Meet Madison Sakaan, Our New Doctor of Audiology in Chattanooga
Nov 15, 2021

Meet Madison Sakaan, Our New Doctor of Audiology in Chattanooga

Johnson Audiology welcomes Madison Sakaan, Au.D., to its Chattanooga office.



About joining the team at Johnson Audiology, Sakaan commented, “Johnson Audiology is an audiologist-owned practice that is clearly making a significant positive impact in the Chattanooga area. I appreciate the fact that Johnson Audiology allows me to perform high-quality hearing evaluations and fit hearing aids according to best practice.”


Sakaan received her Doctorate of Audiology degree from East Tennessee State University and her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She graduated summa cum laude for both her graduate and undergraduate degree. Her clinical experience includes work at the University of Kentucky Medical Center’s Department of Otolaryngology, Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center at Mountain Home Audiology Clinic, Johnson City Community Health Center’s Audiology Clinic, Wautauga Hearing, Bristol Speech and Hearing Center; Mission Children’s Hospital in Asheville, N.C., and East Tennessee State University’s Speech and Hearing Clinic.


She is skilled in adult and pediatric audiological evaluation, hearing aid evaluation and fitting, tinnitus evaluation and treatment and programming of implantable devices, including cochlear implants and bone induction hearing devices.


Sakaan said that what excites her most about working with Johnson Audiology “is the opportunity to serve patients with cochlear implants.” She went on to say, “Cochlear implants have long been a passion of mine, and I am overjoyed to begin working with patients in the Chattanooga area who currently have cochlear implants and with those who are considering cochlear implantation.”


Megan Johnson, Au.D., and owner of Johnson Audiology said, “We are very excited to welcome Dr. Sakaan to our ranks especially because of her experience with implantable devices. Johnson Audiology has offered cochlear diagnostics and follow-up care for a few years now and recently announced exciting news about working with Associates in ENT , a Chattanooga otolaryngology practice that now offers cochlear implant surgery at Memorial Hospital here in Chattanooga. Prior to this summer, cochlear patients could visit Johnson Audiology for initial diagnostic services and follow-up care but there were no Ear, Nose and Throat surgeons in the area performing the implant surgery. Patients had to travel to larger cities like Nashville and Atlanta. With a complete continuum of care now available here in Chattanooga, having Dr. Sakaan serving cochlear patients means even more patients who can be helped.”

About her chosen profession, Sakaan said, “My start in audiology was a bit unconventional. In high school, I loved languages and began college as a Spanish major. However, I later decided I wanted to be involved in healthcare in some way. That is when I learned of speech-language pathology. It seemed like a good fit as it incorporated healthcare and my love of languages! As speech-language pathologists and audiologists work together closely, part of my coursework was an Introduction to Audiology course. The minute I began this class, I became fascinated with audiology. It incorporated just the right amount of diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up. I was especially drawn to the fact that I could build long-term relationships with patients and really have a positive impact on their lives. “

Sakaan and her husband, who is an emergency medicine resident at Erlanger, moved to Chattanooga in May. She said, “I was born in Illinois, and my family moved to Dyersburg, Tennessee in the western part of the state when I was five years old so I’ve always considered myself a Tennessee girl. Being from West Tennessee, I did not grow up around mountains, so I have a special appreciation for the beautiful topography of the Chattanooga area. My husband and I have loved every second of living here! In particular, we have enjoyed the abundant food scene, running in the downtown area, and the aquarium. Hiking is one of my favorite pastimes, and this region is a hiker’s paradise.”


Johnson said, “Dr. Sakaan is a welcomed addition to the Johnson Audiology family both with our current patients and staff. She has an impressive educational background and experience in a variety of audiologic settings. She also has that wonderful mix of methodical audiologic skills along with a true desire to help people. These traits shine through in how she approaches and cares for each and every patient.”


Johnson Audiology currently has nine Doctors of Audiology in five offices in Tennessee and Georgia. Sakaan joins Dr. Johnson in the office located on Gunbarrel Road along with Whitney Smith, Au.D. and Susan Porter, Au.D. who have been with Johnson Audiology since 2011 and 2014, respectively. They, along with patient care coordinators Holly Chadwick, Carrie Bingham, Jill Goodman, and Heather Whalen, thank current patients of Johnson Audiology for their ongoing support and invite new patients to call the office at (423) 710.1432.


By Jan Hollingsworth 09 Jan, 2024
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.
15 Aug, 2023
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.
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