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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 reaching thousands of hearing care professionals and patients alike. With early episodes designed to prepare patients for appointments and guide them through the hearing healthcare journey, the podcast created a seamless educational experience that transformed how patients engaged with their hearing health.

"The podcast absolutely positioned us as thought leaders in our community," Delfino reflects. "When prospective patients tuned in, it was a representation of the practice." This approach to patient education and experience proved extraordinarily effective, with fewer than ten hearing aid returns over five years—a testament to how education, transparency, and patient-centered care create lasting success in healthcare.

Throughout the podcast's evolution, Delfino has observed significant shifts in hearing healthcare: the emergence of deep neural networks and AI in hearing devices, the growing importance of telehealth options, and increasing patient demand for transparency and best practices. "Today, now more than ever, the hearing care professional plays such an important role in the patient experience," he emphasizes, highlighting how the relationship between provider and patient remains central despite technological advances.

Looking toward the future, the Hearing Matters Podcast is launching a provider locator tool to connect listeners with qualified hearing care professionals in their communities, expanding into speech-language pathology topics, and continuing to bridge the gap between education and action. For hearing care professionals and patients alike, the message remains consistent: "Continue to lead with your heart. Continue to keep your why as your North Star. Every day that you go into that office, reflect and think to yourself: I have the opportunity to change someone's life."

Share these episodes with someone who might be struggling with hearing loss – your recommendation could be the first step in their journey toward better communication and connection.

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Email: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com

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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 loss, simply reviewing an audiogram and quoting prices falls woefully short of what they deserve. By contrast, a thoughtfully orchestrated demonstration allows patients to hear with unprecedented clarity in challenging environments like restaurants, creating powerful "wow moments" that validate their decision to seek help.

The most effective demonstrations go beyond the technical aspects of hearing technology. They involve familiar voices, realistic background noise, and careful observation of how patients react when communication barriers suddenly diminish. We explore how these demonstrations serve multiple purposes simultaneously, educating patients about their hearing loss, showcasing technology benefits, assessing physical capabilities for device selection, and building unshakable trust in the provider's recommendations.

For hearing healthcare professionals, this episode offers practical guidance on creating meaningful demonstration experiences that lead to better patient outcomes and satisfaction. For those beginning their hearing journey, it provides valuable insight into what to expect and demand from quality providers. No matter where you are in understanding hearing health, you'll gain perspective on how transformative moments in a clinical setting can change lives.

Ready to experience or deliver hearing healthcare that prioritizes education and empowerment over transactions? Listen now and discover why seeing is believing when it comes to better hearing.

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Email: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com

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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 author illuminates how powerful representation can be in the hearing healthcare space. Her book "I'm Getting a Cochlear Implant" breaks down complex audiological concepts into accessible language, serving both children who want to see themselves represented and parents navigating unfamiliar medical terminology.

The conversation takes a particularly moving turn when Lindsay shares how a foster mother approached her to say the book had helped her decide to pursue cochlear implants for her child. "You are the person that I wrote this book for," Lindsay reflects, her voice revealing how meaningful this feedback was to her creative mission.

Beyond the book itself, Lindsay offers valuable insights about advocacy in education, revealing how IEPs now frequently include self-advocacy goals for deaf and hard of hearing students. These skills, teaching children to explain their needs and educate others about their hearing technology, are life-changing foundations that extend far beyond the classroom.

Perhaps most compelling is Lindsay's personal transformation. When voice problems threatened her teaching career, she faced an identity crisis that ultimately led her to pursue writing. "It has helped me remove the ceiling of what I think I can or can't do," she shares, a powerful message for anyone hesitating to follow their creative calling.

Whether you're a hearing healthcare professional seeking resources for families, an educator working with deaf or hard of hearing students, or someone personally affected by hearing loss, this conversation reminds us that advocacy begins with accessible information and that representation truly matters. Check out Lindsay's book and share it with someone who might need to see themselves or their child in its pages.

Here is the Titze straw phonation video.

Below, please find the ISBN numbers for "I'm Getting a Cochlear Implant"

ISBN for libraries: 979-8-9885896-1-7 (Hard Cover)

Paperback: 979-8-9885896-0-0

eBook:979-8-9885896-2-4

Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast Team

Email: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com

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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 tinnitus specialist, she expertly distinguishes between subjective tinnitus (the perception of sound that doesn't exist externally) and transient ear noise (those brief, harmless episodes of ringing many people occasionally experience). This distinction alone provides immediate relief for many who fear their temporary experiences signal something serious.

The heart of effective tinnitus care, Dr. Tarvin explains, lies in truly listening to patients and implementing personalized strategies. Far from the dismissive "just live with it" approach many patients have encountered, modern management embraces a holistic perspective that considers each person's unique needs. From various sound therapy options to innovative treatments like Lenire (the first FDA-approved tinnitus treatment), patients now have more evidence-based options than ever before.

Perhaps most exciting is Twillo, a tinnitus management app Dr. Tarvin developed with her husband, a mental health counselor. This digital companion combines audiological expertise with mental health techniques, providing support between appointments and making tinnitus care more accessible. "If I could clone myself, if I could clone my husband... we would not need this app," Dr. Tarvin jokes, highlighting how technology can extend specialized care to more people.

Throughout our conversation, Dr. Tarvin methodically dismantles harmful myths – no, tinnitus doesn't cause dementia; no, caffeine isn't universally problematic for tinnitus sufferers – while sharing touching success stories of patients who've found relief through proper care. Whether you're suffering from tinnitus yourself, care for someone who is, or are a healthcare provider seeking to better serve your patients, this episode delivers invaluable insights and renewed hope.

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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 includes comprehension and psychosocial factors

• 26 million Americans have normal hearing thresholds but experience significant listening difficulties

• Current audiometric categories (0-25dB as normal) may miss significant hearing difficulties that impact daily function

• Over-the-counter hearing aids address access and affordability but often lack the necessary support infrastructure

• The prevalence of hearing loss in children (15%) has remained stable despite concerns about earbuds and screen time

• Empowering individuals to manage their own auditory wellness requires better education and support tools

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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 introduced binaural fitting techniques to practitioners accustomed to monaural solutions. The conversation takes entertaining detours, including Dr. Dorff's memorable dinner seated next to Mick Jagger and their experience with "The Bubble," a non-electronic device that briefly revolutionized mild hearing loss treatment.

What emerges beyond the professional milestones is their genuine passion for audiology. As Dr. Dorff reflects after nearly 50 years: "I never felt it was work. I enjoyed every bit of audiology I touched." Both emphasize how the profession continues offering rich opportunities for those seeking to combine technological innovation with meaningful human connection. Their journey illuminates how far audiology has come and why it remains an exceptionally rewarding career for those committed to improving lives through better hearing.

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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 reason for hearing aid returns while expanding access to hearing technology. But addressing affordability is just the beginning...the consultation process itself determines much of your success. Through motivational interviewing techniques that replace closed-ended clinical questions with deeper explorations of patient goals, you create the foundation for successful fittings.

The patient experience extends far beyond the initial fitting. We explore how comprehensive onboarding systems—complete with educational materials, structured follow-up schedules, and even customized resources like podcast episodes that address common questions—transform the hearing care journey from a transaction into a relationship. When patients feel part of a supportive program rather than simply purchasing a product, they become invested in their success and less likely to return their technology.

Audiological best practices aren't just clinically responsible; they directly impact satisfaction rates by ensuring optimal performance. By setting realistic expectations about adaptation periods and guiding patients through what to expect, you establish appropriate benchmarks for success. Perhaps most importantly, recommending appropriate technology based on comprehensive assessment—not assumptions about what patients will spend—ensures they receive maximum benefit from their investment.

Ready to transform your practice's approach to patient care and reduce your return rate? These strategies will not only improve your performance metrics but fulfill our deeper mission: ensuring more people with hearing loss receive the treatment they need to live fuller, more connected lives.

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Email: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com

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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 far beyond technological solutions. She introduces us to the concept of "purpose-driven communication"—the deliberate structuring of interactions that allows for meaningful exchange despite hearing challenges. From morning routines with her husband to navigating arguments and emotional moments, Gael reveals the extra layer of consciousness required when hearing loss affects relationships.

What makes this discussion particularly valuable is its practical wisdom. Gael offers strategies for maintaining presence, creating structured opportunities for communication, and shifting focus from "hearing" to "communicating." She emphasizes that hearing aids work better when complemented by behavioral changes and attitude shifts, encouraging both those with hearing loss and their communication partners to develop deeper understanding.

Whether you're a hearing care professional seeking to better serve your patients, someone navigating relationships with hearing loss, or a communication partner trying to bridge the gap, this conversation offers profound guidance for moving beyond technological fixes to human solutions. Because at the end of the day, as Gael reminds us, "It's not just about hearing—it's about being heard."

Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast Team

Email: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast

Twitter: @hearing_mattas

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