Doug Spear

Doug initiated his professional journey in the mid-80s with the Commission for Children, where he laid the foundation for his career. Following this, he assumed the role of audiologist for Appalachian Regional Healthcare in Harlan County, dedicating approximately 15 years to this position. Subsequently, Doug transitioned to a private practice in Pikeville, contributing five years…
Nicole Smith
Paula Stewart

Paula joined the team in 2023. She received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Harding University and her master’s degree in exercise science and nutrition from Lipscomb University. In her free time, Paula enjoys staying active, cheering for the University of Louisville and Xavier University athletics and spending time with her husband, Rick.
Vote for Brett Bachmann in the 2023 Oticon Focus on People Awards
Heuser Hearing Institute CEO Brett Bachmann has been selected as a finalist in the 2023 Oticon Focus on People Awards, a national competition that celebrates people who are helping to change perceptions of what it means to live with hearing loss. Brett is one of three finalists in this year’s Hearing Loss Champion category, a…
Rachel Meredith

Rachel is a speech therapist currently practicing under a KY State Interim license in compliance with Standard VII of the Speech Language Pathology Certification Standards as required by the American Speech Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She received a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Louisville. She has a passion in assessing…
Paula Stewart
Nicole Smith
Can Vitamin D Deficiency Contribute to Hearing Loss?

More than 1.5 billion people (nearly 20% of the global population) live with hearing loss. Common factors that can increase your risk of hearing loss include aging, loud noise exposure, viral illnesses, genetics and more. New research indicates that vitamin D deficiency could be another risk factor for developing hearing loss. What Is Vitamin D?…
Doug Spear
Ashley Bisschop
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The Relationship Between Hearing Loss and Mental Fatigue

Most of us have experienced mental fatigue after a long day of listening to presentations or attending Zoom meetings. However, if you have hearing loss, you are likely to experience this fatigue sooner and more frequently. Struggling to Hear Wears Out Your Brain Hearing loss often happens because of damage to the hair cells of…
Deaf Education Professionals Symposium

Our inaugural Deaf Education Professionals Symposium is taking place on November 3rd from 6 PM to 9 PM and November 4th from 8 AM to 3 PM at Heuser Hearing & Language Academy! Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about new technologies and resources for the DHH & Deaf/Blind community as well as…
When Should You Get a Hearing Test?

Did you know that an estimated 48 million Americans experience some degree of hearing loss? Even more surprising is that only a fraction of people with hearing loss are receiving treatment for this. Oftentimes, hearing loss comes on so gradually that people go years before realizing they have a problem. One of the issues is…
CEO Brett Bachmann- Celebrating 10 Years

Across his career, Brett has been drawn to issues of social justice and equity, especially when it comes to the welfare of children or others who are marginalized. He instinctively understands the deep impact one individual can have on the life of another, for good or for ill. From the very beginning, Brett knew he…
Alumni Spotlight: Riley Ennis

Riley Ennis is a junior at Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) and a proud HHLA alum from the class of 2012. Riley credits HHLA with building her a strong foundation both academically and personally. Since graduating from Heuser, Riley has grown into a bright and outgoing young woman. Throughout her academic career she has pushed hard to excel in hopes of…
Dara Zahorik

Dara joined the Heuser Hearing team in 2023. She is currently a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison working towards her Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance and a certificate in arts communication. Dara loves to stay active and is working towards her Pilates certification. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family, traveling,…
What Are Common Tinnitus Triggers?

If you experience tinnitus, you know what a frustrating and disruptive condition it can be. Tinnitus has many different causes, as well as triggers that can cause symptoms to flare up. Let’s take a look at a few of the common tinnitus triggers. What is Tinnitus? Tinnitus is described as a ringing in the ears….
Brittany Neal
Deva North
Savannah Daughtery
Kentucky State Fair

The Heuser Hearing Institute and KY HEARS booth will be open daily from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday during the state fair. Come visit our booth for some exciting displays, a free hearing screening and swag items!
Can Ear Infections Cause Hearing Loss?

The most commonly associated symptom with ear infections is ear pain. However, ear infections can also cause muffled hearing or hearing loss. This hearing loss is usually temporary in nature and returns to normal once the infection clears up. Some people who experience severe, chronic ear infections may be at a higher risk of permanent…
Morgan Haysley

Morgan Eads attended the University of Louisville, obtaining a degree in Psychology and a Master’s of Science in Communicative Disorders. She has always been passionate about working with children. Morgan also enjoys playing volleyball, being outside and spending time with her husband and puppy. She is thrilled to be a part of Heuser’s family and…
Chase Sereno

Chase is a fourth-year extern who is finishing his doctorate at Salus University Osborne College of Audiology. Chase graduated with his bachelor’s in communications sciences and disorders with deaf education from Utah State University. He is originally from Oswego, New York, and has loved the culture here in Louisville. Chase is interested in hearing diagnostics,…
Chardae Shepard
Mahvish Ansari

Mahvish joined the Heuser Hearing team in 2023. She earned a bachelor’s in applied psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a postbaccalaureate in communication science disorders from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Mahvish has experience providing ABA Therapy to children who have autism and aiding in pediatric neuro-recovery for those with…
Alumni Spotlight: Michael Shea

I attended Louisville Deaf Oral School from 1994-1996 after being diagnosed with hearing loss when I was nearly 5 years old. My parents noticed that my vocabulary was very limited in the years prior to our appointment with an audiologist. They met with a number of other specialists and received a number of misdiagnoses before…
Protect Your Hearing on July 4

As the Fourth of July nears and growing numbers of Americans are reporting hearing loss, the American Academy of Audiology and Heuser Hearing Institute are cautioning the public to protect their hearing during firework displays. Noise from fireworks can reach up to 155 decibels. To put this into perspective, this is louder than a jet…
HHLA Back-to-School Summer Camp

Register now for our Heuser Hearing & Language Academy Back-to-School Summer Camp! Week One will be from July 17 to July 21. Week Two will be from July 24 to July 28. Both will be full-day camps from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Scan the QR code on the flyer or click here to sign…
How To Use Headphones While Wearing Hearing Aids

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, “About 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids.” Hearing aid technology has advanced at a rapid pace in recent years. One of the latest features is the ability for your hearing aids to act like wireless earbuds using Bluetooth® technology. However,…
Alumni Spotlight: Michai Lombardi

My name is Michai Lombardi, and I attended LDOS (Louisville Deaf Oral School) from 1995-1997. I was born deaf and raised by a single mother as the oldest of five children. I learned sign language and how to speak while a student at LDOS. I remember great times going on field trips, Halloween parties, Thanksgiving,…
HHLA 1/2 Day Summer Camp

Heuser Hearing & Language Academy will be bringing the farm to the academy from June 5-9! Please register for the HHLA 1/2 day summer camp by scanning the QR code on the flyer or clicking here. The camp is available to current, incoming and past HHLA students and their siblings aged 3-7. If you would…
Town Hall With Rep. McGarvey

On June 3, please join Rep. McGarvey at Heuser Hearing Institute for a discussion about the impact of gun violence in our Louisville community and the policy solutions needed to address it.
Michai Lombardi
Heuser Patient Sherry Martinez Credits the Institute with Giving Her Hope for Recovery
My vestibular dysfunction journey began with a vision loss event while I was at work. Though it was temporary, it was one of the scariest things I’ve ever experienced. What followed were many symptoms including dizziness, difficulty with balance, visual processing issues, motion related issues, cognitive function deficits, severe light sensitivity, multiple sensory issues, a…
We are Hiring: Patient Care Coordinator at Heuser Hearing Institute
Heuser Hearing Institute (HHI) is a multi-specialty, not-for-profit campus promoting the needs of children and adults with disorders of hearing, balance, and communication. HHI includes four outpatient facilities, a research center, a school for children with disorders of speech and hearing. KY HEARS: a community outreach initiative to remove hearing healthcare barriers, mobile units for…
Internships at Heuser Hearing Institute
We are looking for interns. Opportunities: Join us at Heuser Hearing Institute, where we’re committed to promoting the wellbeing of our community through exceptional hearing care. Interested in becoming part of our team? Please call us at 502-584-3573.
Careers
Heuser Hearing Institute is a comprehensive community that empowers those with hearing loss or speech, language and communication disorders to reach their full potential and effectively participate in the community. If you are interested in applying for any of our open positions, please read below for details and contact information. Open Positions Patient Care Coordinator…
Here’s How You Can Protect Your Ears While Exercising Outdoors

Nicer weather means you’ll want to spend more time outdoors, even to exercise. However, when doing so, it’s important to take measures to protect your ears and hearing. We review tips for this below. Wear Hearing Protection If you’re going to be going for a run through Levy Park on Eastside Street where they could…
In Remembrance
Tiffanie Fuller
It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the death of our colleague and friend, Tiffanie Fuller. Tiffanie was on her way to work on Friday, March 30, 2023 when she got into a tragic motor vehicle accident that claimed her life. She has been part of our Heuser family for…
Alumni Spotlight: Grant Scheynost

My name is Grant Scheynost and I graduated from the Louisville Deaf Oral School in 2000. After LDOS, I attended JCPS schools and graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2016 with a degree in management information systems. I currently work as an Informaticist for Humana analyzing pharmaceutical data. During my free time, I’m either…
Fuel Member Access
Vacation Packing Essentials for People with Hearing Loss
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports, “Approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing.” If you’re among this population and you’re preparing to go on vacation, you may need to do a little extra preparation. Below we review your vacation packing essentials for people…
Speech Camp

When: April 3-7, 2023 Help your child spring into speech at our speech therapy camp! From April 3-7, participants ages 3-7 will focus on verbal communication, mastering emotions, sensory exploration and expressive dance. Camp starts at 9 a.m. and continues through 4 p.m. each day, with before and after care available. Admission is $200. To…
Speech Therapy Camp

Speech Therapy Camp Ages: 3-7 Admission: $200 More Information: speechcamp@thehearinginstitute.org When: April 3-7, 2023 9:00am – 4:00pm Donate Volunteer
Mayor’s Give A Day 2023 | Metro United Way’s Volunteer Connection

Heuser Hearing Landscaping & Gardening – Mayor’s Give A Day 2023 | Metro United Way’s Volunteer Connection. Help Heuser Hearing & Language Academy get our campus ready for spring on Mayor’s Give A Day! Volunteers will help with weeding, mulching, and planting flowers on our downtown campus. Gloves and gardening tools will be provided. Lunch…
Alumni Spotlight! Abby Baker

Abby Baker graduated from HHLA in 2014. She is now 13 and a seventh grader at Christian Academy. Since leaving HHLA, Abby has done exceptionally well—she’s a great student, friend and very outgoing. One of Abby’s favorite pastimes is field hockey. She plays field hockey for her school team and is also a club player for IFHCK. However, don’t let…
How To Choose a Cell Phone When You Have Hearing Aids

Hearing aids have evolved over the years to not only improve your listening experience but connect with other technology as well, including cell phones. If you’re in the market for a new phone and want to make sure they work well with your hearing aids, let’s examine what you should look for before you head…
Tips for Planning a Cruise with Hearing Aids

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “In 2019, 7.1% of adults aged 45 and over used a hearing aid; use was higher among men than women in all age groups.” If you’re among this population who wears hearing aids and you’re planning a cruise with your family or friends, below we…