colorado and northwest Kansas.   Read the transcript here.

Could there quite literally be a magic pill to prevent hearing loss? Dr. Rudden speaks with Dr. Lori Halverson about a breakthrough antioxidant nutritional supplement designed to support better hearing called Soundbites. Dr. Halverson is currently providing clinical research data on Soundbites. Read the transcript here.

You brush your teeth every day to prevent cavities. Why wouldn't you take a daily supplement to prevent hearing loss as well? The conversation with Dr. Lori Halverson on the science behind hearing preservation continues. Dr. Halverson explains the research on the effect of excess free radicals on hearing health that led to Soundbites. Read the transcript here.

Welcome to a special edition of The Hearing Journal Podcast! This month, Dr. Rudden explores the FDA final rule on over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids in a 4-part series. Part 2 of our series interviews Dr. Alicia Spoor on the creation of a new category of prescription hearing aids and the need for all states to review their licensure laws. Dr. Spoor is the owner of Designer Audiology in Highland, Maryland. She serves as the Advocacy Chair for the Academy of Doctors of Audiology and is the Legislative Chair for the Maryland Academy of Audiology. She is also Past President of both organizations. Read the transcript here.

Welcome to a special edition of The Hearing Journal Podcast! This month, Dr. Rudden explores the FDA final rule on over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids in a 4-part series. Part 1 of our series interviews Dr. Victor Bray and Dr. David Akbari on a review of the FDA final rule and how it defines an OTC device. Dr. Bray is an Associate Professor of Audiology at Salus University and the Past President of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology. Dr. Ackbari is the Senior Medical Science, Clinical and Regulatory Affairs Liaison at Intricon Corporation and serves as the current Chairman of the ANSI/ASA S3 WG48 working group that develops and maintains standards for the objective measurement of hearing aids. Read the transcript here.

Welcome to a special edition of The Hearing Journal Podcast! This month, Dr. Rudden explores the FDA final rule on over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids in a 4-part series. Part 4 of our series interviews Dr. Kristin Davis on how audiologists can spring into action and look forward to a positive future with new opportunities for the profession. Dr. Davis is the owner of Davis Audiology, which includes three successful practices throughout South Carolina. In 2017, she was co-awarded the Academy of Doctors of Audiology's Craig W. Johnson Audiology Advocate Award. She currently serves as President of the ADA Board of Directors. Read the transcript here.

Welcome to a special edition of The Hearing Journal Podcast! This month, Dr. Rudden explores the FDA final rule on over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids in a 4-part series. Part 3 of our series interviews Stephanie Czuhajewski on the current and potential obstacles audiologists face due to the FDA final rule. Stephanie Czuhajewski is the Executive Director of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology. She has two decades of nonprofit leadership experience, with a focus on outreach and stakeholder relations. Read the transcript here.

The conversation with Dr. Ginger Grant continues as she shares insight into the typical barriers preventing folks from pursuing cochlear implantation and how the candidacy guidelines differ between adults and children with hearing loss. Read the transcript here.

This month, Dr. Rudden joins Dr. Ginger Grant, for a discussion on cochlear implant (CI) candidacy guidelines. Dr. Grant, a professional education manager at Cochlear, shares the story of her entry into the cochlear specialty of audiology, the changes CI candidacy has seen over the years, and how audiologists can help patients find a CI provider. Read the transcript here.

This month, Dr. Rudden talks music audiology with Dr. Heather Malyuk, exploring music-induced hearing loss, considerations when treating musicians, and the impact of tinnitus on the musical community.

The conversation with Dr. Heather Malyuk continues as we explore the nuances of ear plugs, how to incorporate teleaudiology into your practice, and how audiologists of different specialties can work together to provide a patient the best care possible.

The conversation with Dr. Bre Myers on audiologists' roles in fall prevention continues. Dr. Myers shares how to screen for balance issues, utilize the proper equipment, and bill for the service. Some simple yet effective treatment strategies are offered. Read the transcript here.

Falls can be a scary reality for many older Americans. This month on the podcast, Dr. Rudden talks with Dr. Bre Myers, about why audiologists are uniquely poised to offer vestibular assessments and screen patients for balance issues. Dr. Myers is an associate professor and assistant dean in the Osborne College of Audiology at Salus University and an associate editor for Audiology Today. She regularly performs vestibular diagnostic evaluations at the Pennsylvania Ear Institute. Read the transcript here.

Dr. Kathleen Wallace, a licensed New York audiologist and hearing aid dispenser, as well as an adjunct professor, joins the podcast this month to discuss the nuances of gender parity in audiology. How has social conditioning and the “confidence gap” impacted elements of the profession today, including salary negotiation? Audiology has only evolved into a female-dominated profession in recent decades; Dr. Wallace shares a history lesson on how this change in demographics came to be. Read the transcript here.

Dr. Kathleen Wallace and Dr. D'Anne Rudden continue their discussion of gender equity in audiology. How can women navigate the “glass labyrinth” of twists and turns on their career journey? How has an older patient demographic and public perception of female clinicians affected the treatment of women in audiology? Read the transcript here.

Shari Eberts and Gael Hannan continue to discuss ways to live your best life with hearing loss, including favorite over-the-counter tools and “hearing hacks” that even those without hearing loss should use. Read the transcript here.

You hear a lot about treating hearing loss, and as important as that is, living a full, enjoyable life with hearing loss is perhaps just as important. Noted advocates Shari Eberts and Gael Hannan are hearing to help with the latter, having banded together to write the book Hear and Beyond: Live Skillfully with Hearing Loss (out this month). Read the transcript here.

Many people live with auditory processing disorder, but audiologists often run into barriers when trying to implement services for APD into their practices. Tom Goyne, AuD, is here to talk about how to overcome those barriers and successfully incorporate ADP treatment and management. Read the transcript here.

Tom Goyne, AuD, continues to discuss ways to implement APD services into your audiology practice, including verification and what Ted Lasso has to do with it. Read the transcript here.

Despite having access to additional data through electroacoustic analysis (EAA), many audiologists are still reluctant to use EAA for its full potential. Dr. Laura Pratesi covers the most important tests to perform with EAA, what the test results really mean, and why we should all be using EAA a lot more. Read the transcript here.

Dr. Laura Pratesi shares her own journey with progressive hearing loss and bilateral hearing aids before diving into the benefits of electroacoustic analysis (EAA). Dr. Pratesi advocates that all audiologists should incorporate EAA into their clinical setting much more often to obtain more concrete answers on the functionality of patients' hearing aids. She covers the different scenarios for which she recommends turning to EAA for data. Read the transcript here.

How do audiologists begin the process of unbundling? Dr. Erica Person shares tips for success for audiology practices interested in implementing a fee-for-service business model. Listen as she unravels the mysteries of unbundling. Read the transcript here.