Send us a text Two hundred episodes. Six years. One hundred twenty-one countries. The Hearing Matters Podcast celebrates a remarkable milestone in its mission to educate and connect the global hearing healthcare community. Host Blaise Delfino's journey from college radio DJ to global hearing healthcare advocate encapsulates the power of finding your purpose. What began in a 400-square-foot family practice as a simple tool to answer patient questions has evolved into an international platform rea...
Jul 09, 2025•55 min•Ep. 200
Send us a text Crossing the threshold into better hearing often feels overwhelming for patients who've postponed treatment for years. What makes the difference between hesitation and confident decision-making? The answer lies in experiencing transformation firsthand through expertly conducted in-office hearing aid demonstrations. This episode dives deep into why these demonstrations represent a crucial moment in the patient journey. When a patient has waited 7-10 years to address their hearing l...
Jul 01, 2025•23 min
Send us a text When Lindsay Dain first had a student with hearing aids in her kindergarten classroom, she understood the basics of her FM system but admits she "didn't really understand the value." This honest reflection captures the essence of why Lindsay's work matters so deeply today; there's a critical gap between having hearing technology and truly understanding its importance in a child's life. Lindsay's journey from mainstream educator to deaf education specialist to children's book autho...
Jun 25, 2025•41 min
Send us a text Tinnitus affects millions, yet remains shrouded in misunderstanding, misinformation, and damaging myths. In this illuminating conversation, audiologist Dr. Alexandra Tarvin of Elevate Audiology brings clarity, hope, and cutting-edge solutions to one of hearing healthcare's most challenging conditions. "There is hope and there is help," Dr. Tarvin reassures listeners as she guides us through the reality of tinnitus management today. Drawing from her extensive experience as a tinnit...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr
Send us a text Dr. Larry Humes discusses the critical difference between hearing wellness (pure tone audiometric results) and the broader concept of auditory wellness which encompasses psychosocial health and speech comprehension abilities. This distinction explains why millions of Americans with normal audiograms still struggle with listening difficulties in everyday situations. In this episode you'll learn: • Hearing wellness refers specifically to pure tone thresholds while auditory wellness ...
Jun 13, 2025•23 min
Send us a text Dr. Douglas Beck hosts a special episode featuring audiology pioneers Dr. David Majit and Dr. Gary Dorf, whose combined experience spans nearly a century in hearing healthcare. Unlike typical clinical discussions, this conversation reveals the personal journeys of two professionals who helped transform audiology during its formative years. Their stories weave through pivotal industry moments – from building successful California practices to lecturing in Japan where they introduce...
Jun 06, 2025•30 min
Send us a text Achieving a hearing aid return rate below 1% isn't accidental—it's the result of thoughtful systems and genuine patient care. Drawing from years of successful private practice experience, this episode unpacks strategies that transform patient outcomes while strengthening your practice's financial health. Financial barriers represent a significant obstacle for many potential hearing aid users. By implementing flexible financing options tailored to patient needs, you remove a major ...
May 30, 2025•30 min
Send us a text When communication becomes challenging, how do we maintain the deep, meaningful connections that make life worth living? This provocative question lies at the heart of our conversation with Gael Hannan, writer, advocate, and bimodal hearing device user who brings remarkable insight into the intersection of hearing loss and intimate relationships. Gail's perspective that "connection with others is as vital as air, water, food—and wine =) sets the tone for an exploration that goes f...
May 22, 2025•50 min
Send us a text Bridget Dobyan, Executive Director of the Hearing Industries Association (HIA) , joins us to share her remarkable journey from childhood hearing loss to becoming a powerful advocate for hearing health policy. Diagnosed with cholesteatoma at age 8, she experienced sudden hearing loss at 11 when the condition severely damaged the bones in her middle ear. But rather than letting this define her limitations, Bridget used it as a foundation for understanding the issues she'd later addr...
May 14, 2025•35 min
Send us a text The connection between hearing loss and cognitive decline represents one of the most crucial health discoveries of our time—yet it remains surprisingly under-discussed in mainstream wellness conversations. Madison Levine, BC-HIS , founder of Levine Hearing and second-generation hearing care professional, joins us to explain why this matters and how hearing professionals are changing their approach to patient education. A groundbreaking study published in JAMA Otolaryngology found ...
May 06, 2025•41 min
Send us a text What's the difference between following ethical codes and living ethical principles? In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Douglas Beck sits down with Dr. Michael Page, lead ethicist and author, to explore the complex ethical terrain healthcare professionals navigate daily. Dr. Page draws a crucial distinction that transforms how we approach ethics: "If we live the principles of ethics, the codes of ethics just automatically fall underneath that." Rather than seeking the out...
May 02, 2025•42 min
Send us a text Step into the future of hearing technology as Dave Fabry and Holly Schissel unveil Starkey's groundbreaking Edge AI platform and accessories that are revolutionizing the hearing experience. This fascinating deep dive showcases how cutting-edge innovation is removing barriers for people with hearing loss in ways previously unimaginable. At the heart of this conversation is Starkey's Deep Neural Network technology, delivering up to 13dB improvement in signal-to-noise ratio while mai...
Apr 24, 2025•38 min
Send us a text When you hear "managed care" in audiology, what comes to mind? In this eye-opening conversation between Dr. Douglas Beck and Dr. Noël Crosby, the troubling reality of third-party payment systems in hearing healthcare takes center stage. Dr. Crosby, a three-time president of the Florida Academy of Audiology with decades of clinical experience, pulls back the curtain on how managed care administrators position themselves between patients, insurance companies, and audiologists – ofte...
Apr 08, 2025•31 min
Send us a text What if your entire life changed at the age of 19? Matt Hay shares his incredible journey of sudden hearing loss due to neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) and the pivotal moment an audiologist recognized the need for further medical evaluation, leading to his diagnosis. This episode underscores the critical importance of comprehensive audiology practices and the life-altering impact of an accurate diagnosis. Join us as we explore the pioneering world of auditory brainstem implants (AB...
Apr 01, 2025•41 min
Send us a text Why can some people completely forget about their tinnitus when engaged in challenging activities, while others remain painfully aware of it no matter what they do? The answer lies in our brain's complex attention systems, according to Dr. Grant Searchfield. In this illuminating conversation with host Dr. Douglas L. Beck, Dr. Searchfield unpacks his groundbreaking scoping review on attention's role in tinnitus management. While most practitioners acknowledge attention's importance...
Mar 26, 2025•32 min
Send us a text Dr. Douglas Beck sits down with Dr. Brandon Paul to unravel the fascinating world of auditory neuroplasticity and its profound implications for hearing health. Dr. Paul shares cutting-edge research on how our brains adapt when hearing diminishes—and what happens when we restore that sensory input. The conversation begins with a clear explanation of neuroplasticity as the brain's ability to reorganize itself throughout our lives, though most actively during early development. When ...
Mar 20, 2025•25 min
Send us a text Ever wondered why some hearing aids feel invisible while others never quite sit right? The secret lies in the impression-taking technique—and Ray Woodworth is the master. Ray joins Dr. Douglas Beck on the Hearing Matters Podcast to reveal the artistry behind deep canal impressions. As a Board-Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist at Starkey's Center for Excellence, Ray has tackled some of the most challenging fittings nationwide, refining techniques that transform patient experi...
Mar 13, 2025•30 min
Send us a text Are you or someone you know struggling to hear in noisy environments, yet are told your hearing is normal? This episode of the Hearing Matters podcast focuses on the often overlooked yet critical concept of subclinical hearing loss. Experts Dr. Christina Roup and Dr. Douglas L. Beck discuss the limitations of traditional pure-tone audiometry, revealing how it fails to capture the full spectrum of auditory challenges faced by many individuals today. This episode provides valuable i...
Mar 05, 2025•34 min
Send us a text Are you aware of the sounds your ears can’t hear? This episode dives deep into extended high-frequency hearing, a vital but often overlooked component of audiology. Join us to uncover how testing ranges above 8,000 Hz can reveal significant insights into your auditory health. Dr. Melissa Fling shares her expertise and personal experiences as an audiologist. She explains the science behind high-frequency hearing loss and challenges the traditional limitations of standard audiometri...
Feb 28, 2025•32 min
Send us a text Unlock the secrets of speech audiometry and speech perception with the renowned Dr. Lisa Lucks Mendel. With over 35 years of expertise, Dr. Mendel offers an enlightening exploration into the significance of choosing the right tests for speech perception assessments. Learn why classic tests like NU6 and CIDW22 remain relevant and how full 50-item word lists provide a more authentic reflection of natural speech sounds. Discover the rationale behind shorter word lists and how they ca...
Feb 18, 2025•30 min
Send us a text What if ethical practice isn't a destination but a continuous journey? Join us for a compelling discussion with Dr. Michael Page, an esteemed audiologist whose career has been profoundly shaped by his work in bioethics. Dr. Page offers invaluable insights into the universal application of ethical principles in audiology, sharing how his early experiences as a pediatric audiologist led to his involvement in a hospital bioethics committee. Listen as we uncover the foundational princ...
Feb 11, 2025•41 min
Send us a text Can lifestyle choices truly prevent more than 50% of dementia cases? Join Dr. Douglas Beck and Dr. Dung Trinh as we explore this thought-provoking question and uncover groundbreaking insights. Our discussion dives into the 2024 Lancet study, highlighting 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia and the potential to prevent or delay nearly half of all cases. You'll learn about the crucial role primary care plays in managing Alzheimer's amidst a shortage of neurologists and the impor...
Jan 30, 2025•33 min
Send us a text Dr. Kristina English, a trailblazer in the field of educational audiology, joins us to share her inspiring journey from the bustling districts of Los Angeles to the halls of Central Michigan University. What challenges did she face while managing hearing aid systems for 120 children? And how did those experiences shape her innovative approach to audiology education? Dive into her story as we uncover the evolution of her career and how she developed a pioneering course in counselin...
Jan 24, 2025•34 min
Send us a text What if the simple act of inserting a foam earplug could protect your hearing for a lifetime? Join us for an engaging conversation with Elliot Berger, an acclaimed scientist and engineer whose groundbreaking work in hearing protection has transformed lives worldwide. We journey through the fascinating history of the iconic yellow foam earplugs, initially developed by Ross Gardner at Cabot Corporation, and explore Elliot's pivotal role in their global success. With billions of thes...
Jan 15, 2025•31 min
Send us a text In the latest episode of the Hearing Matters podcast, discover why asking the right questions can make all the difference in understanding your health care decisions. Dr. Maissel sheds light on the critical gaps in doctor-patient communication and the often-overlooked nuances of hearing healthcare. Explore the necessity of comprehensive audiometric evaluations and learn how evolving medical guidelines, like those for blood pressure, reflect the ever-changing landscape of healthcar...
Jan 07, 2025•34 min
Send us a text Have you ever felt stuck in the "gray zone" of hearing loss, unsure where to turn for help? Join us as we explore the inspiring journey of Suzanne Picerno, a remarkable advocate and professional in the hearing healthcare field. Suzanne candidly shares her personal battles with undiagnosed hearing loss from grade school to college and how she finally sought help after a bout of vertigo. Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-awareness and early diagnosis in mana...
Dec 17, 2024•26 min
Send us a text What if common medications like aspirin or antibiotics could be silently affecting your hearing? Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Robert DiSogra , a trailblazer in the intersection between pharmacology and audiology. Dr. DiSogra has dedicated over 25 years to understanding how more than 2,000 drugs can impact auditory and vestibular health. His insights, shaped through collaborations with figures like Dr. George Osborne and Dr. Jerry Northern, have transformed...
Dec 12, 2024•39 min
Send us a text Imagine discovering that a simple misdiagnosis dramatically shaped your early years. That's exactly what happened to Dr. Mark Campbell-Foster, our guest and Director of Audiology Sales and Marketing at Redux. Mark takes us through his journey from a childhood misinterpreted as developmental delays to the revelation of his hearing loss at Children's Hospital Boston—a turning point that fueled both personal and professional growth. He navigates the intricacies of deaf culture, explo...
Dec 04, 2024•30 min
Send us a text Discover how to transform your hearing care practice with insights from Blaise Delfino, as we promise to reveal the keys to reducing hearing aid return rates drastically. Blaise opens up about his journey to achieving a return rate of less than 1%, sharing strategies that focus on enhancing patient satisfaction and making hearing aids financially accessible. By refining patient interactions and service delivery models, Blaise and his team not only retained more patients but turned...
Nov 27, 2024•31 min
Send us a text How can audiology transform healthcare even when hearing loss isn't the primary concern? Join us as we uncover this and more with Dr. Lori Zitelli, audiology manager and adjunct instructor at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Zitelli shares her expert insights on the groundbreaking field of interventional audiology and the pivotal role it plays in identifying undiagnosed hearing issues. We discuss the limitations of basic screenings and the necessity for comprehensive audiometric ...
Nov 21, 2024•24 min
