Saturday, November 8, 2025
When it comes to hearing healthcare, one size does not fit all. It’s important to find a provider that prioritizes understanding each person’s unique experience and figuring out what will truly make their life better. Whether it’s a child hearing clearly in the classroom or a grandparent reconnecting with loved ones, the team at Ear Works Audiology works closely with patients of all ages to support their goals, answer their questions and walk with them every step of the way.
“Hearing loss is a very individualized disorder,” explains Dr. Anne Capogna, audiologist with Ear Works Audiology. “People can have the exact same level of hearing loss and have very, very different experiences with it…so, as an audiologist, our first job is to diagnose the level of the hearing loss. But then we really spend a lot of time working one-on-one with our patients to see how this hearing loss is impacting their life and what their situations they have the most difficulty with.”
That means looking beyond the hearing test to understand how hearing loss affects each patient’s day-to-day life — whether it’s difficulty at work, missing out on conversations or losing confidence in social situations. “We strive to improve their quality of life through better hearing,” Dr. Capogna says.
Empowerment through education and empathy
For many people, especially those experiencing hearing loss for the first time, walking into an audiologist’s office can be overwhelming. Dr. Capogna prioritizes creating a safe and supportive space to uncover the “why” behind each visit. “There’s definitely a level of empathy one must have when working with a patient with hearing loss,” she says. “There’s a level of vulnerability to explain why you need help…that’s why I’m very vocal in encouraging my patients to give me as much feedback as possible. The more the patient shares about their hearing difficulties, the better I can assist and improve their communication goals.”
Follow up appointments, she emphasizes, are often more valuable than the consult. “It is during these appointments, that we can really fine tune the hearing aid to meet all of our patients' needs. During this time, it also allows us to make sure everything feels right,” Dr. Capogna explains.
At follow-up visits, adjustments are made so everything feels comfortable and natural, helping patients get the very best out of their hearing experience. This ongoing relationship ensures that patients are active participants in their hearing journey. “Helping [patients] is the most important part of my day,” Dr. Capogna says.
Audiological testing for all ages
Ear Works Audiology provides hearing care for patients of every age. All testing methods are tailored to individual needs, no matter the age of the patient. For children, they use engaging and reliable techniques, such as visual reinforcement audiometry. In this method, little ones are gently taught to respond to sounds in a fun and interactive way, making the experience both effective and comfortable. Older children and adults typically undergo standard hearing tests, adjusted to their ability to focus. For older adults, annual hearing evaluations are recommended.
Hearing health can be influenced by factors such as medications, changes in memory or other health concerns. To support patients in their later years, they not only provide routine testing and hearing aid care, but they also offer in-person visits at select assisted living facilities at no cost to the residents. Every patient is unique, and the Ear Works Audiology team meets each patient at their comfort level to ensure the best possible results.
Truly patient-centered
One thing that sets Ear Works Audiology apart is its unwavering commitment to patient-centered care, even in difficult situations. Dr. Capogna recalls a memorable moment with a cognitively impaired older woman who arrived alone and was ready to purchase hearing aids out-of-pocket. Something felt off.
“I called her son and I said, ‘I’m uncomfortable taking money from your mother because I’m not 100% sure she is positive about what's going on right now,’” she remembers. “She did not understand she was making a purchase… She was embarrassed that she was confused. And I picked up on it and I called him.” That level of care is at the heart of what Ear Works does. “We are an extremely patient-centered company,” she says. “Our patients are usually with us for years… I know most of their stories about what their kids do, what they do on their weekends and their favorite baseball team.”
Looking ahead with innovation
The future is bright for hearing healthcare, especially with artificial intelligence on the horizon. “One of the major innovations that are coming into hearing aids is the use of AI,” says Dr. Capogna. “It definitely has a lot of potential in terms of speech and noise clarity…the manufacturers are really starting to utilize AI in order to train the hearing aid.”
Still, at the core of it all remains the human connection. “It’s not just the device,” she says. “It’s the device plus the care you receive from one of our audiologists that creates a patient's success. The partnership between myself and my patient is what really is improving the quality of life.” At the end of the day, it’s not just about better hearing — it’s about better living. At Ear Works Audiology, that journey always starts with listening.
For more information on Ear Works Audiology, visit https://earworksaudiology.com/.
