Hearing loss can happen to anyone, regardless of age. In some cases, it can happen suddenly to those overexposed to loud noises. In most cases, however, it happens slowly over a long period of time. This is often the case with age-related hearing loss, and usually only noticeable as it progresses. Recognizing the symptoms of hearing loss is an important first step towards helping you get back to living a fuller, healthier life.
Hearing loss is defined as having lost the ability to hear certain sounds. Some of the most common symptoms are trouble hearing soft or high-pitched tones, like certain consonants or the voices of women or children. Other symptoms could include trouble concentrating or difficulty hearing speech if there is a lot of noise in the background.
Hearing loss can be temporary, such as a ringing or buzzing in the ears after a rock concert. However, when the mechanisms that help you hear are damaged, it is likely permanent. In any case, it is always disturbing to lose the ability to communicate or understand our environment through sound.
Having trouble understanding others in noisy environments
Preferring the volume of the TV or radio louder than most people
Believing people sound as if they are mumbling?
Experiencing ringing in the ears
Speaking too loudly
Difficult to hear when someone talks to you from behind
Having to ask others to repeat what was said during a conversation often
Difficulty hearing on the telephone
If you or someone you know is experiencing signs of hearing loss, has a high probability of developing a hearing condition, or has already been diagnosed, contact your physician to find out if they are already a member of the Physician Hearing Network.
One of the most common hearing loss treatments is the fitting of hearing aids. Hearing aids are a type of amplification device that makes sounds easier to hear. However, all hearings loss is unique, and a Hearing Service Provider can help you choose and adjust the technology that is right for you. Hearing aid technologies available include:
Rechargeable battery
Smartphone compatibility
TV and Bluetooth connectivity
Excellent sound quality
Unparalleled streaming and connectivity
Full remote fine-tuning solution
Doralin leads Physicians Hearing Network’s branding and marketing efforts. She is responsible for evaluating, developing and executing all marketing and advertising strategies to help reach company goals and objectives.
Doralin earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing as well as an MBA from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX. She joined PHN’s corporate team with more than fifteen years experience working for advertising agencies and client-side marketing teams developing and managing strategic planning and marketing strategies for local, regional and national campaigns in the healthcare industry.
Zach began his career in the hearing instrument field in 2003 after obtaining his degree from The Ohio State University. He was given the opportunity to serve the hearing impaired in his hometown community in Northwest Ohio while working under a private practice owner.
During his hearing instrument specialist tenure, he earned numerous service and sales awards and was promoted to executive management in 2013. From 2013 until 2020 he was Sales and Operations Manager for one of the largest corporate retail practices in the country. In 2020, he decided to move back into private practice and began his management career with Physicians Hearing Network. In his current role as Regional Sales Manager, Zach heads our sales department and manages all PHN locations across the nation. He brings extensive experience managing territories in the hearing healthcare industry combined with a strong background serving in senior sales and sales management positions to the PHN senior executive team.
Zach is an avid boater and enjoys spending time on the Lake Erie islands. He also frequents the Florida Keys with his wife and 3 children.
Dr. Scott Lanford has been practicing audiology since 2010. He is passionate about making sure that patients with hearing loss don’t miss out on the joys of communication.
He attended the University of Houston, graduating in 2006 Cum Laude in Communication Disorders. He then attended the University of North Texas, receiving a clinical doctorate in audiology in 2010. During his time at the University, Dr. Lanford was published in two clinical journals on his work with music-induced hearing loss and hearing protection. His clinical externship was completed at the University of Virginia. In his role as Training and Support Services Manager for Physicians Hearing Network, Dr. Lanford leads the training department in the initial and continuing support of our hearing healthcare providers.
Tracy Byerly II, M.D., is CMO of Physicians Hearing Network. An Otolaryngologist in private practice in Fredericksburg, Texas, he also serves as Medical Director for its ENT Division, Spectrum Audiology. Dr. Byerly can attest to the importance of strongly supporting the PHN Hearing Services Program “As physicians, we decide whether we are utilizing our resources in the right way. We are more likely to succeed if we are also setting expectations for our practice.” Dr. Byerly received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston in 2002. He completed an internship in general surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC) in 2007 and his residency in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck surgery at UTHSC in 2012.
As the Founder of Physicians Hearing Network, William’s primary focus is the overall strategic direction and strategy for the company to ensure PHN is providing physician partners the resources required to offer their patient’s hearing services.
William’s extensive background and expertise in hearing healthcare include retail, private practice, and medical settings. He is a past Chairman of the Texas State Licensing Committee for the Fitting & Dispensing of Hearing Instruments. William is also a past president of the Texas Hearing Aid Association and a member of the International Hearing Society. In addition, he is a recipient of the prestigious Texas Hearing Aid Dispenser of the Year Award and National President’s Cup Award.
In his role as Vice President of Operations, Daniel leads a team that ensures a smooth implementation of Physicians Hearing Network’s turn-key audiology and hearing aid model in medical practices.
Daniel graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication. He is a Board-Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist and Audioprosthologist with over 10 years in the audiology industry. He and his team understand the importance of quality patient care and a positive patient experience, which is what they strive to achieve in every physician relationship across the US.
As Director of Recruitment for Physicians Hearing Network, Megan leads the hiring process for all corporate and nationwide positions.
Megan earned her Master of Science degree in Communication from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She has worked in the recruiting industry for close to 10 years, many of which she has focused on recruitment within the hearing healthcare industry. Megan has worked as a North American lead and global recruitment partner for a major hearing aid manufacturer, and for a large startup within the technology and real estate space.
In her role as Director of Training for Physicians Hearing Network, Gail leads the training department in initial and continuing support of our hearing healthcare providers.
Gail earned her Master in Audiology degree from Washington State University and her Doctor of Audiology degree from Pennsylvania College of Optometry. She has worked in the hearing healthcare industry for more than 13 years with extensive experience in training and managing clinics and territories.
Joe is responsible for expanding Physicians Hearing Network’s presence within the primary care market. He seeks out and engages with independent primary care practices that benefit from providing complete hearing healthcare services at the patient’s initial point of care.
Joe attended Ball State University and a host of sales and negotiating courses. He has a diverse business background, serving in senior sales and sales management positions ranging from complex technology solutions for the largest US mortgage lenders to medical devices, biologics, and regenerative medicine, earning several top honors along the way. At various times he also held management responsibility for marketing, product management, customer service, and training. Joe understands that in the end, it comes down to providing solutions that allow a business to improve their customer’s experience and their bottom line.
As Audiologist and Audiology Advisor, Erin provides ongoing peer-to-peer support to fellow providers who work with our partnered ENT practices.
Erin graduated from The University of Texas at Austin for both her Bachelor’s degree and her Doctorate in Audiology. She has experience as the lead audiologist in ENT offices as well as in audiology private practice clinics. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and is a published co-author in peer-reviewed psychoacoustic research.