Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Joining a professional organization is more than paying dues—it’s a powerful step toward building connections, influencing change, and amplifying your voice. In this episode, host Dr. Carrie Spangler sits down with Dr. Gina Hounam (Audiology Program Manager at Nationwide Children's in Ohio) and Dr. Maggie Kettler (Senior Clinical Director at Cincinnati Children's) to explore the role professional organizations play in shaping the future of audiolo...
Aug 14, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 76
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! In this episode, I sit down with Cris Edwards, founder of SoQuiet, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals with misophonia through their mission of offering advocacy, support, and resources for people who suffer from misophonia so that they may lead productive and serene lives. Cris shares his personal journey living with misophonia, what inspired them to launch SoQuiet, and the nonprofit's growing impact through advocacy, education, and p...
Jul 09, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 75
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Welcome to a milestone moment for the EmpowEAR Audiology Podcast ! I’m Dr. Carrie Spangler—deaf/hard of hearing audiologist and certified professional coach—and today marks the beginning of a brand-new chapter. After 4.5 amazing years of partnership with 3C Digital Media Network, I’m stepping into the world of independent podcasting. I reflect on the journey so far, thank the voices who’ve helped shape this community, and share what’s next for the...
Apr 15, 2025•5 min•Season 1Ep. 74
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! In this episode of the EmpowEAR Audiology Podcast, meet author Tiffany Yu as we discuss her newly published book, The Anti-Ableist Manifesto. Tiffany is an award-winning social impact entrepreneur, disability advocate, and content creator. She is the founder and CEO of Diversability, a social enterprise dedicated to elevating disability pride and building disability power. Tiffany’s impressive career spans roles at Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg, and Re...
Jan 25, 2025•56 min•Ep. 73
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! In this insightful episode of empowEAR Audiology, I am joined by two experts in vestibular and balance care. Dr. Julie Honaker and Dr. Violette Lavender shed light on the complexities of vestibular disorders in children and adults. Representing care across the lifespan, they discuss the impact of these conditions on daily life, advancements in diagnosis and treatment, and the vital role audiologists play in managing balance and hearing health. Dr....
Dec 17, 2024•55 min•Ep. 72
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! In this episode of the empowEAR Audiology Podcast, we explore the importance of Educational Audiology Awareness Week with guests Dr. Kristin Jolkowski and Dr. Tori Ashton of the Educational Audiology Association, who highlights the essential role of school hearing screenings. They discuss how early identification of hearing loss impacts students' academic success and the importance of collaboration between educational audiologists, nurses, school ...
Oct 21, 2024•36 min•Ep. 71
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Dr. Matthew Barker is the Founder and Director of Acoustic Pioneer. With a Doctorate from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Dr. Barker has dedicated his career to advancing the field of audiology, particularly in the area of auditory processing. Part 2 of this podcast series focuses in on what to do once a child has been identified with an auditory processing deficit and how targeted direct interventions can improve this skill; thus im...
Oct 05, 2024•31 min•Ep. 70
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Matthew Barker, Founder and Director of Acoustic Pioneer, and a renowned Audiologist with a specialization in auditory processing. Dr. Barker completed his Doctorate at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2004, where he focused on testing auditory processing and its crucial role in language development and reading skills. He shares his insights on the significant impact of underdeveloped auditory p...
Sep 05, 2024•53 min•Ep. 69
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Join me for a repeat guest, Dr. Don Goldberg, CCC-SLP/A, FAAA, LSLS Cert. AVT, as we dive into the newly released Test of Auditory Functioning which is a criterion-based test for toddlers through school-age children who are deaf or hard of hearing available from Bluetree Publishing. This episode will explore the who, what, why, and where behind this important testing protocol for professionals who work with individuals who are deaf/hard of hearing...
Jun 21, 2024•42 min•Ep. 68
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Join me for an interview with the Deaf Queen Boss, Kellina Powell! Kellina is an entrepreneur, coach and author of the book “Everyday I am Just Deaf”. Kellina loves to help people with their personal growth and educate others about the deaf community. At the age of 4 she lost her hearing in both ears. She did not let anything stop her from what she wanted to accomplish. She received her psychology degree from York University and her post graduate ...
May 09, 2024•31 min•Ep. 67
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Today, we're joined by Gil Kaminski, co-founder of Humelan, a Public Benefit Corporation dedicated to guiding individuals through hearing health and wellness. Humelan offers a person-centered approach, community support, and an AI companion app for hearing health. Inspired to address the challenges faced by those with hearing loss, Humelan's vision is to empower human potential through communication equity. On the podcast, Gil shares the backstory...
Mar 26, 2024•29 min
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Extraordinary Dr. Jasmine Simmons is inspiring all of empowEAR’s listeners on today’s podcast. Dr. Jasmine is a deafblind audiologist and author who just published the first book in her Usher Syndrome Series called Extraordinary Jordyn and her Bionic Ears. On this podcast you will hear how Dr. Jasmine’s personal and professional experiences captivate this encouraging story about Jordyn who overcomes judgment for her cochlear implant and hearing ai...
Mar 01, 2024•31 min•Ep. 65
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Join me with Dr. Andrea Warner-Czyz for a conversation about the role of social skills and emotional regulation as it relates to children and adolescents who are deaf and hard of hearing. Dr. Warner-Czyz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas. In this engaging episode, Andrea shares about her research, peer victimization, and s...
Feb 15, 2024•40 min•Ep. 64
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Have you ever wanted to take your career to a new level? Do you feel stuck in your personal and professional life? Take a listen to the latest episode of empowEAR Audiology with guest Dr. Kari Morgenstein. Kari is the co-founder of dB Coaching group which focuses on championing and supporting healthcare professionals so they can thrive in their personal and professional lives. Dr. Morgenstein has utilized her life experiences including audiology t...
Jan 11, 2024•39 min•Ep. 63
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! The 3 A’s of Health Literacy - Accurate, Accessible, and Actionable. Today’s episode with Sydney Bassard (The ListeningSLP) takes a deeper dive into the importance of health literacy from a family and professional perspective. Sydney is an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist. She received her B.S. in Public Health and her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Carolina. Her clinical focus is working with individua...
Dec 07, 2023•28 min•Ep. 62
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Join me as I talk with Valli Gideons who is an author, speaker, and mother of two teens who were born with hearing loss. Valli is a repeat guest (go back to episode 29 and hear more of her story). In this episode, we chat about her book “Through the Fog: Navigating Life’s Challenges While Raising Kids with Hearing Loss. Valli shares the parts of her book navigating through the fog as a mom and how even when the future seems unsure, there is a way ...
Nov 02, 2023•38 min•Ep. 61
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Listen on Google Podcasts Click here for a transcript of the episode Get excited about the first annual Educational Audiology Awareness Week! empowEAR Audiology and EAA have teamed up to kick off the week with an overview podcast!! On today’s episode Dr. Tori Ashton and Dr. Kathi Riley, leadership from the Educational Audiology Association, share exciting activities and advocacy. This event will take plac...
Oct 16, 2023•19 min•Ep. 60
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Did you know that one of the most significant predictors of receptive and expressive language for children who use cochlear implants was the age at which they achieved full-time use of their devices? Achieving full-time use can be a challenge. Join Dr. Erika Gagnon, Au.D., and Erin Thompson, M.S., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert AVT as we take a deeper dive into the research, factors that impact full-time use and how to use the counseling concept of Hearing Ho...
Sep 14, 2023•42 min•Ep. 59
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Listen on Google Podcasts Click here for a transcript of the episode Take a listen to the latest empowEAR Audiology episode with Dr. Jace Wolfe, Ph.D. who is the Senior Vice President of Innovation at the Oberkotter Foundation and Hearing First. This conversation will highlight the exciting audiology-focused pediatric learning opportunities that are planned for the Hearing First community starting in Augu...
Aug 03, 2023•39 min•Ep. 58
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Join me for a conversation with Dr. Sarah Sydlowski as we dig deeper into why cochlear implants are NOT the last resort for patients with the expanding criteria. In this conversation, we discuss the current referral guideline and walk through a case study to help dispel some of the common misconceptions about referrals. Dr. Sarah Sydlowski, AuD, PhD, MBA, ABA Certified, CISC, is the Audiology Director of the Hearing Implant Program, Audiology Inno...
Jun 15, 2023•46 min•Ep. 57
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Have you ever met or worked with someone who experiences Misophonia or Annoyance Hyperacusis? Join me for a conversation with Dr. Lindsey Tubaugh who has been practicing audiology for 20 years. She is the co-founder of Little Heroes Pediatric Hearing Clinic in Utah. Dr. Tubaugh specializes in tinnitus and sound sensitivity disorders. Her passion is helping patients understand that sound sensitivity, while sometimes debilitating, can be managed. In...
May 18, 2023•58 min•Ep. 56
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Thibault Duchemin grew up in Paris, France as the only hearing person in a deaf family. Sign language was his first language, and he experienced from a very early age the multiple challenges that deaf and hard-of-hearing people face in understanding and communicating with the rest of society. Helping his family navigate between the hearing and the deaf worlds led Thibault to found Ava, a mobile-based artificial intelligence that empowers people wi...
Apr 07, 2023•46 min•Ep. 55
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Join me for an interview with Donna Sorkin, the executive director of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance, a national organization devoted to expanding access to cochlear implantation for all who may benefit. She has had a long career in advocacy for people with hearing loss at for-profit and non-profit entities. She has had a cochlear implant for over 30 years and brings her personal experience and enthusiasm to her work in the field. She was ...
Mar 23, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 54
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Have you ever been fatigued from listening? Join me for a conversation with Dr. Hilary Davis as she explains her research on listening-related fatigue and a tool, the Vanderbilt Fatigue Scales, that can be utilized clinically and educationally. Dr. Hilary Davis is a pediatric audiologist at the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center. She is the current past president of the Educational Audiology Association. She received her Bachelor of Science from the...
Feb 18, 2023•26 min•Ep. 53
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Join me on this empowEARing podcast with Chezi Pollack! Chezi is a teenager with bilateral cochlear implants who has advice for all of us…don’t give up! Life has its challenges, you can climb over those challenges, and greatness will come your way. Chezi was born in the United States and spent his first 11 years here before moving to Isreal. Join me for this empowEARing episode as Chezi shares about the obstacles he has overcome, his cochlear impl...
Jan 26, 2023•28 min•Ep. 52
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Join me for a personal and professional discussion about how a personal journey of living with hearing loss created a professional path to becoming a deaf ENT surgeon with Dr. Chad Ruffin. Dr. Ruffin was born with severe hearing loss and is uniquely equipped with the skills and experience to improve the lives of individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing. Dr. Ruffin completed his surgical training at Indiana University. He is passionate about us...
Jan 14, 2023•57 min•Ep. 51
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Join Dr. Carrie Spangler, host of empowEAR Audiology, in this gratefulness episode. Living out the mission of the 3C Digital Media Network, Dr. Spangler shares how she is grateful to personally be able to connect, collaborate, and communicate through her cochlear implant journey AND grateful to be the host of empowEAR Audiology and interview the multitude of guests. Take a listen to this GRATEFUL-themed episode reflecting back on the 2022 personal...
Dec 22, 2022•13 min•Ep. 50
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Join me in a conversation about how social determinants of health are critical conversation and considerations for improving hearing health care for individuals and families. Dr. Matthew L. Bush is an otolaryngologist, neurotologist, and professor at the University of Kentucky. He received his medical degree from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in Huntington, W.Va. He then completed an Otolaryngology research fellowship ...
Dec 02, 2022•59 min•Ep. 49
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! Join me in a moving conversation with Rebecca Alexander. In this conversation, Rebecca takes a deep dive into her own life that she has graciously shared in her published book “Not Fade Away: A Memoir of Senses Lost and Found”. Rebecca is a psychotherapist, extreme athlete, and activist. She grew up in Northern California and holds 2 master’s degrees from Columbia University. She lives in New York City. She was born with Usher syndrome Type III. I...
Oct 20, 2022•53 min•Ep. 48
Let's continue the conversation- send me a text! It is Official!!! Rally Caps was selected for the 31st Heartland International Film Festival in Indianapolis starting the week of October 10-16, 2022. This book to film shines a positive spotlight on deafness, cochlear implants, sports, and friendship. Join me as I talk with the woman who made this happen, Jodi Cutler. The message about accessibility and inclusion will be on the big screen thanks to Jodi's passion and purpose. Grab your popcorn an...
Oct 06, 2022•24 min•Ep. 47
