Abigail Poyser, AuD, MBA, has over a decade of experience at Phonak, where she's held roles in Sales, Training, Product Management, and Marketing, and is now the Senior Brand Manager. Before Phonak, she worked in clinical settings, conducting audiometry and leading newborn hearing screenings in Washington D.C. Abby graduated from DePauw University with degrees in Psychology, French, and Music, and holds a Master's and Doctorate in Audiology from Indiana University, along with an MBA in Digita...

Dr. Bailey is a leading expert on consumer technology in the audiology industry. He is a staunch advocate for patient-centered hearing care and audiological best practices, and welcomes any technological innovation that improves access to quality hearing outcomes. Dr. Bailey holds an Au.D. from Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Achin Bhowmik, PhD, is the Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Engineering at Starkey Hearing in Minneapolis. Dr. Bhomik is responsible for the company’s technology strategy, global research, product development, engineering, and program management organizations. Previously, he was the VP and general manager of the Perceptual Computing Group at Intel Corp, and he also currently serves as an adjunct professor at the Stanford School of Medicine.

Adam Chell qualified as an audiologist in the UK in 2009. He is now the clinical director for Sevenoaks Hearing, an independent provider of hearing care in Kent, England. He is also the founder of Adjust Hearing which is a UK based teleaudiology service. Adam has a keen interest in Hearables and is the founder of the information website HearablesOnline.

Adriana Aleksandrova is a consultant and content writer for Hear4U. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from De Montfort University. Adriana is an employee health advocate and regularly writes for the healthcare sector. She can be reached at Adriana@hear4u.co.uk.

Dr. Ana Anzola, CCC-A, FAAA, ABA is CEO and President of Ascent Audiology & Hearing serving Northern Virginia and Maryland. She views the practice of audiology as a mix of art and science in an effort to find the best solution for each individual. Dr. Anzola received her Doctorate degree in Audiology (AuD) from the Arizona School of Health Sciences, and her Master’s Degree in Audiology and her Bachelor's Degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from Towson University.

Andrew is a new hearing aid user who currently works as Dir. of Market Development for Knowles Corp. Andy hopes that by sharing his story he can influence others to protect their hearing, and to make it easier for those with untreated hearing loss to accept their condition and seek care without waiting as long as he did. 

Angela Flores received her Master’s degree in Audiology from the University of South Alabama and completed her CFY at Mayo Clinic.  She received her AuD from Salus University in 2009.  She worked clinically with Mayo Clinic and the University of Florida Pediatric Program for over 8 years. Dr. Flores currently works as an adjunct professor for Granite State University and as a consultant.

Archelle Georgiou, MD, is the Chief Health Officer for Starkey Hearing Technologies. She is also a nationally recognized physician, author, medical executive and health reporter.

As HLAA’s chief executive officer since March 2016, Barbara is the primary spokesperson for the organization. She is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the organization. Other key duties include fundraising, advocacy, marketing/media relations, and national and international outreach.

Bari Nan Rothchild is a writer and editor whose work has appeared in Self, Good Housekeeping, Real Simple, and The New York Times.

Dr. Ben Thompson is an audiologist and tinnitus expert. Dr. Thompson is the founder of Pure Tinnitus. He completed his residency at University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) and is a past board member of the California Academy of Audiology. Via telehealth, Dr. Thompson provides services to patients with hearing loss and tinnitus.

Bill Austin is owner and chairman of Starkey, the largest American-owned hearing aid manufacturer, and founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Through the Foundation, Bill and his wife, Tani, have volunteered in more than 100 countries to give the gift of hearing and have established hearing healthcare clinics and aftercare services in 70 countries to date. Recently, Starkey launched a corporate social responsibility program called Starkey Cares which in 2022 partnered with Special Olympic...

Brad Ingrao, AuD is a Doctor of Audiology who grew up around hard-of-hearing people. He has been practicing clinical audiology since 1992. Known as an early adopter and supporter of disruptive technologies and practices, he is always on the lookout for ways to improve access to quality hearing care.

Brandy Heckroodt, AuD is an Audiology Manager for Phonak US. She earned her Doctor of Audiology degree from Nova Southeastern University and practiced privately until she joined Phonak in 2012 as a Lyric Clinical Trainer. Dr. Heckroodt is passionate about supporting HCPs and their patients live a life without limitations.

Dr. Taylor is the Senior Director of Audiology at Signia. He is also the editor of Audiology Practices, a quarterly journal of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, editor-at-large for Hearing Health and Technology Matters, and adjunct instructor at the University of Wisconsin. He has authored several peer reviewed articles and textbooks and is a highly sought out lecturer. He has nearly 30 years of experience as a clinician, business manager, and university instructor. His most recent textboo...

Caleb Hill is a Sales and Marketing Intern at Bellman & Symfon North America, Inc.

Carly Sygrove is a hearing loss coach and a hearing health writer who has single-sided deafness. She writes about living with hearing loss at My Hearing Loss Story and manages an online support group for people with hearing loss. She is also the founder of the Sudden Hearing Loss Support website, a source of information and support for people affected by sudden hearing loss.

Cary W. Tucker is a former paralegal who transfigured into a paraplanner. He obtained a Certificate in Personal Financial Planning from the University of California Irvine and went on to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ or CFP® professional. He enjoys providing treatments for financial health.

Accessibility lead at Phase2 Technology. Cochlear implant recipient. Focused on mainstream digital experiences for all. www.phase2technology.com

Dr. Chad Ruffin is an ear, nose, and throat doctor in Seattle who specializes in hearing restoration and ear surgery. He is one of the first people born with severe hearing loss to become a surgeon using cochlear implants. He performs cochlear implants and hearing restoration surgery and teaches his patients how to live to the fullest with hearing loss. In addition to treating patients in the clinic, he also researches and develops technology for hearing loss.

Chloe Brittain is the owner of Opal Transcription Services, an audio transcription company for businesses, academic and research institutions, and media professionals.

Dr. Pickup is the owner of Mt. Harrison Audiology in Rupert, Idaho. Dr. Pickup follows a medically-based approach to diagnosing and treating hearing disorders that is compassionate and personalized to each patient.

Cj Wild is the Head of Engineering and Technology at Scoop Technologies, a prominent Bay Area Startup. Originally from Leeds, England. Cj has been living in Marin, North California for the last 10 years. Cj has mild-moderate hearing loss, perhaps as a result of many years playing rugby and working with live bands.

Constantine is a hearing aid user for 20+ years and is currently Sr. Embedded Security Systems Engineer at TrustPoint Innovation Technologies, Ltd. He received his B.A.Sc in Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto and has 8+ years in software design and development in secure real-time communication for embedded systems. At TrustPoint he is the Technical Lead for V2X Security Technology, is a contributor to IEEE 1609.2 / SCMS protocols for secure vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communicat...

Danielle S. Powell is an Audiologist and Epidemiologist, currently serving as a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She has expertise in the connection between hearing loss and late-life mental health for older adults, including hearing loss and depression. Her current work focuses on the effect of hearing loss and dementia on health services utilization and caregiving. Her research goal is to bridge in...

David Copithorne is a longtime hearing-loss blogger and regular contributor at Hearing Tracker. In 2002, he suffered a sudden and severe hearing impairment. Since then, he has dedicated himself to sharing the valuable information he has learned along his journey.

Davina Omisore is Audiology Manager for the Mild to Moderate Hearing Solutions team in Phonak HQ. She has been with Phonak since January 2006, specializing in audiology and hearing aid product training. She graduated with a MSc in Audiology from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada and previously worked in the U.K.

Digby Cook is a veteran journalist with a wide range of experience in television news, documentaries and newspapers. His interest in the science of hearing is both professional and personal.

Dr Donna Pitts is an Assistant Professor of Audiology at Loyola University Maryland. She is a Past President of Maryland Academy of Audiology and served as Convention Chair for four years. 

Dr. Steve Taddei is a licensed audiologist in Rockford, Illinois. He hosts and produces the Hearing Tracker Podcast and is a professor at several institutions proctoring courses in acoustics, hearing conservation, and audio arts. Additionally, he remains an active member in the music and audio engineering community. Whether speaking to students or consumers of hearing technology, he aims to promote self-advocacy and increase hearing health awareness. In his free time, he enjoys woodworking, m...

Dr. Alyssa Ricevuto has been with Phonak since 2017, serving in various training roles as Clinical Trainer, Key Account Clinical Trainer, and Senior Clinical Trainer. She is currently transitioning into the role of Marketing Manager- Marketing Programs. Prior to joining Phonak, Alyssa spent ten years working as a clinician in both private practice and ENT settings. Alyssa received her BA from the University of Connecticut, Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences...

Dr. Anne McIntosh leads Safe’N’Clear as its President and CEO, introducing The Communicator™, the first FDA-approved transparent surgical mask, enhancing communication for the deaf and hard of hearing. With a strong academic foundation in communication sciences, her work emphasizes the importance of clear and safe interactions in healthcare. Dr. McIntosh also engages in advocacy and education, furthering discussions on accessibility and inclusion.

Dr. Carol Meyers is is responsible for the support and ongoing training of the Sivantos Educational Specialists and for creating new and innovative training methods to enhance customer service.

Keith N. Darrow, PhD is the founder of Excellence In Audiology – a community of hearing healthcare professionals committed to best practices. He is a Neuroscientist, Clinical Audiologist and Certified Dementia Practitioner. Dr. Darrow is also a best-selling author, entrepreneur, speaker and professor. He is passionate about helping older adults prevent decline, actively age and reduce the risks associated with hearing loss.

Dr. Gerhart is an audiologist with experience in pediatrics through geriatrics who has worked in a variety of settings, including private practice and ENT clinics. She previously oversaw the audiology program in the Philadelphia School District. Her passion is helping those with hearing loss get the most benefit from their technologies and guiding them on their journey to better hearing.

Edmund Farrar is a medical doctor and the co-founder of Oto Health, a UK based startup that is improving access to therapy for people with tinnitus or hearing loss using a simple mobile app, Oto. Built in collaboration with ENT surgeons and hearing therapists, Oto combines AI-powered hearing health tracking with tinnitus therapy and personalised hearing training.

Elise is a passionate audiologist, lecturer, and content marketer. She holds her CCC’s in audiology through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the New Zealand Audiological Society (NZAS). She is innately interested in identifying barriers to hearing healthcare in the global market and finding creative ways to connect with clients and healthcare providers to promote healthy hearing. She holds a Doctor of Audiology degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in...

Dr. Eric Sandler, Director of Audiological services at The Hearing Center in New Jersey, graduated from Montclair State University in 2007 with a Doctorate of Science in Audiology.

Erica writes the Aging with Geekitude column for SeniorPlanet.org. Books: Interview with a Jewish Vampire; He’s History You’re Not

Erin Schoen Marsh is a hard of hearing writer and yoga teacher from the Midwest. She specializes in writing about parenting, education and deafness. 

Dr. Evan Grolley is an audiologist and founding member of Link Audiology. Dr. Grolley was raised in Niskayuna, NY. 

Gael Hannan is a writer, speaker and advocate on hearing loss issues. In addition to her weekly blog for HHTM, she is a regular contributor to FindHearing.com, an online resource for consumers with hearing loss. Gael is also the author of the acclaimed book “The Way I Hear It: A Life with Hearing Loss.” She is regularly invited to present her uniquely humorous and insightful work to appreciative audiences around the world. Gael has received many awards for her work, which includes advocacy fo...

Dr Crovato is an audiologist at the Hearing Associates of Northern Virginia, where the mission is to provide a personalized, hands-on approach to hearing health care, with the knowledge that each person who walks through our door has their own individual communication needs.

Dr. Hadassah Kupfer is a doctor of audiology based in Brooklyn, NY. She obtained her Doctorate from the CUNY Graduate Center.

James W. Martin, Jr., AuD, is the Director of Audiological Communication at Widex USA. James is a Keynote speaker, educator and is passionate about encouraging clinicians as well as patients to become the best version of themselves. 

Jan de Laat, PhD, is a Physicist-Audiologist at Leiden University Medical Center in Leiden, Netherlands, examining the psychological and psychosocial aspects of hearing impairment.

Jan-Willem Wasmann, MSc, is a Medical Physicist Audiologist at Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc) in Nijmegen, Netherlands, specializing in identifying, diagnosing, treating and monitoring disorders of the auditory and vestibular system portions of the ear.

Jeffrey Rothchild is a marketing agency owner with hearing loss. He spends his free time making music with and for his family.

Jo-El M. Grossman is the Communications & Content Manager for Phonak U.S. She is an avid storyteller, as well as an accomplished, creative and qualified marketing and editorial leader with a multi-media background.

Dr. Baxter primarily practices clinically while supervising students and also teaches as part of the Doctor of Audiology curriculum. Current courses taught include Hearing Aids I and II and Adult Hearing Disorders. 

John Loeppky is a freelance disabled journalist and theatre artist. His work has appeared with FiveThirtyEight, CBC, Poynter, Publisher's Weekly, and many others. 

Jonathan Mosen is a New Zealand-based advocate, author, podcaster, and assistive technology consultant. He has held senior roles in blindness assistive technology companies. Totally blind since birth, Jonathan has progressive hearing loss and constantly searches for the best hearing technology to allow him to be productive.

Julia Métraux is a health and culture writer with hearing loss and a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists. Check out her portfolio.

Juliëtte Sterkens, AuD, is an audiologist who worked in private practice for many years in Oshkosh, Wis, before taking the position of Hearing Loop Advocate for the consumer-advocacy group Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). In this position, she has traveled across the country to meet with HLAA Chapters and audiologists about the importance of telecoils and how to get a hearing loop project started in their community. Among many honors, she has been awarded the Wisconsin Audiologist ...

Justin Elder is the Digital Marketing Manager for Phonak U.S. He has a passion for strategic marketing and advertising as well as ensuring communication platforms are tailored to their audiences.

Karl Strom is the Editor in Chief of HearingTracker. He has been covering the hearing aid industry for over 30 years. 

Over the last two decades, KR Liu has helped launch products from some of the most disruptive lifestyle tech brands on the market, including Speck Products, SOL REPUBLIC, Pebble Smartwatch, Doppler Labs, and Google. She now focuses on her board positions and, until recently, led inclusive marketing and design as the Principal Accessibility Marketing Lead at Amazon Lab126. KR is currently the Head of Accessibility Brand at Google.  KR is a nationally known advocate for inclusive design, wit...

Kristen Fischer is a copywriter and journalist from New Jersey. She is the author of "Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids." Learn more about Kristen. 

Krystal Kavita Jagoo is a social worker, artist, and educator who prioritizes equity in all her work. Her writing has been published in Huffington Post, Prism, Healthline, Verywell Mind, MedTruth, and Giddy, among others. 

Linda Kozma-Spytek, MA, CCC-A, is a technology consultant to the Hearing Loss Association of America and a lead investigator in the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Technology Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (DHH Tech RERC) at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. She co-leads the Industry Consumer Alliance for Accessible Technology (ICAAT) project under the auspices of the DHH Tech RERC. Prior to her consulting work, she was a Senior Research Audiologist in the Technology Access Program at ...

Mara Brooks is a longtime journalist and native New Yorker now living in Barre, Vermont. She is the communications coordinator for the Community of Vermont Elders and editor for community newspapers The Charlotte News and The Hardwick Gazette. In her spare time, Mara studies law and classical music. 

Marisa (Mari) Martinez is an undergraduate student studying communication disorders at Texas State University. She has a passion for Audiology and helping others discover confidence in their hearing loss through her own journey living with Meniere’s Disease.