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Dave talks to Barbara Kelley, Executive Director of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), about the organization’s mission of opening the world of communication to people with hearing loss, how they’re raising awareness of hearing aids, hearing aid adoption rates, and emerging technologies that are making the future of better hearing bright.

In this special episode of Starkey Sound Bites, Brandon Sawalich, Starkey President and CEO, joins Dave to give his reaction to the FDA’s long-awaited over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid regulation, and explain why the hearing care professional will always be integral to better hearing.

Dr. Grace Sturdivant, of OtoPro Technologies, joins Dave during National Protect Your Hearing Month to share how she got into the hearing conservation business, why more hearing care professionals should embrace and sell hearing protection products in their practices, and how focusing on the needs of patients always leads to good things.

Peter Korn, Director of Accessibility for Amazon’s Devices organization, and Achin Bhowmik, Starkey’s Chief Technology Officer and EVP of Engineering, talk to Dave about the rapid pace of innovation specifically designed to help people with hearing loss. This includes their collaboration on Amazon’s Fire TV Cube, which enables it to stream exclusively to compatible Starkey hearing aids for private listening from favorite streaming services, apps, games, and even Alexa.

Every case of hearing loss is unique, and so is every ear. Ray Woodworth understands this so well, he teaches a class called “The Ear is the Boss”. For more than 20 years, Woodworth has worked alongside Starkey founder Bill Austin, mastering the craft of custom hearing aid solutions. In this episode, he explains why understanding the structure of someone’s ear is the key to treating their hearing loss, and why OTC hearing aids aren’t the right fit for everyone. He also shares some tricks of the trade when you’re shooting an ear mold impression and how to help your patients through the process. This episode is packed with news hearing care providers can use. Don’t miss it!

Disability rights advocate, public speaker and Vietnam veteran, Richard Pimentel, takes Dave through his hearing loss story, why he refused to change his dreams to fit his situation, how he became a key player during the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the difference between backpacks and baggage.

Jake Spano, Starkey’s Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, and Michael Scholl, EVP of Corporate Relations, kick off the holiday season by talking to Dave about Starkey Cares, its Neighbors in Need program, how hearing professionals can participate, and why something as small as the sound of jingling coins can make such a huge impact on a person’s life.

Tracy Markley — acclaimed author, hearing aid wearer and fitness trainer who focuses on stroke survivors — joins Dave to discuss the many connections between stroke treatment and hearing loss treatment, the importance of shortening the time between diagnosis and treatment, smart uses for our Table Mic accessory, and the inspiration for her new book, “I’m Not Stupid, I Have Hearing Loss.”

Professional athlete and longtime hearing aid wearer, Tyson Gillies, tells Dave what it’s like being an elite athlete with hearing loss, how he had to work extra hard to overcome other’s perception of his loss, the toll it takes on your mental health, and how, with help from his hearing professional and modern hearing technology, he’s been able to maintain his competitive edge.

Given their age, many hearing aid wearers are at risk for acquiring dementia. Additionally, hearing loss is believed to be a leading modifiable risk factor associated with dementia. For these reasons, it is essential for clinicians to stay abreast of the latest studies in these areas. The purpose of this podcast is to review recent studies addressing the topics of hearing loss, hearing aid use and dementia and how the findings of these recent studies can inform patient care.