DrCliffAuD VLOG 022 | Done with Audiology

DrCliffAuD VLOG 022 | Done with Audiology. Dr. Cliff Olson, Audiologist and founder of Applied Hearing Solutions in Phoenix Arizona, discusses the threat of disruption to the Hearing Aid Industry and the future of Audiology.
FX-322 Video: • The First CURE for Hea...
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[@danev1969]

This is why so many of us recommend our friends with hearing issues to watch your videos before they go out to get hearing aids. Thanks.

[@bobeld1]

What a positive attitude. What really impresses me is your willingness to accept that new technologies may change the hearing loss industry and that you are flexible about changing (or even completely giving up) the way you treat patients. I finally got my stimulus check and am awaiting a copy of my audiogram from my ENT before I call and make an appointment. Thanks.

[@bobfranklin1465]

Doctor Cliff please don’t get out of the business. I watch you on KZbin and have learned a lot the the different types of hearing loss and the different aids to help in that loss. There’s a lot to be learned KEEP UP THE VLOGS!! 🙏

[@laurau1778]

I’m extremely optimistic about FX -322. Smart people evolve, pivot, adjust and thrive as you will.

[@connectorpens]

So am I incvredible results have been bought out thus far. Feel that long term that they will get it right and actually proceed further with this. To date I have a positive anf also hopeful idea they tend to know how to treat that they just need now to get it well administered as to provide effective and deeper treatment. Think this will become a thing soon.

[@alanfox8325]

One of the worst things a young person could do is get locked into a career and at least not plan for what if I were no longer able to do that type of work. I personally know first hand the feeling of “now what?” when I was not able to do what I had done in the past and had to reinvent myself. If your career requires both hands and you lose one, what now? Good eyesight, the ability to travel, good hearing, any or all of these could be gone in the blink of an eye. I advise kids all of the time to at least think of a plan “B”, get a good education, they cannot take the knowledge that you have obtained away from you. Thank you for your open and informative videos.

[@DrCliffAuD]

I don't think it's wrong to go 100% All-In on a specific profession, however, maintaining the ability to pivot based on your inherent strengths is very important. Much appreciative for your support.

[@heelerboy]

Your videos are a great public service in my opinion. Thank you

[@youngyoung7220]

THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING UP!❤️. Profit over people is the downfall of our healthcare system. Proud to see someone in my future profession (current AuD grad student) take this stance. Our goal should always be in the best interest of our patients and NOT our pockets. If people don't agree with that, they shouldnt be in the healthcare field.

[@DrCliffAuD]

You just have to make sure you keep that same perspective when you have to repay $100k+ in student loan debt. If you take a job as an audiologist at a clinic that does not provide comprehensive Best Practices then you are putting your paycheck over your patients. Just food for thought. Thanks for your support! 🙏

[@youngyoung7220]

@@DrCliffAuD Absolutely. Definitely not looking forward to paying my student debt and I can understand why this could cloud someone's judgement about what is most important, but I don't want the decision I made in choosing this profession to affect the people I serve, my integrity, and the quality of care that all patients deserve. Keep up the awesome videos 👍🏿

[@ricknelson947]

Exactly Dr Cliff. Through the 1990’s I worked in the Paging infrastructure industry. I still remember the day in 1996, I was shown an article about what is now called texting on your cell phone. That was the writing on the wall that gave me the motivation I needed to move away from what I thought was a safe stable job. I used my skills to make it in other parts of the wireless data industry and have learned to embrace and use change as opportunities and not a brick wall. Doctors with your type of view will always be needed and will always be successful.

[@DrCliffAuD]

Thanks Rick. Glad to see you have the same exact perspective that I do. 👍

[@lcarliner]

Back in the early eighties when the beeper industry was fairly new. Vibrating pagers was one of the newest devices. Back in 1974, then CIA head, William Colby, had the agency’s electronic lab devise a vibrating device so he could be decreetly summoned will at a dinner party. In the early eighties, the data services company I was employed with was shopping for pages for equipping the staff. A lady sales representative was making a sales call with product samples. I startled here when a jokingly suggested that there should be male and female versions of the devices!

[@modex20]

The field of audiology at its core is the study of human hearing. There will always be a need for that. FX-322, if it works, would just be another tool in your kit. We still need audiologists to evaluate patients and determine treatment. And if FX-322 is the treatment, we still need you to administer it. The hearing aid corporations need to adapt to new technology. If they resist it, they will end up like Kodak when the digital camera came out.

[@DrCliffAuD]

Totally agree, except ENTs will administer it not Audiologists.

[@geocape7060]

This is a really good video doc. Of course I pray for the day that I could hear without hearing aids again but I like you think it will be a long time before that happens. In the meantime hearing devices get better and better and that is a good thing. No matter what profession you would get into doc you would be great in it because you're personable , intelligent and everyone loves you.

[@DrCliffAuD]

Thanks geo. You're too nice!

[@cowboysrule931]

Well said. I have to admit when i read the first read the title of this blog, i thought ooooh sh*t , he is quitting Audiology! Whew i am glad you are not. It took me 5 years to find you. I am happy to see that you are still gonna be my audiologist and continue to help and educate the public about good professional and ethical practices in treating hearing loss.

[@TheSocialGloo]

Hello Dr. Cliff I come from the music industry. Working with stores that sold vinyl, CDs and music DVDs. May of those stores went out of business because of iTunes and internet sales. The damage I see from people buying hearing ads online and from places like Walmart is they buy only to be disappointed and give up that there is a solution for them. AAA and other organizations need to get behind a public education about these devices and who they are for and who they won't work for. It would be great if there was AAA approved devices! Thank you for your videos they do a great job but so much more needs to be done!

[@Teresa4212]

Well said, dr. Cliff. There's always a way to contribute to the well-being of others.

[@sharathganesh1161]

We all are praying.... Please help tinnitus sufferers.... Including me am from india, Kerala..... Only hope is you sir......

[@zebragiraffe1]

There are studies showing that gingko biloba supplementation for at least 12 weeks have helped research study participants get relief from tinnitus. If you can get a good clean source of gingko biloba supplements it may be worth a try. Gingko apparently helps with blood circulation that helps the body in many functions. You may want to research other options such as magnesium and vitamin B complex, especially B12. Our food supply is not always the best source of vitamins and minerals as much of our soils are depleted of nutrition and because of all the processing and chemicals.

[@lojanenada5512]

We need more audiologists like you. Thank you for what you said!

[@user-vh9jg3cb3o]

Sure wish I lived in Phoenix Arizona I'd be at your doorstep the next day! You sure make sence out of the hearing aid industry as there is so much disinformation out there. Keep up with the Video's

[@lenafeddersen81]

You are so inspiring, I have the same passion for Audiologie and I share your opinions about the development in this industry. Lets enjoy the ride as long as it takes and keep up the good work. There will always be a place for good people like you, in this industry or, later or sooner in another! Best whishes for you!

[@ThoughtFission]

Very refreshing to see this.

[@DavidSL2H]

There will be other hearing loss causes that cannot be treated by FX-322, people that just don't want ear injections, probably dozens of reasons why some people won´t want / can use FX-322, so surely audiologists still will have a job. Now, it is pathetic that any given industry is not only trying to stop (mitigate is a total euphemism) progress, but actually not allow people to cure and gain a better quality of life, these attitudes almost deserve a violent response, are just horrifying.

[@mikelove9832]

Thanks ! It nice to see good in someone today ! Straight Ahead

[@DrCliffAuD]

Thanks Mike!

[@boomerrangerron]

Cliff great attitude and I’m sure you’ll have a fairly long run in your existing business!

[@DrCliffAuD]

Thanks as always Ron!

[@thewanderer577]

I think your career is safe! Definitely appreciate the realistic perspective however.

[@CharlesMichaelSidwell]

Exactly. An audiologist needs to be still be in business to test people's hearing and offer advice. Perhaps even prescribe the medication to help with hearing loss or tinnitus.

[@DrCliffAuD]

I appreciate that.

[@connectorpens]

@@CharlesMichaelSidwell This there's totally no way we can come close to determining if someone needs FX322 /the other therapies that treat it without knowing that there is a problem put forward in the beginning.

[@joerotondo5705]

Great piece, Dr. Cliff. I think you would STILL never run out of patience even if there was a cure. Maybe schools would have less people enrolled in Audiology but you and the audiologists out there today, your jobs are secure. Have you looked into Cold Laser Light therapy? I know it works on joints and muscles. I haven't found too much on hearing usage. Thanks, Joe R.

[@phdr754]

Right on , brother.

[@wisdom603]

great work !

[@blackembers7887]

Honestly I commend you for not being a hypocrit, these companies claim to want to help you with hearing yet they want to prevent cures and treatments because it effects their bottom line. It's terrible and I'm glad you want to help people.

[@DrCliffAuD]

Thanks Black Embers. Ultimately, if a company has to ask what to do to mitigate disruption, then you probably don't have to worry about them.

[@mrsjtm]

So sad! Would want nothing more than a cure for my baby girl. Thanks for your perspective Dr Cliff!!

[@DrCliffAuD]

I think she'll see it in her lifetime. Fingers crossed

[@mrsjtm]

Thank you, fingers crossed ! 🤞🏻

[@ahsanmalik1013]

I hope FX-322 works because it will work out at better outcome for all of us especially since we are dealing with greedy companies that sets inflated prices albeit on the market that doesn't offer much. But that doesn't mean it is end of audiology. I have learned one thing in life that somehow they get streamlined one way or other as we evolve around the fast-paced technogical worlds but that being said, the monopoly companies will not be sitting idly given the history. If FX-322 succeeds then that doesn't mean you no longer deserve to have the job of audiologist. You joined the industry to improve the lifestyle and make the worlds better place. You will still be doing that in certain fields that can improve people's lifestyle and make the world better place. With government grants and clinical discount, I sill ended up forking 6k CAN for Oticon OPN S1 rechargeable. And with the improvement of hearing aids in terms of technological advance, the price will go higher and higher - to the point that we won't be able to afford at all. So it is imperative that FX-322 works for all of us. But that doesn't mean it is end of you - rather it is new beginning and might be better than you could imagine. Don't lose hope in the uncertainty fate. With the good people like you, that is always needed in the worlds that is work in progress.

[@DrCliffAuD]

I will say the the top tier of hearing aids has remained relatively unchanged for over a decade. I would assume that this would remain to be true as time progresses. That being said, I do feel like we need a drug like FX-322 to slow down the progression of the hearing loss epidemic.

[@ahsanmalik1013]

Doctor Cliff, AuD But the price for top tier evolves as the technology advances. Right now, we are talking about 8-10k price for top tier which addresses main core issues for hearing are hardly luxurious category as you expect from the cars. To get best possible hearing, you need to pay the top dollars. And that is downright robbery.

[@DrCliffAuD]

@@ahsanmalik1013 Not necessarily. I have seen studies where "entry level devices" provided no measurable difference in performance compared to top tier. If you are paying 8-10k you are going to a very expensive clinic in my opinion that must be providing you with FANTASTIC White Glove service as well.

[@ahsanmalik1013]

Doctor Cliff, AuD I have been wearing entry levels for the last 12 years and they were no helpful. Compared to top tiers, they lagged behind as I have tried top tier hearing aids recently and changed my life for better, Alhamdulillah. I hear better than before. Met some new people frequently who still don’t know or haven’t felt I had hearing loss nor they knew i had hearing aids inside in my ears looks so small and hideous. Top tier makes huge difference. With the government grants and clinics discount, I was able to afford 6k CAN barely. But I understood that top tier is necessary as you get the most of it in order to survive and excel compared to entry levels that falls short on many things and makes it harder to deal with the challenges. Top tier hearing aids should be sold as affordable since hearing aids borders on technological advances, not luxurious vibe that are flashy or colourful gizmo with leathers. The only services you get at clinic are simply servicing hearing aids that either provides cleaning services or tinkering with hearing aids to amplify in order to get the fullest to the possible - nothing fancy about it.

[@sfrink1425]

I just wish you would have put a "?" after the title of the video; you had me scared there for a minute!

[@DrCliffAuD]

lol, got you to watch didn't it?

[@ccandia2636]

He got me too. I clicked to watch so fast! 😄

[@sfrink1425]

Nasty click-bait!

[@kartgal]

Regeneration of hair cells is not a matter of if it will happen, but a matter of when.

[@dinkuaiims]

I am sure that you will be much happier if there comes a prospect of curing your own hearing loss, than to be successful in hearing aid industry for your entire career and to be living with hearing loss.

[@DrCliffAuD]

Totally agree.

[@elisagrossi9973]

You are a beautiful Person , go work for fx322 and frequency. Se all wait for It. God bless you!!

[@milosdjurdjevic2820]

Hi, really like your videos. Very informative and well presented. You do it in popular, easily understood manner. I don't want you to think that I missed topic, so left my question about Resound Multi-mic on that particular video from 2018. Not sure if you answer the question on these older ones, so had to ask you here to, please, refer to the question on "ReSound Multi-Mic Review", posted on 15/02/2018, if you can. Answer either here or there will work for me. Thanks

[@elisagrossi9973]

They Always wanted to stop It , It s now time for people suffering to live again. God bless you !

[@shagwellington]

This is the first I have heard of FX-322. It sounds like a miracle. I've been living with dead hair cells in my right ear for 60 years. Maybe it's too late for me but it would be amazing to get some hearing back from a drug.

[@Tfichtenbaum]

Just because there is a treatment doesnt mean people would need to stop going tp see medical professionals , it may not cure all types of hearing loss , or work for everyone , we will still need doctors like you . Also i am sure doctors in your posistion would love this for people to help them , there is a huge cost to helping people with hearing loss and people get the care they need because its out of reach so they use subpar hearing aids or none at all .

[@DrCliffAuD]

True, I still believe there would be a need for audiologists who fit into the post "cure" world of hearing care.

[@kartgal]

Audiologists will be needed to evaluate who is a candidate for hair cell regeneration and to evaluate how effective the treatment is (once it starts existing lol)

[@bamafaninky861]

I was able to get assistance in Kentucky through 'Vocational Rehabilitation' to purchase hearing aids. Great service. Can you do a video on this potential service?

[@DrCliffAuD]

I touch base on Voc Rehab in a previous video, but not very in depth. Each state is soooo different when it comes to Voc Rehab that it would be difficult to make a universal video on. I'll see what I can do.

[@noname-ld8jv]

You still can do some diagnostic tests and diagnose patients with hearing problems, I mean it's not all about hearing devices or how to restore hearing for those with sensorineural hearing loss, if we take a look to how optemetry profession has developed over years, we can see optermtrist walked from our model to a very new model Where they can prescribe some medications and do minor surgeries, even though there are surgeries out there to restore vision, they still have something to do, cause those surgeries mostly will not work with everyone.. And we as a hearing care professionals could be able to prescribe these hearing medications in future , we are th ones who know people's hearing better than anyone else.

[@DrCliffAuD]

I do agree that there will be some role for audiologists in the "post-cure" era of hearing loss. Just not sure what that looks like yet.

[@lcarliner]

What the hearing aid industry should consider doing is to transition to guiding state of the art noise cancelling protective headphone or earphone devices!

[@yunesboutaybi6213]

hello doctor do you think we are very close for the cure of tinnitus thank you very much

[@TK-zc5wu]

I doubt u need to worry, if and when this fantastic thing becomes available, it will probably be out of reach to most of us at first,

[@jaredcharney8540]

I might be getting surgery for a the Med-El implant for single-sided hearing but should I wait if this can cure the hearing loss?

[@DrCliffAuD]

Not sure I would bank on the FX-322. Remember, it is still in Phase 1/2 of FDA clinical trials and hasn't shown to improve hearing thresholds dramatically....yet.

[@billyshears921]

I sense an element of competition between Frequency Therapeutics with FX-322 and Sound Pharmaceuticals with SPI-1005. If I'm right, competition breeds innovation and lower prices. Perhaps this "cure" is within reach but it would have to include success at re-growing outer ear hair cells, correct me if I'm wrong.

[@kartgal]

Audiologists will be needed once there is a cure for hearing loss (see my other comment) but in the event that they weren’t needed, I fully agree that I should need to find a new career where I am needed.

[@kartgal]

Also, Having a degree in audiology would make you valuable to many other types of professions. There’s some jobs that require any kind of degree, not a specific one.

[@connectorpens]

@@kartgal Put well. Was going to suggest someone could work in many other areas like sound technician or audiovisual production quite easily or otherwise go into other direct disciplines of medicine maybe like ear maintenance and cleaning.

[@jimivy6019]

I am beginning to think that it might be worth moving to Arizona just to be near to a professional Like Dr. Cliff.

[@95BLUERAY]

I really want this drug soo badly yet it hurts to see that people may lose there jobs but we'll never know what will happen lets just stay positive

[@rb4551]

Amazing way to look at it. I wish more people would think like that. Basically its the equivalent of a kid stalling to go to bed with every excuses and tantrum as they can think of....but they always end up going to bed anyways...it just takes longer. Maybe its a bad analogy but I feel like nomatter what, technology will advance and those who resist just potentially delay the inevitable instead of making the best of it for themselves and others.

[@DrCliffAuD]

Good analogy. You can try to avoid the inevitable, but ultimately, the writing is on the wall.

[@kartgal]

They want to mitigate a drug that could cure hearing loss? That is so disgusting to me

[@bobshaw4063]

Doctor Cliff do you wear hearing aids for your hearing loss ?

[@DrCliffAuD]

No Bob. I attempted for 6 months to get a hearing aid to provide me with benefit in my right ear for my cookie bite loss. However, no luck yet.

[@felipeedu7980]

Knew you from tinnitus talk. Nice to hear that you want people to hear better!

[@CharlesMichaelSidwell]

A drug that regrows hair cells... Seems too good to be true. I wonder if that would help with my constant 24/7 tinnitus. Is this the same co. that is working on a tinnitus drug?

[@DrCliffAuD]

Check out my video on OTO-313

[@jimcrow85]

Check FX 322 by Frequency Therapeutics

[@itsraylam]

DON"T FORGET SIDE EFFECTS.

[@DrCliffAuD]

Agree. Thus far, there have been no identifiable side effects.

[@jorgef7250]

So do you think Fx-322 isn't a top contender for curing/reducing hearing loss? Even the initial trials showed tons of promise. There's supposed to be a conference on the 4th discussing their current findings, and I would love to hear your thoughts on it when the new results come out.

[@DrCliffAuD]

FX-322 showed some promise with Word Recognition (WRS) speech understanding improvement, but not with pure tone thresholds (except for a few improvements at 8kHz). Until they show significant pure tone threshold improvement, it will not be a solution to replace hearing aids.

[@jorgef7250]

@@DrCliffAuD So sorry to ask but what exactly does this mean? From what I think to understand does this mean that low frequency (such as bass) would be restored however high frequency hearing loss would remain the same? So I could hear more just not as clear? Also would this drug effectively cure whooshing/windy tinnitus? And how long do you think this drug (or a competitor) would be able to restore higher hearing? I'm sorry for all the questions, my tinnitus has progressed to a point of near disability and this drug is my one hope at the moment. It would be great if you could maybe explain in depth on a video. Thanks!

[@connectorpens]

@@jorgef7250 Think that the higher frequencies from memory would get restored first the lower ones later. Like 20000hz is at a top point on the cochlear and also 20hz is right at the other end. Expect that one of the issues that they have so far is getting gel going all the way through the cochlear. Currently the testing results though has been basically only on a small subset safety was the only thing tested (that means that although some results released they tended to be checking for no effects of a negative nature. ) Now next phase 2a is around checking for the total success of the product to see if it works well and shall result in improvements.

[@doubletheduckk]

can you make a video for ppl considering audiology as a career

[@wesfloyd6040]

Always have to ask the question; what are the side effects? Acoustic neuromas? Too much cell growth?

[@nounix]

Your views, at least in theory now that the drug is not available, are very honorable. However, there are professionals who are 100% invested in this work, and reply on it for an income to feed their families, who are (or will be at the time that FX-322 or another drug that does work in curing hearing loss) too old - near the end of their careers - to find another profession to provide for themselves and their families should/when this cure is available to (and affordable for) everyone. (*Note, I am not one of them). For them, this cure would be a disaster for them and their families. But that's just life. They have no right, however, to try and stop/slow down cures that could be beneficial to millions of others. Younger people like yourself, and like anyone in any field that may become redundant by innovation, will need to be on a constant lookout for alternative professions (and amassing knowledge about them now) just in case that day comes.

[@mssmith3604]

No worries. Development of this drug has been discontinued.

[@Ukepa]

well said! I've seen computer devices become cheaper and cheaper and hearing devices NEVER get cheaper. Can't help but be suspicious.

[@kenbrown5183]

Who will be there to fix CURES GONE WRONG? Dr Cliff to the rescue! Pfft! “Done with audiology”.

[@DrCliffAuD]

😆

[@jasonRhawt]

as long as someone in the fda have hearing loss they are going full force with it

[@ldpranzy]

Are you on Strava? I struggle riding with my hard of hearing...wonder how can you ride with hearing aids...sweat and wind makes it impossible.

[@DrCliffAuD]

Not on Strava. I don't ride with tech. No power meter, speed, or heart rate anymore. Try EarGear when riding. They do a pretty solid job of keeping the sweat out, not so much wind, wind is tough.

[@randsipe224]

If you built buggies, why couldn’t you build model t wheels? One of the things that, in addition to improving my fearing, is the connection to my phone and iPad. Hearing aids arguing beyond being jus hearing aids. Like google glass, virtual reality etc. the possibilities are limitless.

[@zebaabid1500]

Why do ears itch

[@DrCliffAuD]

Ear wax, foreign objects, skin conditions, or just dry ears.

[@schavan00]

Please, be active on Instagram.

[@charleskirksey5907]

Hang in there you will be putting 322 in peoples ear's, some one will have to do it.

[@jimglidewell]

I think you are interpreting "mitigating" too negatively. For example, if hearing aids become completely unneeded, a hearing aid manufacturer who had taken steps to diversify (adding headphones or other audio devices, for example) would have mitigated the impact of that change on their company. My own uninformed guess is that even if this drug works, it will not eliminate the need for hearing aids - some people will see partial benefit, and some will not see any benefit at all. There certainly are "bad" mitigation strategies - like throwing regulatory or patent barriers in front of genuine progress. But I doubt that is what folks are really advocating... Thanks for your efforts - you are by far the best single resource on the net for hearing aid users and consumers.

[@fnurple3426]

Would you recommend someone become an audiologist today?

[@DrCliffAuD]

Depends on what you want out of a profession. If you're asking in terms of a stable profession that is worthy of investing 8 years of time to earn a degree. I would still say yes.

[@JimE6243]

Thanks, but at 77 I don't think I have enough time to wait for my hair cells to regenerate. I'll just have to stick with my Oticons so don't stop making videos just yet. 😁 JimE

[@bobshaw4063]

Jim do you like your OTICON hearing aids ? I tried OTICONS at a local hearing aid center I liked them as they had a better sound so I liked them better then my Starkey Hearing Aids .

[@JimE6243]

@@bobshaw4063 Bob, this is my first pair of hearing aid and ..........."yes" i like them. They came through the VA. After the audiologist did all of her testing she recommended the Oticon Opn 1. I did a lot of research before of brands and knew what they were all about. The VA audiologist was surprise I had a list of "intelligent" questions to ask about hearing aids. Most of my education on the subject came from watching Dr. Cliff. I think it paid off in the long run. I had NO break in period with the Oticons. I put them in the day they were issued and wear them 14-15 hours a day. I don't even know i have them in......................... until I don't. 😁 Sorry I can't compare them ot other brands. I'll leave that up to Dr. Cliff. I know they work for me. Thanks. JimE

[@bobshaw4063]

@@JimE6243 Do you have the open fit type of molds or solid molds? I have silicone molds with the receiver built in to the mold because the canals of my ears go straight up in to my head so I couldn't use the open fit molds .

[@JimE6243]

@@bobshaw4063 Bob, I have a set of custom molds but I have never used them. I use the Minifit Open or the Minifit Bass disposable ones. They just fit and are comfortable. And, no maintenance. JimE

[@DrCliffAuD]

LOL, thanks Jim. However, I still think there may be time for you.

[@KayeSeth]

Deaf culture feels very attacked