As of May 2023, I will have been an audiologist for 40 years. I was introduced to audiology in my undergraduate speech pathology program, and I actually graduated with a bachelor of science in speech pathology from one of the first clinical dispensing audiology programs in the early 1980s.

Back then, ASHA was just coming to terms with audiologists dispensing amplification. I graduated with a golden screwdriver!

Then in 2014 I knew I needed a doctorate to succeed in audiology. I was one of the last classes to attend ATSU’s Transitional Doctor of Audiology program through long distance learning (now offered as the online Post-Professional Doctor of Audiology program).

After 32 years of working with ENTs and a couple years in smaller rehab and hearing centers, I took the bold step to open a solo practice. Today, I own a practice in a rural area of New Mexico dispensing amplification through traditional hearing aids and cochlear implants employing computers, test boxes, and other electronics!

My advice: just keep going... the ride will have its ups and downs but watching someone be able to hear again never gets old!