131 - Audiologist, Inventor and Private Practice Owner: Interview with Dr. Dan Schumaier

This week, Bob Traynor sits down with Dan Schumaier, PhD, the founder of Ear Technology Corporation. He is the inventor of several products in use today in the hearing industry, including the Dry N Store hearing aid dryer and he currently holds about 400 patents worldwide. Dr. Schumaier was one of the very first audiologists in the country to dispense hearing aids and has run a successful private in Johnson City Tennessee for over 40 years.

He got interested in audiology after serving as a medic during the Vietnam period and studying with renowned audiologist, Dr. Jerry Northern. He received his master's from Washington University in St. Louis and his PhD from Michigan State University. Dr. Schumaier helped start the graduate audiology program at East Tennessee State University but soon realized he did not like the bureaucracy of academia and went into private practice. He started doing diagnostics, hearing aids, and industrial hearing conservation, which was still a rare combination at the time. He decided to break the norms and took the risk of doing what he believed was right. Over the years, his private practice has grown to be one of the largest in the country. Today, he continues to innovate and contribute to the industry with his inventions and expertise.

Dr. Schumaier has also recently begun a podcast series, Boost Your Own Business (BYOB) to provide tips and strategies for audiologists to improve their practice, specifically in increasing sales and bringing patients back into the office and help nurture a strong lasting relationship.

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