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Hearing Health & Wellness News
Sound Relief Tinnitus & Hearing Center Quarterly Newsletter | Spring 2024
Food for Thought
With the start of 2024 members of the Sound Relief team have been spending Friday mornings volunteering their time with Food for Thought in Denver. Food for Thought is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to eliminating weekend childhood hunger by providing a bag of non-perishable food. 
This bag will feed a family of four. Every Friday volunteers gather to fill a PowerSack. Food for Thought started helping 2 schools and now are helping 75 in the Denver area. If you’re ever looking to kick off your weekend on a high note, sign up and give a helping hand. Foodforthoughtdenver.org
Caring Cases for Foster Kids
Members of our insurance team – Amy, controller and Taylor, 
Insurance Specialist partnered with Moms On a Mission (MOM’s), a nonprofit charity based near St. Louis, to prepare Caring Cases for foster children. Did you know that when a child in the foster care system moves placement, they are most often given a trash bag to move their belongings? MOM’s has provided nearly 400 Sweet Caring Cases to children in the foster care system. Each case is hand-decorated by a loving sponsor and filled with items like a coloring book, crayons, a blanket, a personal hygiene kit, a stuffed animal, and socks! They lovingly serve the homeless, foster children and families, veterans, low-income families, disabled people, and the elderly.
Ear Trivia
brought to you by Dr. Sarah Pitrone
10 M-ear-aculous things about ears!
1. Most people are right ear dominant because it has a more direct path to the auditory cortex in the brain.
2. Ears are as unique as fingerprints and have been considered as alternatives to facial recognition technology in mobile devices.
3. The smallest bones in the body are located in the middle ear. These bones would fit on a pencil eraser!
4. The hearing organ, the cochlea, is so small it would fit on a pinky fingernail!
We Love Referrals!
Referrals are the greatest compliment you can give us!
Welcome Our New Audiologists
Dr. Brandi Greenhouse
Highlands Ranch – Colorado
Brandi Greenhouse earned her undergraduate degree from Metropolitan State College of Denver (2008) and her Doctorate of Audiology (Au.D.) from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, Louisiana (2015). Dr. Greenhouse sees patients in the Highlands Ranch, CO office.
Dr. Greenhouse was inspired to join the field of Audiology by her aunt who has been an Audiologist for nearly 30 years. Her desire to work in the healthcare industry and help people is what drew her to the profession. She is passionate and dedicated to improving the quality of life for her patients through exceptional hearing healthcare.
Dr. Greenhouse is a Colorado native, and while she misses Louisiana and the wonderful people, music, and food, she is grateful to be back in her home state. When she is not working, she spends her time with her son, husband, cats, her dog, and her chickens. She enjoys hiking, biking, camping, off-roading, and creating music with her family.
Dr. Brandi Greenhouse
Dr. Gabriela Perez-Saenz
CENTENNIAL & CHERRY CREEK – COLORADO
Dr. Gabriela Perez-Saenz is deeply committed to improving the lives of those with hearing loss, a passion sparked by her mother’s struggle with Meniere’s Disease. Through her work, she strives to offer exceptional care to individuals facing communication and hearing difficulties.
Originally from Las Cruces, New Mexico, Dr. Perez-Saenz earned her undergraduate degree from New Mexico State University and her Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Utah. Her journey in audiology began during graduate school, where she gained valuable experience in patient care and hearing device technology. She also volunteered with the Starkey Hearing.
Dr. Perez-Saenz lives in Aurora, Colorado, with her husband, her son, and her two Golden Retrievers. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, traveling, and exploring Colorado in her free time.
Dr. Gabriela Perez-Saenz
An Inside Look at Sound Relief: Scottsdale
By Dr. Madison Brown
I’m Dr. Madison Brown, and I joined the Sound Relief family in May 2023 at our Scottsdale location. From the moment I met the owners, Dr. Julie and Patrick Prutsman, I knew they had cultivated something truly exceptional: an organization committed to greatness through innovation, teamwork, family values, community engagement, and integrity. What struck me most was the collective commitment to excellence. I witnessed each member of the team not only fulfilling their responsibilities but doing so with genuine enthusiasm. The atmosphere of joy and dedication within the Sound Relief family resonated deeply with me, prompting my decision to join their ranks. The leadership’s devotion to fostering a positive culture is evident, with every team member fully supported in their personal and professional aspirations.
The faith that Sound Relief placed in me fuels my determination to extend the same level of care and opportunity to our patients. At our Scottsdale location, our primary objective is to see the potential in everyone who walks through our door and extend positive impact through our expertise, compassion, and support. Leading the charge at the front desk is Franchesca, our Patient Care Coordinator. Her reliability and dedication ensure that our patients receive the assistance and information they need. Her passion for our patients’ well-being is unmistakable, reflected in her tireless efforts and the occasional treat of her homemade desserts, which never fail to delight.
Among our team, you’ll also find Layla, our Audiology Assistant, who has been an integral part of the Scottsdale office since 2019. Her familiar face is a source of comfort for many patients. When she extends her expertise to our other Arizona offices, patients inquire about her whereabouts, eager to reconnect. Her role as Team Lead perfectly complements her commitment to teamwork, evident in every aspect of her efforts.
Sound Relief isn’t just a workplace; it’s a community dedicated to enhancing lives through compassionate care and unwavering support. I am privileged to be a part of this remarkable team, where every day is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients.
Thank you for allowing me to share my journey with you.
Ear Trivia
brought to you by Dr. Sarah Pitrone
5. Earwax might look dirty but it’s actually a natural cleaning mechanism for the ear.
6. The human ear can detect sound waves from 20Hz through 20,000 Hz.
7. Ears are always actively listening, even when you’re asleep!
8. Sound changes from mechanical energy to electrical energy when fluid movement in the ear makes the cochlear hair cells “sheer” as they connect to the tectonic membrane.
9. The inner ear contains two types of fluid, endolymph and perilymph.
10. The cochlea is tonotopically organized with hair cells layed out in order from high frequency to low frequency, just like a piano!
Hearing Joke
By Valerie
“Why can’t your earlobe be 12 inches long?”
Because then it would be a foot!
Important Updates & Reminders!
ARIZONA
Scottsdale Office Is Moving This Summer
While we do not have an exact date yet, we will be moving to a new location over the summer. Most likely late June or early July, but we will keep you posted. As the crow flies, it is less than 3 miles from our current location. It is just east of the 101 and south of Shea Blvd. It is really close to Chompie’s restaurant if you love their food as much as we do!
Walk-in Hours For Scottsdale – Fridays Only (9:00am-12:00pm)
Please Note
We are unable to do wax removal or Lyric during walk-in hours. Walk-in hours will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis and may require a wait time, depending on demand. If you have an issue outside of walk-in hours, please call ahead, and we will do our best to work you into our schedule. If you have any questions about walk-in hours, just give us a call.
Updated Walk-in Hours For Highlands Ranch – Fridays Only (8:30am-12:30pm)
Please Note
We are unable to do wax removal or Lyric during walk-in hours. Walk-in hours will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis and may require a wait time, depending on demand. If you have an issue outside of walk-in hours, please call ahead (720) 344-7600, and we will do our best to work you into our schedule.
Pups
In The Office
PCC Natalie’s pup, our friendly greeter, Tuscon
Dr. Abby & PCC Trista’s pup, Jackson getting work done
Layla’s pup, Paris ready to play
Fundraiser Night
Dine to Donate at
Texas Roadhouse
We’re so happy to share the success of our most recent collaboration with the American Tinnitus Association (ATA) and the Texas Roadhouse family of restaurants for the third consecutive year. Dine to Donate was held on February 5th and marked the beginning of Tinnitus Awareness Week 2024, February 5-9.
Together with Texas Roadhouse and its affiliate, Bubba’s 33, we joined hands to shed light on tinnitus, its diverse impacts on individuals, available management strategies, and the crucial aspect of prevention.
The charitable event, held in memory of Texas Roadhouse founder Kent Taylor, who had severe tinnitus, raised $925,000 for the ATA. This is the largest corporate donation the ATA has received to date.
Here are some highlights from the event:
- Nationwide support: Across the country, individuals came together to dine in or order take-out from their nearest Texas Roadhouse or Bubba’s 33 locations on February 5, contributing to the cause.
- Online support: Those unable to join in person had the opportunity to contribute by purchasing ATA-branded gift cards for Texas Roadhouse through March 31 at texasroadhouse.com, with 10% of online sales donated to the ATA.
We’re proud to have been a part of this meaningful event, which not only raised awareness about tinnitus but also generated vital funds for research and support programs. As a company committed to providing relief and support for those experiencing tinnitus, partnering with organizations like the ATA aligns perfectly with our mission. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this important cause. Together, we can continue to make strides in understanding and managing tinnitus.
Q&A with Dr. Bomina Kang
By PCC Mary Azo
1. Can you share with us what inspired you to pursue a career in Audiology?
I’ve always known I wanted to offer patient care services in a private practice. I love that I can build closer relationships with my patients and tailor my services to meet their specific needs. And I love Audiology because it offers a fascinating blend of science, technology, and human interaction, making my job even more fulfilling!
Dr. Bomina Kang
2. Are there any particular patient cases or experiences that have left a lasting impact on you?
It’s truly remarkable to witness patients who were once held back from living life to the fullest by tinnitus or hearing loss rediscover their vitality and zest for life.
3. What do you enjoy doing outside of work to recharge and relax?
4. What places have you lived?
- Born in S Korea
- Lived in Vancouver Canada for 6.5 years
- Grew up in Colorado
- Moved to AZ in 2021
5. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from a family member, and how has it impacted your life or career?
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received from a family member is: “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” Prioritizing kindness and empathy in all interactions has allowed me to build meaningful relationships, both personally and professionally.
Device
Trouble Shooting
- The most common cause of device failure is debris. (i.e., wax, moisture, dead skin cells) in the sound port of the device.
- If you are using technology that incorporates a wax trap or filter, we have several videos on our YouTube channel to walk you through cleaning and/or changing this filter.
- Another common challenge – which is also a great feature with most devices – is pairing Bluetooth and app controls. We recently made new videos specific to each of the manufacturers to help guide you through this process.
Are your hearing aids over 3 years-old?
Schedule a new hearing technology demo & trial.