JOHNSON AUDIOLOGY BLOG

Research reveals that hearing loss actually rewires your neural pathways Your Amazing Brain Your brain is an amazing organ! This wrinkly, reddish-pink mass weighs about the same as your two-slice toaster, tipping the scales at about three pounds. Acting as a master control center, your brain enables every thought, breath, eye blink, heartbeat, movement—everything—that happens in your body. Rivaling the world’s most powerful supercomputer, your brain can download, process, and react in milliseconds to the tidal wave of information coming from your eyes, skin, nose, tongue, and ears. Neuroplasticity and Your Sense of Hearing Researchers have discovered that the human nervous system—made up of the brain, spinal cord, and a complex network of nerves—has incredible capacity to modify itself, both in function and physical structure. This is called neural plasticity . Dr. Megan Johnson, audiologist and owner of Johnson Audiology explains, “Neural plasticity is going gangbusters in a child’s brain as the child develops and matures into adulthood. Based on years of brain research, we also know that the adult brain is far from being fixed. It, too, changes and adapts when you learn new information or skills or as a response to stress, hormonal fluctuations, drug interactions, injury, and much more.” Dr. Johnson also relates that “your brain displays neuroplasticity when you experience hearing loss.” By measuring brain waves using an electroencephalograph, or EEG, scientists have studied how the brain of a person with hearing loss functions compared to a person with normal hearing. The results are both fascinating and sobering as studies reveal that, in those with hearing loss, the portion of the brain devoted to hearing becomes reorganized. This can be true even with early-stage, mild hearing loss, and the process happens quickly, often in months rather than years. The Hearing Center of Your Brain and Beyond What is actually happening when this takes place? Your brain has a right and a left hemisphere and six major lobes. Think of your frontal lobe as your brain’s boss, where executive functions like decision making, emotion and impulse control, and planning occur. Your temporal lobe, which contains the auditory cortex, is doing the heavy lifting when it comes to interpreting sounds and assigning those sounds meaning. The temporal lobe processes speech and language, and it is where initial learning of new information takes places, which is the first step for logging that information into memory. Dr. Johnson goes on to relate, “When the delicate infrastructure of your ear has become damaged through noise exposure, infection, etc. leading to hearing loss, your auditory cortex cries out to your frontal lobe, saying ‘Help! Help! I’m not receiving any sound to process, so I feel lost.’ The frontal lobe ‘boss’ jumps to attention, and your occipital lobe, responsible for processing vision and touch, takes over the areas in which hearing is normally processed. In other words, your other senses seek to compensate for the deficit due to the loss of your sense of hearing.” Amazing, right? So, where’s the rub? Picture a car assembly line; each worker has an assigned task. One day, the worker who installs the windshields is absent, and the worker who attaches the rearview mirrors is assigned double duty, and a duty that was not part of job training. It is easy to see how the worker left juggling both jobs is compromised, and a car might slip through minus a rear view mirror. Similarly, the areas of your brain that are being taxed to make up for a lack of hearing are overloaded and less able to do their assigned responsibilities. “This explains why so many of my patients with hearing loss relate feeling exhausted and frustrated after a big family gathering—where multiple talkers and sounds must be interpreted—rather than happy and invigorated by the experience. We call this listening fatigue ,” states Dr. Johnson. Additionally, when left untreated long enough, researchers point to the brain’s reorganization due to hearing loss as a significant correlation with dementia. Hearing Technology and Your Brain “But here's the great news!” Dr. Johnson says. When a person is fit with hearing aids or a cochlear implant and sound is restored, the brain has the ability to adjust back—partially or completely—to proper function. How swiftly that happens often depends on how long the hearing loss went untreated and is why she encourages patients to treat hearing loss sooner rather than later. “Here is what I tell patients who are downplaying the importance of hearing: If you won’t treat your hearing loss for the sake of your ears, do it for your brain!”

Johnson Audiology is pleased to announce that the practice will be moving one of its Chattanooga area offices from its current location on Gunbarrel Road to a new location at 6830 Lee Highway. The move will take place January 15. “We are extremely excited to be re-locating to a much larger space later this month,” Dr. Megan Johnson, founder and owner of the award-winning practice, says. “About a year ago, we realized that we needed more room to meet the needs of our growing patient base so we could help even more people with hearing loss. We sought a place that would allow us to stay in the East Brainerd/Hamilton Place area so that the office would still be conveniently located for patients. Our Hixson office will remain at 5617 Highway 153, Suite 203 and is also being upgraded with a second sound booth and beautiful new decor. These two strategically located offices mean that we can continue to serve patients who live east and west of the Tennessee River.” Dr. Johnson says that when she identified the building on Lee Highway, she knew it was an ideal site for this next growth leap. “Our company culture is anchored on the premise of always offering an exceptional patient experience,” she says. “Thanks to our wonderful family of Johnson Audiology patients, we have outgrown our current office and have found the perfect location for offering the best care to even more of our Chattanooga neighbors.” The new location offers many positive features that will benefit patients: The office is conveniently located off Lee Highway in the area between Shallowford Road and Hickory Valley Road, directly behind Dr. Keith B. Dressler’s orthodontic practice. It is a stand-alone office that is not shared with any other businesses. The building is more than 4,000 square feet, which is double the space of the current office on Gunbarrel Road. The added square footage will accommodate a spacious patient welcome and reception area, three sound booths for hearing testing, and a private area for patient check-out. The building has exam rooms for four full time audiologists and an audiology assistant, a large front desk area, and a sizeable lab for hearing aid maintenance and repair. The office has ample space for the practice’s growing Cochlear Implant (CI) Program with a dedicated sound booth and exam area just for CI patients. The building design allows for easy circular patient flow throughout the office. The building has a dedicated, 20-space parking lot just for Johnson Audiology patients and additional parking for Johnson Audiology staff. Dr. Johnson mentions that the building was a non-medical office previously, so updates were needed to bring it up to par for a bustling hearing health care clinic. It currently is being remodeled, and the parking lot resurfaced. “We have plans to transition to the new building by January 15 with some final touches to the office’s aesthetics continuing through the spring,” she says.  Dr. Johnson wishes to assure folks that measures are in place to alleviate disruption to the service patients receive during this time and thanks patients in advance for their continued support and understanding during the transition. “The new office is going to be incredible!” she says. Initial correspondence has been delivered to patients about the move. Dr. Johnson says, “Patients who have appointments scheduled in early January or those who need walk-in service for hearing aid maintenance and supplies from now until January 15 should continue visiting the Gunbarrel Road location.” Dr. Johnson says, “In February, we will invite our friends and neighbors in the Chattanooga community to an open house celebration, where we will do an official reveal of the new space!” Johnson Audiology has been faithfully serving the citizens of Chattanooga since the practice opened its doors on October 1, 2009. “As we prepare to celebrate our 15th anniversary this year, the new office location on Lee Highway and the upgrades to the Hixson office are evidence of our commitment to patients.” Dr. Johnson goes on to say, “Chattanoogans have named Johnson Audiology Best of the Best in the category of Favorite Audiologist and Hearing Aid Clinic for 11 years straight. And they consistently name Johnson Audiology in the top three in the category of Best Customer Service among all Chattanooga businesses. We seek to live up to those accolades daily!” Dr. Johnson concludes, “One of our patients, Mr. Van Tenpenny, recently had this to say about us: ‘My visit to Johnson Audiology has been life changing! After decades of hearing loss, I am able to hear normal conversations in any environment.’ It is our highest ideal to be here for Mr. Tenpenny and the thousands of other patients like him who prioritize their hearing for the best quality of life.” Do you want to get on the road to healthy hearing? Johnson Audiology is currently accepting new patients at all locations. Call today to schedule an appointment or book online at www.johnsonaudiology.com/schedule.

Tinnitus, often described as a persistent ringing or buzzing sound in the ears, is a common auditory phenomenon that affects millions of people worldwide. While tinnitus is not a disease itself, it can be a symptom of an underlying issue. At Johnson Audiology, we are committed to helping you understand tinnitus and guiding you through the steps to manage this often-distressing condition. Understanding Tinnitus Tinnitus can vary in intensity and pitch, and it may present as a constant sound or come and go intermittently. It can be caused by a range of factors, including exposure to loud noise, age-related hearing loss, earwax blockage, and even certain medications. Tinnitus can impact your quality of life, leading to sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and emotional distress. Steps to Manage Tinnitus Consult an Audiologist: If you're experiencing tinnitus, the first step is to seek professional help. A university-trained audiologist, a hearing health specialist, can conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your tinnitus and its impact on your hearing. Identify Underlying Causes: Tinnitus often has an underlying cause, such as hearing loss, a medical condition, or exposure to loud noise. An audiologist can help identify these causes and recommend appropriate treatment options. Customized Treatment Plans: Based on the evaluation, your audiologist will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Treatment approaches may include: Hearing Aids: If hearing loss is contributing to your tinnitus, hearing aids can help by amplifying external sounds and reducing the perception of the tinnitus. More than 90% of those who have tinnitus, also, have hearing loss, even if the loss is mild. Sound Therapy: Sound therapy involves using external sounds, such as white noise or nature sounds, to mask or distract from the tinnitus noise. Counseling: Counseling and education can help you better understand tinnitus and learn coping strategies to manage its impact on your daily life. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): TRT combines sound therapy and counseling to help you habituate to the tinnitus and reduce its perception over time. Lifestyle Modifications: Your audiologist may recommend lifestyle changes, such as managing stress, avoiding loud noise exposure, and adopting healthy sleep habits. Monitor and Adjust: Tinnitus management is an ongoing process. Regular follow-up appointments with your audiologist allow for adjustments to treatment plans based on your progress and changing needs. Seek Support: Tinnitus can be emotionally distressing. It is important to seek support from friends, family, and even support groups where you can connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges. While tinnitus can be disruptive, understanding the condition and taking proactive steps to manage it can lead to improved quality of life. At Johnson Audiology, our dedicated team of audiologists is here to guide you through the journey of tinnitus management, providing the expertise and support you need to find relief and regain control over your hearing health. Contact us today to take the first step toward a more peaceful and harmonious auditory experience.

When it comes to addressing hearing health concerns, it is important to have a clear understanding of the professionals who can help you achieve optimal hearing. At Johnson Audiology, we take pride in providing expert care for all your hearing needs. Understanding the difference between an audiologist and a hearing instrument specialist can help you make informed decisions about your hearing health journey. Audiologist: Masters of Hearing Health Audiologists are highly trained professionals with advanced degrees in audiology. They hold either a master's or doctoral degree, specializing in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing disorders. These professionals possess a deep understanding of the intricate mechanisms of the ear, the auditory system, and the complex nature of hearing loss. At Johnson Audiology, our audiologists are dedicated to delivering comprehensive hearing care services, including: Diagnostic Evaluations: Audiologists conduct thorough assessments to determine the extent and nature of your hearing loss. These evaluations help them formulate tailored treatment plans. Hearing Aid Fittings: Audiologists have the expertise to select and fit the most suitable hearing aids based on your specific needs, lifestyle, and hearing profile. Customized Treatment: Whether your hearing loss requires medical intervention, hearing aids, assistive listening devices, or cochlear implants, audiologists recommend and provide the appropriate solutions. Rehabilitation: Audiologists assist in the rehabilitation process, helping you adjust to new hearing aids or devices, and providing guidance on communication strategies. Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Management: Audiologists can address specific hearing issues like tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and hyperacusis (a sound loudness disorder) through specialized diagnostic testing, therapies, and treatments. Hearing Instrument Specialist: Focusing on Devices Hearing Instrument Specialists (HIS), also known as Hearing Aid Dispensers, are those who complete training in the fitting, selection, and maintenance of hearing aids. They do not possess the same level of comprehensive training in audiology as audiologists with the length of training varying widely from state to state. In the state of Tennessee, the training is less than 12 weeks. In Georgia, HIS training ranges from 3 to 6 months. By comparison, an audiologist attains a bachelors and a doctoral degree to practice audiology. Choosing the Right Path for You Whether you are seeking comprehensive audiological care or specialized assistance with hearing devices, understanding the distinction between and audiologist and a hearing instrument specialist is important. At Johnson Audiology our university-trained audiologists ensure that you receive the highest level of personalized care, tailored to your unique needs and preferences. Contact us today to embark on your journey to better hearing with the trusted experts at Johnson Audiology.

The Relationship Between Healthy Hearing and Improved Cognitive Function Do you want to stay mentally sharp throughout life? All of us do, right? We want to think and reason effectively, make good decisions, and keep the knowledge we have already gained. We want to continue to expand our intelligence and experiences and increase our understanding of the world around us. We want to have meaningful, positive relationships with family, friends and workmates and stay socially active and mentally and emotionally engaged. Different parts of the brain control each of these functions, and a healthy brain can mean a healthier, happier life. Eating nutritious foods, staying hydrated, getting restorative sleep and plenty of exercise are tactics all of us seem to recognize as “no-brainers” for a healthy lifestyle. But did you know that maintaining your sense of hearing is also an important part of keeping your brain healthy? Your brain’s temporal lobe sits behind the ears and crosses both left and right brain hemispheres. It is the second largest lobe in the brain and has some very important functions. The Impact of Hearing Health on Brain Health and the Temporal Lobe: is responsible for processing the auditory information your ears are gathering—everything from language and speech to the myriad of other sounds you encounter daily. is where memory encoding takes place. Memory encoding refers to the initial learning of information as your brain gathers various sensory input—like internal thoughts and external events—and solidifies them as short term and long-term memories. plays an important role in learning and remembering verbal information. manages emotions like fear and anxiety and also contributes to the good feelings you experience when you get a reward. has a visual aspect as it helps with recognition of objects, including complex objects, such as faces. Obviously, the temporal lobe is doing some heavy lifting when it comes to your body’s function and well-being, and it relies heavily on sound input to kick start it into action. This is true for those with undamaged hearing AND those with hearing loss that is being re-engaged with the help of amplification technology, like a hearing aid or a cochlear implant. Preventing Cognitive Decline Through Hearing Care Addressing hearing loss sooner rather than later can help you adjust to hearing aids quicker and more smoothly. When hearing loss is left untreated for a long period of time, your brain “forgets” how to hear and must re-learn those skills when you are fit with hearing aids. Healthy hearing can help you stay socially engaged and active with friends and family, which studies suggest is a key factor in overall happiness, mental and emotional well-being, and life satisfaction. By contrast, hearing loss can lead to isolation as a person struggles to keep up with basic conversations. Hearing loss creates a heavy “cognitive load” since struggling to hear requires greater listening effort, which can be exhausting. It also saps the mental energy your brain needs to conduct other tasks. Treating hearing loss rebalances the cognitive load. In a nutshell, healthy hearing helps you think, remember and learn. We all want to live happy, healthy lives, and addressing hearing loss is a pro-active choice you can make to reach that goal. Do you want to get on the road to healthy hearing and help your brain in the process? Call today to schedule an appointment at Johnson Audiology or book online at www.johnsonaudiology.com/schedule.

Did you know that more than 200 common medications on the market today also can cause damage to your inner ear that can result in hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance issues? These drugs are considered ototoxic (oto means ear and toxic means poisonous).

For several years, modifications on how hearing devices are classified have been in the works. Keeping abreast of updates can be challenging since misinformation abounds on the topic. Below you will find background information as well as the most recent updates since the FDA guidelines were released in August 2022. Two categories of hearing devices historically Historically, two types of hearing devices were categorized—hearing aids and personal sound amplification products, or PSAPS. Hearing aids For years, programmable hearing aids have been classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as Class I or Class II medical devices. The difference between Class I and Class II hearing aids is that Class II hearing aids are those that integrate wireless technology, including ear-to-ear communication and Bluetooth. In order to be fit with one of these Class I or Class II hearing aids, a patient would see a licensed hearing care professional, namely an audiologist or a hearing aid dispenser. The hearing care professional conducts a diagnostic hearing test to determine the level of hearing loss, takes measurements and/or custom earmolds, and fits the person with hearing aids based on a thorough review of the person’s unique hearing loss, common listening environments, and other needs. During the fitting process, live measurements are made while the hearing aids are in the patient’s ear with the hearing care professional using the hearing manufacturer’s computer software to minimize feedback and adjust for optimal sound quality. Additionally, real-ear measurements are used to verify targets are met to insure the person is receiving proper amplification. Personal Sound Amplification Products, or PSAPS Available for many years and often confused with hearing aids are PSAPs, or personal sound amplification products, that are available in retail stores and through purchase online, by mail order or over the phone. PSAPs are not hearing aids. Instead, they amplify all sounds without discernment and, therefore, are not intended for those with hearing loss. Devices for those with hearing loss need to be tailored and programmed to an individual’s specific needs. Because of the low cost of PSAPs (anywhere from $10 to $500), many have sought to treat their hearing loss with these devices, however. Historically, the FDA has differentiated between hearing aids and PSAPs as a way of protecting consumers from the potential damage that PSAPs can do to a person’s hearing since the devices can be purchased without a prescription and without a hearing evaluation or ongoing care from a trained hearing care professional. Changes in 2017 that initiated the redefinition of hearing devices In 2017, two pieces of Congressional legislation were passed that significantly impact hearing devices—the FDA Reauthorization Act and the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 The FDA Reauthorization Act was signed into law in 2017. This sweeping act included revisions and extensions for things like user-fee programs for drugs, generic drugs, and other similar biological products. It also included revisions for medical devices, thus opening the door for a third category of hearing devices—an over-the-counter category. The Act outlines that the new OTC class of hearing products are for people with “self-perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss.” OTC devices will be available without a prescription or the involvement of a licensed professional for fitting and programming the hearing aids. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Act of 2017 The OTC Hearing Aid Act of 2017 was also signed into law in 2017 and is a rider on the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017. It created a class of hearing aids regulated by the FDA that is available directly to consumers without involvement from a licensed professional like an audiologist or otolaryngologist. FDA rules for this new class of hearing aid were expected to be released by the end of 2020, but a delay was announced noting the COVID-19 pandemic as the overarching factor for delay. However, further delay notices were forthcoming in March and April of 2021, pushing out the date when OTC regulations would be released by the FDA to the end of 2022. July 9, 2021 Executive Order On July 9, 2021, President Joe Biden issued an executive order that included many health care related directives. The order included a directive to the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the FDA, to consider issuing the OTC hearing aid rules within 120 days of the order, or November 6, 2021. August 16, 2022 FDA Releases OTC Regulations On August 16, the FDA released a 200+ page document outlining the regulations for entities bringing products in this new class of hearing aid to the market. It outlines requirements as to the way labeling and packaging on these devices are presented to the public. It makes recommendations that OTC devices are for those with self-perceived mild to moderate hearing loss rather than profound hearing loss. The final rule also includes specifications as to the performance and device design of OTC hearing aids. Things to Consider With OTC Hearing Aids Audiologist resoundingly resist OTC hearing aids. Here's why. Recognizable brands as well as obscure companies will jump in the market and then out again based solely on profit margin rather than customer satisfaction. Examples abound of the mercurial nature of companies that jump into (and often out of) the direct-to-consumer hearing aid realm, and the overarching reason tends to be lack of profit margin. One company that is well known for its home stereo systems and speakers jumped into the market with an OTC hearing aid stamped with their logo and then stepped out of the market just 10 months later, and this was before the FDA guidelines were even released. They then aligned themselves with a company that has had a direct-to-consumer hearing product that has been available for years, stamped it with the new label that the FDA classification now allows, and presents it to the public as if it is something brand new. It remains to be seen what other devices will trickle into the OTC realm ultimately. No doubt, it will include a wide range of products that may be difficult for consumers to gauge the usefulness and safety of, despite the FDA's aim to monitor new devices. Using the term hearing aid to describe what will likely be distributed in the OTC market may be misleading, at best, and dangerous at worst, to the public welfare. How so? Hearing loss is a health issue not a retail experience Hearing loss and other disorders of the ear are health concerns, and should, thus, be diagnosed and treated by an audiologist, the university-trained health care provider with education, training and certification in conditions involving the ear and hearing. If a person has a heart condition, he seeks out a cardiologist. If a person has diabetes, she visits an endocrinologist. A person with hearing loss and other hearing disorders, like tinnitus and hyperacusis, should be treated by an audiologist or otolaryngologist, the health care providers most qualified to diagnose and treat hearing loss. Self-fitting and self-programming a recipe for failure OTC hearing aids are designed to be self-fitting and self-programming, and FDA regulations specify they are for those with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Predictions are that many companies will enter the market with devices where programming is based on an at-home hearing test or no hearing test at all. Questioning on these companies' website even asks potential customers to rate their own level of hearing loss. These scenarios can produce highly varied and potentially inaccurate hearing loss measures and, thus, can lead to ill-fit and ill-programmed hearing devices, which could translate into low customer satisfaction and the danger of a person giving up on hearing aids completely because they feel like they "don't work." This robs a person of the vast benefits they realize when they have hearing loss that is properly diagnosed and hearing aids that are properly fit and programmed. They also miss out on the ongoing support and care an audiologist provides. Diagnoses of more serious health issues may be missed Audiologists are often a patient’s first line of defense in detecting disease process, acoustic tumor, cerumen impaction, eardrum issues, balance disorders, etc. Hearing loss can result from a myriad of factors. Bypassing qualified hearing professionals for an OTC option may mean that a serious condition goes undetected and untreated. Hearing loss on the rise worldwide Hearing loss is on the rise worldwide, further punctuating the necessity for qualified professionals to treat this growing public health concern. Interestingly, political entities use the increase in hearing loss as an argument in favor of OTC hearing aids, reasoning that OTC will offer people greater accessibility to hearing devices. Again, an inaccurately fit and programmed hearing aid, however “accessible,” does not lead to better outcomes, but rather to frustration and attrition. Measuring the cost of OTC hearing devices Political entities site cost as an overarching factor for the need for OTC hearing aids; yet, closer examination reveals that price gouging on hearing aids has much more to do with the hodgepodge of legal dispensing entities that have been allowed by the government to enter the hearing aid arena. At Johnson Audiology, we implore people to educate themselves on which entities that can dispense hearing aids, albeit legally, are the actual culprits in price gouging. Audiologists earn a doctoral degree from an accredited university, they devote years to their education while in school and beyond, and are bound by strict ethics in the way they treat patients and dispense hearing aids. Other types of dispensing entities, however, like big box store hearing aid counters and franchise hearing aid dispensers do not necessarily operate under that same ethical code. One could argue that OTC, a retail-based dispensing entity, will likely fall into the same category—more interested in selling hearing devices than helping people be successful on a lifelong journey to healthier hearing. And while the cost may appear cheaper up front for OTC hearing aids, spending less money on a hearing device that provides limited benefit is actually less cost effective in the long run. Reputable audiologists, on the other hand, are committed to offering information and access to a wide range of support options for patients who cannot afford hearing aids. Many audiology practices commit time and human resources in working with patients’ insurance companies and third-party hearing aid plans, despite low reimbursement rates for many services. They work with Veterans by way of the VA, which offers hearing aid benefits, and they help individuals with special needs acquire hearing devices by way of state Vocational Rehabilitation programs. They put patients in touch with non-profit groups, like Easter Seals’ and Lions Club International’s hearing programs, that provide help for hearing health care, all in an effort to get people hearing again. In 2019, Johnson Audiology launched its own non-profit organization to help those in need get hearing aids, the Johnson Audiology Hearing Foundation. Learn more at www.johnsonaudiology.com/foundation . As additional information continues to be available about OTC hearing devices, Johnson Audiology will provide further updates.

Johnson Audiology welcomes Kristen Panzarella, Au.D., as she joins the practice’s Middle Tennessee team. She will work out of the Murfreeboro and Franklin offices. Dr. Panzarella commented, "I am delighted to join this vibrant and ever-growing practice and was immediately struck by its family feel. I love being able to build lasting relationships with patients and look forward to getting to know people from all over the Middle Tennessee area." Dr. Panzarella received her Doctorate of Audiology degree from Louisiana State University in New Orleans, LA and her bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders from Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Dr. Panzarella has worked in private audiology practices and ENT practices with adults and children. She is skilled in comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and treatment; hearing aid fitting, repairs, and programming; balance evaluations; pediatric hearing screenings; Real Ear Measures; and tinnitus evaluations, counseling, and rehabilitation. Dr. Panzarella’s choice of audiology as her profession stems from a very personal place. She related, "As a child, I observed my grandmother’s struggle with hearing loss that she experienced as the result of a bomb explosion when she was a little girl growing up in Italy during World War II. It inspired me to devote my life to helping people who are challenged with hearing loss." About becoming a part of the Johnson Audiology team, Dr. Panzarella said, "After moving to the Nashville area in the spring of 2021 for my audiology externship, I became acquainted with Johnson Audiology and its solid reputation in the Middle Tennessee area. I also was impressed that the practice has a non-profit, charitable arm—the Johnson Audiology Hearing Foundation—that assists those with financial difficulty with their hearing health care. I thought, ‘Now that’s a practice I want to be a part of and contribute my skills.’" Johnson Audiology owner, Megan Johnson, Au.D., said, "Dr. Panzarella has seamlessly become a part of our team. I am excited for her to take our Murfreesboro office to the next level with her strong audiologic skills—she graduated as a member of Alpha Eta National Honors Society with a 4.0 GPA—sunny disposition and go-getter attitude. She is a welcomed addition." Dr. Panzarella grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, where much of her immediate family resides, then she spent time in New Orleans while receiving her doctoral degree. She said she and her high school sweetheart—now her fiancé—love to travel and cook, and she hopes to visit her family’s ancestral region in Sicily, Italy one of these days. "I have family there that I have never met. My great-grandmother’s meatball recipe is the absolute best, so I imagine my future bucket list trip to the Old Country will involve a lot of great food." For the time being, she and her fiancé are enjoying exploring Middle Tennessee’s beautiful countryside with their golden retriever, Cooper, in tow. They also love the hustle and bustle of downtown Nashville. Dr. Panzarella is currently accepting new patients in the Murfreesboro and Franklin offices of Johnson Audiology at 804 North Thompson Lane, Suite 1F and 3325 Aspen Grove Drive, Suite 105, respectively. Call today to schedule an appointment at 615.295.2970 or 615.656.1109 or book online at www.johnsonaudiology.com/schedule .

Johnson Audiology welcomes Kelsey Alpeter, Au.D., to its Chattanooga office. Dr. Alpeter will direct the practice’s cochlear implant (CI) program. Dr. Alpeter commented, "I am excited to be a part of the Johnson Audiology team, and I look forward to helping patients hear to the best of their ability—whether they need to simply protect their hearing, explore hearing aids, or consider cochlear implants." Dr. Alpeter received her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of South Alabama in Mobile and her bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Auburn University. Dr. Alpeter has worked in both private practice audiology and ENT settings. Immediately before coming to Johnson Audiology, she was an audiologist at Associates in ENT in Chattanooga.  Dr. Alpeter has experience with both adult and pediatric populations. She is skilled in comprehensive diagnostic evaluations and treatment; hearing aid fitting, balance testing and treatment; cochlear implant candidacy evaluations and mapping; newborn hearing screenings; Real Ear Measures; and tinnitus evaluations, counseling, and rehabilitation. About her chosen profession, Dr. Alpeter said, "Seeing the improvements that occur in people’s lives after they address hearing loss is why I am an audiologist." An especially poignant moment in her career involved helping a woman who had dementia. Dr. Alpeter said, "Communication between the lady and her husband had all but ceased as hearing loss compounded the dementia-driven confusion she was already experiencing. I treated her for hearing loss, and the lady’s husband shared with me that their entire relationship improved. Better hearing brought her out of a world of silence, and she could continue to participate in life." Dr. Alpeter said, "My husband and I have lived in the Chattanooga area since 2020, and after moving here, I quickly became familiar with the positive reputation Johnson Audiology has in this community. I am excited to join this cohesive team of professional audiologists and support staff, who are focused on helping people hear better." She also commented, "I love private practice because you can build strong, lasting bonds with your patients. Additionally, I appreciate that Johnson Audiology is a solid partner in the community through its Johnson Audiology Hearing Foundation, its charitable, non-profit arm that helps those with financial need receive hearing testing and hearing aids." Johnson Audiology owner, Megan Johnson, Au.D., is pleased to have Dr. Alpeter join the practice and said, "Dr. Alpeter is a welcomed addition to our team. She has extensive training with cochlear implants, making her the perfect fit to direct our CI program at Johnson Audiology." Dr. Alpeter was born in Alabama. She grew up in a U.S. military family so moving around was a significant part of her childhood. She has lived in six states, and her family also resided on a base in Germany. Early in her audiology career, she spent a year and half in Lihue, Hawaii, the largest city on the island of Kauai. She loves to hike and has traversed the Kalalau Trail in Hawaii, which made Outside magazine’s list of Top 20 Most Dangerous hikes in the world. Dr. Alpeter said she and her husband, TJ, relish the array of outdoor recreation opportunities that the Tennessee Valley has to offer. They hit the trails in the area often and enjoy paddleboarding on the river. Dr. Alpeter is currently accepting new patients in the Chattanooga office of Johnson Audiology at 1618 Gunbarrel Road. Call today to schedule an appointment at 423.710.1432 or book online at www.johnsonaudiology.com/schedule .