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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.

In this episode…

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.

In this episode…

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.

In this episode…

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.

In this episode…

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.

In this episode…

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.

In this episode…

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.

In this episode…

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.

In this episode…

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.

Dr. Meredith Holcomb is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Hearing Implant Program at the University of Miami’s Department of Otolaryngology. She spent the first 13 years of her career at the Medical University of South Carolina, working as an assistant professor and Clinical Director of their Cochlear Implant Program.

Dr. Holcomb is a past chair of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance Board of Directors and is currently on the Audiology Advisory Council for Advanced Bionics. She received her Doctorate in audiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

In this episode…

As awareness spreads for cochlear implants, so do the questions. Many people are uncertain about hearing treatment that goes beyond a simple, removable hearing aid. The best remedy for this confusion is education, and who better to educate than Dr. Meredith Holcomb.

Dr. Holcomb is the Director of the Hearing Implant Program at the University of Miami. She has become an expert in the hearing implant field and has refined her program’s process over the years. So how can you successfully educate and lead people through getting their cochlear implants?

Dr. Mark Syms invites Dr. Meredith Holcomb, an Associate Professor and the Director of the Hearing Implant Program at the University of Miami, onto the ListenUp! Podcast to talk about the cochlear implant process from start to finish. They break down each step, how they take care of their patients, and some of their unique practices. Dr. Holcomb also talks about why they contract out two processors and work with multiple implant companies.

Beth Eckel is the Founder and an artist at Doctor’s Art Gallery, a studio that specializes in creating and restoring anatomical artwork. She is a creative leader with her own design firm — Beth Eckel Designs — where she oversees the entire creative process. In the past, she has worked as an art director, multimedia designer, and motion graphic designer. 

Beth graduated from the Barcelona Academy of Art, where she studied Classical Realism Painting and Drawing.

In this episode…

The worlds of audiology and art rarely overlap. With so much emphasis on the treatment and business aspects, it can be a cold and clinical environment.

Beth Eckel, a classically-trained artist, saw this void and started working directly with medical professionals to create stunning art pieces that maintain precise anatomical accuracy. Her work has reached several medical fields, including audiology.

In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms talks with Beth Eckel, Founder and artist behind Doctor’s Art Gallery, to discuss her work. They talk about her time studying in Barcelona, how she maintains accuracy, why she started working with medical professionals, and the craziest project she’s ever completed.

Gregory Scott is the Founder of SoundPrint, an app that empowers users to search for places based on sound levels. He is considered a valuable resource within the audiology industry and has spoken at conferences including the Acoustical Society of America, the National Hearing Conservation Association, and the Hearing Loss Association of America.

In this episode…

Making your way in the world with hearing loss can be difficult. Even without hearing loss, the risk of permanent hearing damage is shockingly common in modern society. Unfortunately, there are very few tools that can help people know the audio profile of places before they arrive. That’s where SoundPrint comes in.

Gregory Scott is the Founder of SoundPrint, an app that creates a database for the noise levels of real-world locations. This allows people to find quiet spaces anywhere and helps warn people of potentially damaging levels. So how does the app work and where did it originate?

Dr. Mark Syms has an informative conversation with Gregory Scott, the Founder of SoundPrint, to discuss the new app. The two discuss how it was made, the technology behind it, and its most practical applications. They go onto other topics such as young hearing loss, good audio environments for conversations, and how different devices measure sound. Hear all of this and much more on this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast.

Nicholas Pitt is a third-generation hearing expert serving through his family’s hearing practice. He is a Hearing Instrument Specialist at HearingLife and was the Vice President of Optimal Hearing Systems, Inc. He has thorough experience as an educator, having taught everywhere from Tokyo to Istanbul to Georgia and more. His focus is on empowering patients and making the best information available.

In this episode…

Running a successful audiology practice is difficult, and many principles do not carry over to hearing care companies. While similar, there are some key differences, both in practice and on the operational side. Hearing care comes from its own legacy and practices.

For Nicholas Pitt, that legacy includes his family lineage. He is a third-generation hearing expert with additional background in education. That unique combination has allowed him to be an experienced specialist, a great leader, and a thorough communicator. So what principles from his hearing care practice should you consider for yours?

In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms has a discussion with Nicholas Pitt, a Hearing Instrument Specialist for HearingLife, to talk about his own experience with his practice and his insights on hearing care. They go through his background in education, improving the family business, and instilling core values. They also touch on the hiring process and finding strengths in different professions.

Mark Lorigan is a patient at ListenUp! Hearing Center. He spent almost four years as a medical corpsman in the Navy. He has a bachelor’s degree in biology and worked in the pharmaceutical industry in medical sales for 27 years. He has experience with sudden and dramatic hearing loss and wants to help increase awareness by sharing his journey.

In this episode…

Many people assume that hearing loss is a particular issue with only a few treatments. However, there are multiple causes that require specific care. Mark Lorigan was an average person before he discovered two layers to his hearing loss: fluid on his eardrum and gradual damage over a lifetime. Receiving treatment for the first helped show him the need for the second. In light of this, he wants to share his journey and encourage others to take the steps he did toward better hearing.

Dr. Mark Syms invites one of his patients, Mark Lorigan, to talk about his hearing experience on this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast. Together, they break down Mr. Lorigan’s initial issues and how they revealed his untreated hearing loss. They talk about the immediate benefits, listening to the people in your life on health issues, and how people adapt to hearing aids over time.

Amanda Mason is a licensed clinical social worker with two decades of experience. During her tenure as a social worker, she worked in healthcare in managerial and clinical roles. She has worked through her hearing loss through consistent treatment. She is married and is a proud mother of two children.

In this episode…

There is a large divide between medical advice from professionals and advice from other patients. While the expertise of audiologists is most important, it can be comforting to hear from other people struggling with hearing loss.

Amanda Mason is experienced with her own hearing loss, having struggled with it since birth. She has overcome many challenges by receiving different hearing treatments and technology. Her story serves as a powerful and informed example for others, and now she shares that story with you.

In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms invites Amanda Mason, a patient of his, to discuss her own journey with hearing loss. They talk about her early childhood, how hearing aids have changed over the years, and when she finally made the jump to try a cochlear implant. They also touch on the real world effects of both her hearing loss and the treatments she received.

Dr. Keith Darrow is an audiologist and neuroscientist with over 20 years in hearing health care. He is the Founder of Excellence in Audiology, a network that provides guidance for people who need hearing restoration and tinnitus treatment.

Dr. Darrow has worked as a speaker and content producer for AuDExperts. He is the host of The Dr. Darrow Podcast and has written several books including Preventing Decline, Stop Living in Isolation, and Healthy Food Healthy Brain.

In this episode…

As research continues to corroborate the connection between audiology and neuroscience, the need for shared education grows. Audiologists need to be considering the full scope of a patient’s health. Fortunately, there are leaders in the industry who are helping make the change.

Dr. Keith Darrow is a respected figure in audiology and neuroscience. He works as a consultant and even runs a bootcamp to help unify education in the two fields. His experience and network of specialists is quickly growing, so what do you need to know about the changing landscape?

In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms talks with Dr. Keith Darrow about the intersection of audiology and neuroscience. They discuss his bootcamp, the advice he gives for general practices, and how testing can be improved. They then touch on patient health and how the rise of over-the-counter hearing aids will affect the future.

Dr. Jacob Hunter is currently the Dedman Family Scholar in Clinical Care and an Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern. He has worked as an Assistant Professor for the UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Dr. Hunter started his medical career as an Otolaryngology Resident at Montefiore Medical Center. He completed his Neurotology Surgery Fellowship at Vanderbilt, where he specialized in acoustic neuroma surgery, cochlear implants, skull base surgery and chronic ear disease.

In this episode…

Epidemics are associated with infectious, quick-spreading diseases. However, the same principle applies to any medical issue that expands quicker than treatment can cover. The need for cochlear implants falls into this perfectly — the patients who could benefit from the technology greatly outnumber those receiving treatment. As a result, thousands upon thousands of people are living with deteriorating hearing loss and have made little effort to change their situation. So what can be done to provide more hearing care?

On this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms talks with Dr. Jacob Hunter, an Associate Professor at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, about the state of cochlear implants. They discuss raising awareness, utilizing data to make informed decisions, and building infrastructure. Lastly, they touch on the personal element of hearing counseling and how it plays into education.

Dr. Thomas Powers is a healthcare executive with over 35 years of experience in the hearing healthcare space. He has published over 40 articles and over 200 presentations on various audiological topics including technology, technique, and disruptive innovations. He is a Strategic Advisor for the Hearing Industry Association and has his own consultancy, Powers Consulting. 32 years of his career were spent with Siemens Hearing Instruments.

In this episode…

Over-the-counter hearing aids have presented a unique challenge to the audiology space. Having access to technology without corresponding treatment can be valuable for some patients but problematic for others. Many professionals in the industry have thoughts and concerns, especially Dr. Thomas Powers.

Working as a consultant, Dr. Powers knows the importance of care in combination with hearing aids. He has seen the rise in the OTC model and is able to help illuminate what the future holds.

In this episode of ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms interviews Dr. Thomas Powers about OTC hearing aids and what the public needs to know about them. They talk about the cost, how they have introduced ambiguity to the field, and the government regulations that affect them. They also touch on the retail component of hearing aids that is often overlooked.

Reese Jones is a Practice Trainer at AuDExperts where he works with practices around the country, training their staff to better help patients. He is dedicated to resolving the healthcare epidemic of hearing loss and the cognitive dysfunction associated with it. Before entering his current role, he worked at Intermountain Audiology Hearing Clinics and EIA Media Group. He is also a Kolbe Certified Consultant, administering assessments that measure the instinctual skill set of each individual.

In this episode…

Audiology is a unique and often challenging branch of healthcare. While many ailments and diseases are treated with urgency, there can be reluctance when it comes to hearing loss. The danger and difficulty still exist without the same willingness from most patients. What many people need is someone outside the conventional system to talk to them.

Reese Jones fills this need through his role at AuDExperts. Rather than merely sell patients on his own treatment or technology, he makes recommendations and helps them from a compassionate angle. So how does he do it?

In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms sits down with Reese Jones, a Practice Trainer at AuDExperts, to go over conversations with patients and how to navigate them. They talk about Reese’s own unique entrance into the field, his approach to those conversations, and the common questions that patients ask. They also touch on valuable resources that people should know.

Morgan Hutchings is the Senior Consultant of AuDExperts, a company that works with private practices by aligning their mindset, culture, science, and marketing. He earned his experience as the Director of Operations at Intermountain Audiology Hearing Clinics and was the Director of Accounts at AUDMA. His specialties include strategic analysis in the audiology field, core values identification, and what influences culture shift.

In this episode…

Many audiologists are so concerned with the care provided that they can lose sight of the practice itself. This is especially true for private clinics that have more freedom and higher expectations. Improving the quality of your clinic on every level can reap incredible rewards, both for your employees and your patients alike.

Morgan Hutchings works to help private practices transform lives beyond the audiological care. His outside perspective has proven effective for many clinics, and now you too can learn from his insights.

Dr. Mark Syms invites Morgan Hutchings, Senior Consultant at AuDExperts, onto the ListenUp! Podcast to discuss raising the bar among private audiology practices. They break down what most clinics do not realize about their patients, simple steps that can make a massive difference, and the resulting success stories. They also touch on how to keep the human element alive in your practice.

Dr. Laura Pratesi is the Doctor of Audiology and the Owner of Citrus Hearing Clinic, a practice she founded in 2018 to better serve her community. She was born with progressive hearing loss and uses her personal experience to inform her practice. She has worked in a variety of settings including private practice, hospitals, medical clinics, and alongside ear-nose-throat specialists.

Since starting her clinic, Dr. Pratesi has been named an Orlando Magazine Woman of the Year and has had publications featured in The Hearing Journal.

In this episode…

Running a private audiology practice comes with its own unique challenges and advantages. Freed from most common restraints, private clinics can tailor their services to the needs of their community. 

Dr. Laura Pratesi of Citrus Hearing Clinic wanted to bring her own hearing loss experiences to her treatment. Their specializations have grown to include aural rehabilitation, pediatric testing, balance therapy, and even patient education. Citrus Hearing Clinic lacks any financial or contractual obligations to certain manufacturers, enabling them to do what’s best for their patients. 

In this episode of the ListenUp! Podcast, Dr. Mark Syms sits down with Dr. Laura Pratesi, a Doctor of Audiology and the Owner of Citrus Hearing Clinic, to discuss her private practice and views on audiology. They talk about her own experiences with hearing loss and how it has shaped her treatment. They also go through hearing aid technology, the relationship between patient and audiologist, and what Dr. Pratesi’s learned along the way.