Hearing Matters Podcast: Hearing Aids, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

When a patient suspects they have a hearing loss, they often enter the grieving process. But, what does this mean exactly? Do patients navigate through the grieving process and THEN purchase hearing aids? Do patients still grieve even after they're fit with hearing aids? You see, grief is not linear. This means that patients do not enter the denial stage, then anger stage, then bargaining stage, etc. In this episode, Blaise reviews the five stages of grief and connects Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Stages of Development to the hearing aid fitting and counseling process. The five stages of grief, thanks to the wonderful work of Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross include: Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance Why is the mind-brain connection so important when you're fitting patients with hearing aids? As humans, we don't necessarily respond well to change. When a patient suspects they present with hearing loss, enters the grieving process, and is then fit with hearing aids...well...this is a lot of change at once! As hearing care providers, we need to continue to place heavy emphasis on the hearing aid counseling process and understand what the mindset of the patient is. If you suspect that a patient needs additional assistance and you need to refer to a clinical psychologist or therapist, be sure to have that conversation with your patient. If you are interested in listening to Dr. Andrew Huberman's podcast episode on grief, you can do so by clicking here. If you are a current or future hearing aid user, give yourself grace. If you need assistance finding a hearing healthcare provider in your area, please send us an email and we will connect with you a trusted hearing healthcare provider.  Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

About Dr. Mindy Staller I first met Mindy at my family's private practice in 2012-2013. The first conversation I ever had with Mindy was about career planning, the importance of your "why," and the different settings that make up the hearing healthcare industry (manufacturing, private practice, education, etc.). Years later, Mindy and I still stay in touch. The first conversation I had with her made a lasting impression and positively influenced my own career in hearing healthcare. Mindy is a hearing aid user and has worn many hats in the hearing healthcare industry. However, she has a passion for training apprentice hearing aid fitters. She reports how much she loves to see the progress they make in 6-12 months time. Proper training, especially in the hearing healthcare industry, impacts patient outcomes! Mindy cannot stress enough the importance of best practices.  Increased Awareness of Hearing HealthcareDuring our conversation, Mindy mentions how excited she is for the current state of the industry, but also for the future of the hearing healthcare industry. Being a hearing aid user herself, she has experienced the evolution of hearing technology (Analog to Digital Technology). We dive into how there is so much more awareness of hearing healthcare than ever before. However, we have a lot more work to do. While we are scratching the surface and our patients are more open to talking about their hearing loss, we have an opportunity to continue to decrease the stigma associated with hearing loss.  Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

STOP Selling, Start HELPING: Why Motivational Interviewing is Essential  The one word that describes Dr. Brad Stewart is simple - passionate. Brad believes that better hearing is served through motivational interviewing techniques to ensure trust is built between the provider and the patient. Think back to the last time you went to the doctor and didn't "jive" with the provider. Did they lack empathy? Were they just having an "off" day? Were they rushing through the appointment? Chances are, you got home and said to yourself, "Well, I think I am going to get a second opinion." In hearing healthcare, we really only have one shot to make sure that the new patients that come to our office for the first time have the BEST experience possible. Why? Because said patient waited 7-10 years to see you, the hearing healthcare provider. If they have a lackluster experience, they may just hang up their hearing cleats and say, "I'll try again in another 7 years." This is not what we want! What is Motivational Interviewing? The most current version of MI is described in detail in Miller and Rollnick (2013) Motivational Interviewing: Helping people to change (3rd edition). Key qualities include:MI is a guiding style of communication, that sits between following (good listening) and directing (giving information and advice).MI is designed to empower people to change by drawing out their own meaning, importance and capacity for change.MI is based on a respectful and curious way of being with people that facilitates the natural process of change and honors client autonomy.The In-Office Hearing Aid DemoDuring this episode, Blaise and Brad discuss the importance of demoing hearing technology during the patient's office visit. The in-office hearing aid demo is an essential element of a patient's first visit. One of the reasons office's should implement the in-office demo is because patient's have been waiting YEARS to hear with increased clarity, you want your new patient to leave your office excited about their new hearing world! (Disclaimer: of course, the in-office demo depends on the patients type and degree of hearing loss.) Brad has strong opinions about the in-office demo and states, "We have the ability during a 90 minute consultation to change that and to let them experience what hearing is like again. And for a lot of these people, it's been half a decade, a decade, 20 years since they've heard normally. And so that's like such an experience, such a light bulb moment. It's a peak experience. It's something they will remember throughout their life this time when they heard well again. And that we would just like for the sake of efficiency or time just wouldn't do that, and wouldn't allow them to experience such a transformative moment, seems crazy to me. And I have a really hard time rationalizing why you wouldn't do that." A SPECIAL thank you to our partners: SycleWeaveReduxFader Plugs  Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

Dr. Jackie Phillips joins us to talk about the leading cause of conductive hearing loss - impacted earwax! Dr. Phillip has over 20 years of clinical and leadership experience in the field of audiology.  In 2021,  she joined SafKan Health as their Vice President of Sales. From a young age, OtoSet's co-founder and chief technology officer has regularly had to visit his physician for ear syringing to fight excessive earwax buildup. After becoming a biomedical engineer, he invented OtoSet® to solve his own problem. As OtoSet's team of otolaryngologists and engineers began researching and developing OtoSet®, they learned the true scale of this problem and how frustrating today’s earwax removal procedure is for both patients and healthcare professionals. More than 35 million Americans are affected by impacted earwax, which is the leading cause of conductive hearing loss. Other symptoms can include pain, vertigo, tinnitus, itching, and coughing. Additionally, approximately 60-70% of all damaged hearing aids sent in for repair are simply clogged with earwax or degraded by organic materials. The earwax removal procedure is very common but has seen little innovation over the last 200 years. This has left healthcare professionals with time-consuming, messy, and antiquated options to provide relief to their patients — until now. OtoSet® is the first automated and FDA-cleared ear cleaning device for clinical use, which is available to healthcare professionals now.  Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

Nicole Behne is an expert in creating workplace solutions for people in business who are hard of hearing.As a marketing executive with a significant hearing loss, she has learned how to adapt to challenging situations in many corporate environments utilizing technology, spatial awareness and educating her peer group on best practices for engaging with her.  Nicole is passionate about generating awareness and providing practical solutions to the ever-growing class of business professionals with hearing loss.It’s not easy to navigate the business world with a hearing loss. It can be exhausting and cause reduced productivity due to depression, social isolation, and listening fatigue. For coworkers it can create confusion, and reduce collaboration.Awareness, education, and customized solutions are the keys to improving retention and employee engagement with people who are hard of hearing.Hearing Inclusion creates workplace solutions for people in business who are hard of hearing. Connect with Nicole: Website | TikTok | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

I can't believe it...The Hearing Matters Podcast has been raising awareness of hearing healthcare for almost 4 years. As we celebrate the release of our 100th episode, our team would like to extend our gratitude and thank you for your support! You carve out time in your busy schedule to hangout with us to talk about hearing aids, ear wax, and best practices...that's so cool!In celebration of our 100th episode, we wanted to reflect on the last four years in the podcasting space. I am a firm believer that podcasting is positively influencing the hearing healthcare industry. Patients can learn about best practices and what to expect at their hearing aid fitting appointment in the comfort of their home. You see, hearing healthcare and hearing aids don't have to be confusing! In fact, that's one of the many reasons we started the Hearing Matters Podcast ~ to assist patients in making an educated decision regarding their hearing healthcare. It's safe to say we're doing just that.With 100 episodes released, we've helped people in 90 different countries and 2,235 different cities. What started out as a resource to help patients at the local level turned into a global resource. However, we couldn't have helped this many people without the help of our guests! They are all incredible and we appreciate them dedicating their time. Alone we can't do much. Together we can change the world. I am looking forward to releasing another 100 episodes. Until next time, Hear Life's Story! Cheers, Blaise M. Delfino, M.S. HIS Founder and Host Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

The Hearing Healthcare Model: A Team-Based ApproachThis year's World Hearing Day theme was "Ear and Hearing Care for All. Let's Make It A Reality." World Hearing Day 2023 highlighted the importance of integrating ear and hearing care within primary care.Our World Hearing Day Guests: - Dr. Abram Bailey and Dr. Steve Taddei | HearingTracker- Dr. Douglas L. Beck Au.D.| Cognivue, Inc.- Dr. Mark Campbell-Foster | Redux- Gael Hannan and Shari Eberts | Hear & Beyond- Dr. Dave Fabry | Starkey HearingDr. Amit Gosalia, AuD, FNAP | AudBoss In this episode, we discuss: 1. How primary care physicians play an integral role in the hearing healthcare industry.2. The importance of getting your hearing checked.3. The comorbidities linked to untreated hearing loss.4. What companies and providers are doing to create greater access and affordability to hearing healthcare.With this theme, the communication objectives were to:Draw attention of decision makers in governments and civil society groups towards the WHO’s recommendations regarding integration of ear and hearing care into PHC.Encourage governments to integrate primary ear and hearing care into training programmes for health care providers at primary level.Call attention of primary level health care providers (health workers and physicians) towards the needs of people with hearing loss and ear disease.Inform people about the importance of ear and hearing care and encourage them to seek services. Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

Nicole is an expert in creating workplace solutions for people in business who are hard of hearing.  As a marketing executive with a significant hearing loss, she has learned how to adapt to challenging situations in many corporate environments utilizing technology, spatial awareness and educating her peer group on best practices for engaging with her.  Nicole is passionate about generating awareness and providing practical solutions to the ever-growing class of business professionals with hearing loss. Nicole Behne creates workplace solutions for people who are hard of hearing (HOH). Her work transforms an invisible challenge negatively impacting 12% of America’s workforce into environments where employees are more engaged, included, and productive.  It is not easy to navigate the business world with hearing loss. Studies prove hearing loss can often cause reduced productivity due to depression, social isolation, and listening fatigue in the workplace. As a Fortune 300 marketing executive with a significant hearing loss, Nicole has learned how to adapt to challenging situations in many workplace environments. From board rooms to manufacturing floors, Nicole has learned how to utilize technology, spatial awareness and education to help her peer group achieve best practices when engaging employees who are HOH. Nicole is passionate about advocating for and providing practical solutions to the ever-growing class of business professionals with a hearing loss disability. Each space and situation present unique opportunities to find efficient and effective ways to navigate the hurdles that affect individuals with hearing loss. She understands the value of a company’s diverse workforce and leads the charge to make sure everyone is “heard.” She has launched Hearing Inclusion to help DEI leaders and HR teams conduct environmental assessments, develop customized plans of action, and produce individualized coaching programs.Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

Prior to founding AuraFuturity, Andrew had previous experience in international sales, marketing, product management, and general management. Audio has been both of abiding interest and a market he served professionally in these roles. Andrew has been deeply embedded in the hearables space since the beginning and is recognized as a thought leader in the convergence of hearables and hearing health. He has been a strong advocate for hearing care innovation and accessibility, work made more personal when he faced his own hearing loss and sought treatment All these skills and experiences are brought to bear at AuraFuturity, providing go-to-market, branding, and content services to the dynamic and growing hearables, hearing health, and broader communication spaces. Andrew joins us on the Hearing Matters Podcast to celebrate World Hearing Day. This year's theme is "Ear and Hearing Care for All. Let's Make It a Reality." With this theme, the communication objectives are to:Draw attention of decision makers in governments and civil society groups towards the WHO’s recommendations regarding integration of ear and hearing care into PHC.Encourage governments to integrate primary ear and hearing care into training programmes for health care providers at primary level.Call attention of primary level health care providers (health workers and physicians) towards the needs of people with hearing loss and ear disease.Inform people about the importance of ear and hearing care and encourage them to seek services.On this day, WHO will launch a new training manual - Primary ear and hearing care training manual. The manual will be accompanied with trainer’s handbook and other community resources.Ear and hearing problems are among the most common problems encountered in the community.Over 60% of these can be identified and addressed at the primary level of care.Integration of ear and hearing care into primary care services is possible through training and capacity building at this level.Such integration will benefit people and help countries move towards the goal of universal health coverage. Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

Mark Campbell-Foster is the Director of Audiology Sales and Marketing. He joins Redux with more than 13 years of experience as an audiologist who has worked in both the clinical setting and in the hearing healthcare industry.  Mark has a lifelong history of hearing loss and uses bilateral cochlear implants. As a child, he grew-up with hearing loss and worked with many wonderful audiologists and hearing healthcare professionals that influenced his life for the better. This fueled Mark’s desire to be an audiologist so that he could continue to be a voice and advocate for those with hearing loss. Mark joins Redux with the excitement of being able to bring better hearing care to thousands of patients every day, around the world.  Mark holds a doctoral degree in Audiology from Northeastern University and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a concentration in American Sign Language/Deaf Studies from the College of the Holy Cross. What is Redux? Redux is an ultra-efficient evaporation system that leaves hearing instruments sounding their best through complete and verified moisture removal.Redux Launches NEW @Home DryerRedux @Home will achieve complete moisture removal like the Pro models, only in ~2 hours' time @Home where the patient can be most proactive in maintaining their hearing instruments' performance and reliability. Redux has done it again, developed and patented a completely new way of drying to achieve verified complete moisture removal, now @Home for the first time ever.Redux Launches NEW ProLite for Hearing Care ProfessionalsThe new Redux Pro Lite is the same professional dryer as the Pro with a new place to view data via free Redux app. The Pro Lite Bundle will include a preorder of four Redux @Home dryers to ship in June for the same price as the Redux Pro. The @Home dryer will resell for $399.99.How does Redux remove all moisture?First, Redux pulls a vacuum on the device to reduce the evaporation point of water.Liquid turns to gas and is pulled out of the device.A valve is opened to introduce fresh dry air into the chamber that pushes the vapors outside the system across a humidity sensor.The process repeats until the humidity sensor confirms all moisture is removed.The process stops and the amount of moisture removed is displayed on the screen. Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast