Hear it Here

1. Why did you become an Audiologist?

I became an audiologist because I knew from a young age that I wanted to help people in healthcare. My grandfather started our family in audiology in the 1950s by taking apart hearing aids at the kitchen table and helping people that could not hear well. My uncle took over his private practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan years later and recruited my mom to become a board certified hearing instrument specialist as well. At one time, there were seven members of my family all working in private practice audiology clinics! I was able to see first-hand how hearing devices could change a person’s whole personality and quality of life. This allowed me to realize that audiology was a perfect match for my interest in healthcare and making a difference in people’s lives!

2. Why Tinnitus? How did you develop the interest?

I was frustrated by not having any tools or knowledge to help patients complaining of ringing in their ears while I was a student in the University of Colorado’s Audiology Clinic. This prompted me to seek out more classes and training to understand tinnitus better. During my doctoral program, I met Dr. Pawel and Margaret Jastreboff, tinnitus urus that developed the Neurophysiologic Model of Tinnitus and who have committed their professional lives to treating patients using their model. I was fortunate to be able to attend one of their original Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) Workshops at Emory University in 2002. I started implementing TRT immediately and have seen thousands of lives improve ever since.

Sound Relief was started by my husband, Patrick, and myself in 2011 when I knew I wanted to continue my work focused on tinnitus and hearing loss in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. After interviewing with a large audiology group at the time and not agreeing with their business practices, I came home and convinced Patrick that we should start a practice from scratch ourselves. He could help me manage the business side of the practice so that I could focus on delivering patient care the way I was raised to with integrity, innovation, empathy, and teamwork. We started with one small office in Highlands Ranch with myself as the solo provider and Patrick was answering the phones and working the front desk. That lasted about a week, and we quickly realized we were going to need more support to help us grow the practice into what it is today.

Sound Relief was small but mighty in the beginning, as we were paving the way for tinnitus patients to receive life-changing treatment using Tinnitus Retraining Therapy instead of being told “go home and live with it.”. We were also innovative in being one of the first offices in Denver to fit the Lyric Extended Wear Hearing Device after I decided to invest in the training and inventory for this product to be an option in our practice. When we started to get booked out too far for new appointments in Highlands Ranch, we decided it was time to start expanding. Our motto back then that still remains today is, “We have to have the right people before we can open a new location”. In other words, although we knew we wanted to scale the business to reach more people in need, we did not want to grow too fast without the right people to help us in our mission. We also refused to compromise on being able to provide the Gold Standard in hearing healthcare, which remains true to this day.

Sound Relief will constantly examine future developments in theory and technology to provide the best treatment options for patients with hearing loss and tinnitus. In order to be confident that something new will actually provide benefit to our patients, we must be shown research behind these new developments and clinical data in real clinics prior to adopting the advancements ourselves. As more research continues in the realm of tinnitus and hearing loss, we are optimistic that some day we will be able to reverse these symptoms so that they no longer negatively impact the lives of our patients. Whether it is ultrasound technology, stem cell therapy, gene therapy, or some other development, Sound Relief will constantly strive to keep abreast of new ideas and ways to implement them into our treatment protocols both now and in the future.

My perfect Saturday starts with a healthy breakfast leading into a hike with my husband and dog, and then some relaxing time reading before doing something with our two kids, such as a family dinner or “movie night”. Most weekends during the summer are spent watching my daughter swim competitively, but we try to reserve the end of every summer for a memorable family vacation, typically to Virginia Beach (where Patrick grew up).

SCOTTSDALE & PEORIA – ARIZONA
We’re excited to introduce Dr. Kelly Hanscom, our newest team member at AZ Sound Relief Clinics! Originally from Maryland, Dr. Hanscom earned her Bachelor’s degree in Hearing and Speech Sciences and her Doctorate of Audiology (Au.D.) from the University of Maryland. Dr. Hanscom has a passion for helping patients with challenges related to traumatic brain injuries, auditory processing, and tinnitus. With over six years of experience working with active military and Veterans, she is a dedicated specialist in treating tinnitus and believes in comprehensive patient care. You can meet Dr. Hanscom at both our Peoria and Scottsdale offices, where she looks forward to providing personalized care to each patient. Outside of work, Dr. Hanscom loves spending time with her dog, Norman. Dr. Kelly also enjoys hiking, skiing, reading, and catching comedy shows in her free time.

GOLDEN – COLORADO
Brittany is a rare Colorado native, growing up in Littleton. She joined the Sound Relief team in early 2024. She has a love and desire to help people and enjoys her work family, she feels proud to be part of the Sound Relief community and team. Outside of work, she stays super busy as a mom of three boys with photographer work on the side!

1. Tell us about your journey through the different roles you have had at Sound Relief?

The support from my colleagues and the continuous learning opportunities have been pivotal in my journey. As a Patient Care Coordinator, I had the opportunity to directly interact with patients and understand their needs and concerns. This role was foundational, as it provided me with a deep appreciation for the patient experience and allowed me to develop an understanding of our patients’ needs and the challenges they face. As I pursued further education, I transitioned into an Audiology Assistant fueling my desire to make a more direct impact on our patients’ lives. This transition allowed me to apply my growing knowledge in practical settings, ultimately earning my doctorate. Each role taught me invaluable lessons and shaped my approach to patient care, and I look forward to continuing to grow within this incredible community.

2. Tell us one of your favorite patient successes?

My favorite success stories involve patients who have battled tinnitus for years and have repeatedly been told there is no solution. They often arrive feeling hopeless and skeptical. Working closely with these patients throughout their treatment and witnessing significant improvement in their symptoms is truly remarkable. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them reclaim their lives, regain their confidence, and enhance their quality of life.

3. What was something that surprised you about getting your doctorate?

One of the most surprising aspects of earning my doctorate was the depth of collaboration and support within the academic community. I expected the coursework and research to be challenging, but I didn’t anticipate the strong bonds I would form with my peers and mentors. I was pleasantly surprised by how my clinical experiences at Sound Relief enriched my understanding and application of theoretical concepts. Additionally, I was thrilled by the level of innovation and technology being integrated into audiology, which has exciting implications for the future of our field.

Having worked in the field, I had some expectations about the challenges and rewards of pursuing a doctorate. However, the experience exceeded my expectations. While I anticipated the rigorous academic workload and the difficulty of balancing work, life, and study, what I didn’t fully expect was the personal growth that came with it. Overall, the experience not only enhanced my professional capabilities but also fostered my personal development. Additionally, I did not expect the over- whelming support from my colleagues and patients throughout this journey, which was incredibly motivating and encouraging.