Dr. Hosford-Dunn began blogging in her audiology private practice in Tucson, AZ. Back in 2009, blogging was a new and interesting way to quickly share and improve information with colleagues, consumers, and patients. As blogging gained attention, she had the opportunity to serve as chief editor of a multi-author blog for an hearing industry publication. The format was fun and successful. It rapidly evolved into Hearing Health & Technology Matters! (HHTM), an independent blogsite that she founded in partnership with other colleagues in 2011. Since its inception, Dr. Hosford-Dunn has served as HHTM’s first Editor-in-Chief, then Managing Editor, and now is CFO of the organization. After graduating with a BA and MA in Communication Disorders from New Mexico State, she completed a PhD in Hearing Sciences at Stanford and did post-docs at Max Planck Institute (Germany) and Eaton-Peabody Auditory Physiology Lab (Boston). Post-education, she directed the Stanford University Audiology Clinic; developed multi-office private practices in Arizona; authored/edited numerous text books, chapters, journals, and articles; and taught Marketing, Practice Management, Hearing Science, Auditory Electrophysiology, and Amplification in a variety of academic settings. Dr. Hosford-Dunn participates in life long learning by writing weekly posts and by embracing sequential learning endeavors. She spent a year training with the Gemological Institute of America, gaining certification as a Graduate Gemologist (GIA). She graduated with a B.A. in Economics and Psychology from the University of Arizona in 2013. Currently — and probably forever — she studies the Spanish language.
Featured image for “How Much and How Low, Audiology Workforce part 2”
Jan. 10, 2017

How Much and How Low, Audiology Workforce part 2

Holly Hosford-Dunn
Last week’s post described a world of audiology in which median wage has increased by $2100/year on average for the last 15 years, yet the audiology workforce has remained flat.  This scenario, shown in the feature image above, is alarming.  Moreover, it is unusual.  Other healthcare professions don’t roll like this.  Today’s post looks at labor forces of audiology and
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Jan. 03, 2017

2017 New Year’s Resolution:  Demand an Audiologist

Holly Hosford-Dunn
At the turn of the century, the American Academy of Audiology launched its “Ask an Audiologist” branding campaign. The marketing goals were to familiarize the US public with the profession of audiology and make it a household term, figuratively ensconced in the medicine cabinet next to the box of Band-Aids®.  Just as consumers reach for Band-Aids® to fix “owies”, they
Featured image for “Why “Good Audiology” is More Important than Ever”
Dec. 27, 2016

Why “Good Audiology” is More Important than Ever

Holly Hosford-Dunn
by Brian Taylor “Signal & Noise” is a bimonthly column by Brian Taylor, AuD. Recent FDA regulatory chatter concerning hearing aids,  combined with the rising availability of automated technology is making audiologists nervous – – and rightly so. It certainly seems plausible we are embarking on an era when the skills and expertise of the professional are no longer needed
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Dec. 20, 2016

Best of Hearing Economics 2016, a Year of Surprises

Holly Hosford-Dunn
Wouldn’t you know it? Harvey Abram’s Waiting for the Second Shoe (of Three) to Drop from last summer was one of the most-read posts in Hearing Economics in 2016.  Click on the link to read it, now that the FDA has dropped that 3rd shoe.  As a refresher, Dr Abram’s “2nd Shoe” post laid out the territory back then as follows:  
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Dec. 13, 2016

On-Site Reporting from NAS Public Meeting Last Week

Holly Hosford-Dunn
by Barbara Weinstein Downstream Consequences of Aging is a bi-monthly series written by guest columnist Barbara Weinstein, PhD.  Today’s post gives readers a sense of the simultaneous breathless drama and grinding diligence experienced by all participating stakeholders at last week’s pivotal NAS meeting.   The Plenary: Sounds of Silence   At the Dec. 7, 2016 Dissemination Meeting: Hearing Health Care for
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Dec. 07, 2016

US Hearing Device Patents for November 2016

Holly Hosford-Dunn
Sybaritic Pleasures: A Quick Econ 101 Primer   On the Demand side, marketeers talk about creating and growing markets by identifying needs (e.g., hunger) and turning them into wants by creating products that offer more and more satisfaction (e.g., hamburgers, then caviar). Economists talk about growing demand by foreseeing consumer preferences across all possible goods which deliver the greatest satisfaction within
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Nov. 29, 2016

Magic Mirror On the Wall…

Holly Hosford-Dunn
Amyn Amlani, PhD, has co-written the 2016 Pricing Update series in Hearing Economics.  Today’s post concludes the series for this year.  In the 1937 Disney classic movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the Evil Queen stands in front of a mirror and pronounces, “Magic mirror, on the wall – who is the fairest one of all?” As we conclude
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Nov. 22, 2016

Another Step Toward Quality AuD Education

Holly Hosford-Dunn
“Peeling the Onion” is a monthly column by Harvey Abrams, PhD In a recent post, I referred to the initiative by the American Board of Audiology (ABA) to create an  advanced practice certificate for audiology preceptors.  This is an important step toward improving the quality of the 4th year experience for AuD students. Now along comes another important development that could
Featured image for “US Hearing Device Patents in October 2016”
Nov. 15, 2016

US Hearing Device Patents in October 2016

Holly Hosford-Dunn
“Hearing Health Matters have been charting granted patents in this area since 2012, updating their list every few months. It should be mandatory reading for any company entering this arena.” (Nick Hunn, The Market for Hearable Devices, 2016-2020) Hearing Economics is happy that an industry consultant of the likes of Mr. Hunn benefits from our ever-lengthening patent lists and grateful
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Nov. 08, 2016

The Well Being of Older Adults: The Role of Audiology

Holly Hosford-Dunn
Downstream Consequences of Aging is a bi-monthly series written by guest columnist Barbara Weinstein, PhD. Today’s post is especially timely, coinciding with yesterday’s announcement of a bipartisan bill being introduced by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) entitled the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2016 which aims to reduce cost and increase access of hearing technology for