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Change Your Brain Every Day
The Neuroscience of Hearing: What You Don’t Hear Can Hurt Your Brain
00:47:21
In this must-listen episode, Dr. Amen and Tana Amen sit down with Brandon Salawich, President and CEO of Starkey, the largest U.S.-based hearing aid manufacturer, to explore the critical link between hearing and brain health. They uncover how hearing...
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- [00:00]
Brandon Salowicz
Whether it's a 12 year old boy, 14 year old girl, doesn't matter, or a mom, they've never heard, never heard sound. And you put a hearing aid in and you turn that volume on and you see, I mean, you see it in the eye. As I mentioned earlier, you see it in the eyes and I don't care who you are, you know, I'm not crying. You're crying. I mean, it's just forget it. Because they heard their child's voice for the first time, or they heard their mom or dad or somebody's voice for the first time. That makes it all worthwhile. I don't care what my title is, what I do, that's rewarding, that's why do what I do. And that's my favorite story is seeing that because it's addicting.
- [00:49]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Every day you are making your brain better or you are making it worse. Stay with us to learn how you can change your brain. Brain for the better every day in this week's episode on the Change your brain every Day podcast, Tana and I welcome Brandon Salowicz. Brandon is the CEO of Starkey, a world leader in manufacturing and delivering advanced hearing solutions. Hearing is key to our health and happiness. Being able to hear the people and world around us is as essential to the human experience as breathing. This episode will cover the continuous innovation of the science, design and production of hearing aids and brain health. I hope you enjoy this week's episode. Hi, I'm Dr. Daniel. Amen. I've experienced firsthand the powerful impact that proper supplementation can have on your brain, your body and your mind. That's why I founded Brain md. Our formulas are scientifically created from decades of clinical research designed to help you think clearer, feel better and improve every aspect of your health, whether it's brain and body power. Max, the same formula I used in the world's largest study of NFL players. TopOptimize brain performance to Happy Saffron to boost mood and memory and Pro Brain Biotics Max to improve the gut brain connection. BrainMD delivers the highest quality science backed solutions to help you think and feel better. Tana and I take many of our products every day and as a special offer just for our listeners, you can save 20%. On your next order, visit brainmd.com and use the code PODCAST20. With a better brain always comes a better life. Today on the podcast we're joined by Brandon Sewalic, the president and CEO of Starkey, a global leader in hearing innovation. I actually have their hearing aids in so I can hear Brandon's dedicated over 3:30 years to the hearing industry, leading Starkey's transformation into a pioneer of cutting edge technology with integrated sensors, AI and health solutions. And when I first met him, through Dave Asprey, Dave is actually on our board and I was complaining about my hearing because I hate saying what a lot. And he's like, yeah, Dr. Brandon. And we were actually in Yosemite park when we connected.
- [04:00]
Brandon Salowicz
That's right.
- [04:01]
Dr. Daniel Amen
And, you know, why are we talking about hearing on a brain podcast? Because hearing is one of the major functions of the brain, and when you don't hear, you miss a lot. And it's chronic stress.
- [04:22]
Tana Amen
And I would argue that it also affects relationships because. Sorry, just had to do it. No, seriously. I mean, not when you love someone and you can't, you know, you're not communicating clearly and it's, you know, you. Like, I know it's kind of funny, but I'll say something and you'll say, what? And then I'll say it again. And you'll say, what? I'll say it louder. And you say, what? And so I'll say it really loud. And then you're like, why are you yelling at me? And it's like this thing that we do, or he misses half of what I'm saying sometimes, and that's hard. And I think with a lot of people, it tends to maybe. I mean, for us, we're really good about communicating, but that can create some division, I think, for some people.
- [05:04]
Brandon Salowicz
Yeah. Part of the conversation I'd have is how many watts do you say a day?
- [05:08]
Tana Amen
Yeah.
- [05:08]
Brandon Salowicz
Because hearing is essential. Hearing is healthcare. And when, you know, what we provide is technology, that helps. When we talked and we were just brainstorming and calling you on your vacation, but you took the call and you were driving through Yosemite and just having the conversation, it's connects people with people. It is healthcare. And what we do is not just technology, but people think of hearing aids as a, you know, the hardware, the, you know, the device. And it's a misperception. It's a stigma.
- [05:43]
Dr. Daniel Amen
So for many years, it's why I didn't wear a hearing aid. It meant I was defective. It meant I was old. And it's an outside symbol, right, of illness.
- [05:59]
Brandon Salowicz
And you said you thought you were old and you're not. It helps you with your daily life, not just with relationships, but what you're doing professionally. Your family, your everything in life.
- [06:09]
Tana Amen
Like, I can't even tell you how, like, for me, I'm gonna make sure he Hears what I have to say, right? But the kids, I can't tell you how many times a day, they're like, never mind. And they walk away, Right? That's not, you know, that's not helpful in a relationship.
- [06:21]
Brandon Salowicz
And over time, you don't even know you're doing it.
- [06:23]
Tana Amen
Right.
- [06:24]
Brandon Salowicz
You don't know what you're missing, and you don't know what, because you've kind of just. You just. You just blank it out until you rediscover some sounds or getting reconnected.
- [06:35]
Dr. Daniel Amen
And I had a patient who had a very soft voice. And it was very important to me. I did a good job. And I was very upset with myself that I hadn't taken care of the hearing problem because I wasn't as good as a psychiatrist because I didn't hear everything. And so I think this is so important. It's important to mental health, because when you can't hear, you become more isolated, you become more depressed, and you actually become more paranoid.
- [07:14]
Brandon Salowicz
Exactly. And you. And you, with. You withdraw, you go inward. And I have many stories. And you and I, when we first spoke and several times afterwards, you know a lot of people and, you know, whether you're a celebrity CEO all the way, it doesn't matter who it is, what your title is. They when. When they can't hear or they. They've experienced, like, what you're experiencing now, and they. Something happens and they lost a hearing aid, or they, you know, they. I don't want to say panic, but it's urgent. It's a priority, because they understand how that reconnection got them back to whether again, their family or help them perform musicians that we take care of especially, and you go inward and you start withdrawing and from conversations, holidays, you name it. And it does help, you know, improve your mental health. It's a superpower, is why I call it. What we do is, you know, as I was talking, you know, Dave Asprey is, you know, what I like to think about is what we're providing is giving people superpower just to make them a little bit better each and every day.
- [08:23]
Tana Amen
Well, I have a question. I don't know if this is true or not, but I had heard that if you stop hearing certain sounds or certain words over a long period of time, the brain starts to forget that word.
- [08:33]
Brandon Salowicz
Is that true?
- [08:34]
Tana Amen
So that would actually have an impact on cognitive function?
- [08:37]
Brandon Salowicz
Absolutely. Absolutely. I mean, the simple things, you know, we hear. I hear it all the time, is, you know, whether, you know, in. In Minneapolis, where our global headquarters are and we have people from local residents to world leaders come in just because they need help. And one of the things we hear all the time, what was that? And it was paper rustling or it was the leaves outside or things that they, they forgot. And you know, there's other things too. It's that they just had forgotten about. And it's. And when I say get recon, they're reconnected. That's what they're reconnected with is sounds of life.
- [09:18]
Tana Amen
Well, this is this. Fortunately, we've been successful this time with your hearing aids. We've tried in the past other hearing aids. Not successful because when he put them in, he started to hear way too much. It was too loud, something. It was like overstimulation. And we have five girls in the house. And he was like, this is what I've been like. He just freaked out, ripped them out of his ears, threw them. He's like, he's like, I'd rather not hear anything. Just like.
- [09:43]
Brandon Salowicz
So that's what we do. Because everybody here, everything, everybody here is different. We do not want to put anybody in a box. You know, it's like a thumbprint. Your hearing and ear is different than mine. And so what we're doing is advancing and pushing technology to the edge of what is possible and making sure that it adapts to what you want and what you need and that you can.
- [10:07]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Adjust it so that our audience knows. Tell us a, for a couple of minutes about you and how you got involved in this not only business, but passion for you.
- [10:20]
Brandon Salowicz
Well, I. My grandmother started in the hearing industry in 1959 and she opened her hearing aid practice back when quite frankly a bank or anybody wouldn't give her a loan because she was female. She went to her dad and she was an entrepreneur back in 1959. And then my, my parents and my mother got in the business in 1983. And I've been around it. So I've, I've grown up in the industry. And the last thing I was going to do was going to be in the hearing aid business.
- [10:57]
Dr. Daniel Amen
What?
- [10:57]
Brandon Salowicz
Because I didn't quite understand I was going to be an astronaut. I wanted to do something cool but had to be really good at math. And that wasn't really my passion either. So I went to one year of college. I went up to Minnesota for the summer of 94 for just a summer intern job at Starkey and did everything from repair to ear molds to just basic entry level intern and was going to apply and apply to the University of Minnesota and then I loved it. I started I really. Because I felt like I had a responsibility and purpose. And I said, well, I'll wait a semester, then Skip year. Well, 30 skip years later. I just love the people. And then what you can see and what you can do and what I do in various jobs at Starkey, changing people's lives, because you could see it in their eyes, you know? Yes. There's the business side they have to be responsible for and all that fun stuff that comes with it. But what fuels me is, you know, being able to, you know, think about the possibilities of new technology and helping people get reconnected. Because when you see that, you see it in their eyes.
- [12:22]
Tana Amen
Absolutely.
- [12:23]
Brandon Salowicz
You see it in their eyes, and it's addicting.
- [12:25]
Tana Amen
Well, and it's so much easier. Like, I'll notice. Like, we'll be talking. I won't notice whether or not at first he has his hearing aids in, but then I'm like, wait, Kay doesn't have them in because this is, like, conversation is a little harder today. So I'll look over, and I'm like, do you have your hearing aids in? Because it's, you know, I don't even really notice them, but I do notice if the conversation is harder or not. And what's really funny is I had to learn. Like, I'm still learning to now bring my voice down because I. You have to. You have to get used to speaking louder when you're with someone who doesn't hear well. And that's kind of frustrating.
- [12:56]
Brandon Salowicz
Yes.
- [12:57]
Tana Amen
Because then you don't know when you're out, if you're speaking loud or not.
- [13:00]
Brandon Salowicz
It's.
- [13:00]
Tana Amen
It's. It's sort of an odd thing. So now I'm learning to speak at a normal volume again, because you start.
- [13:06]
Brandon Salowicz
Enunciating a little bit, and by. Just by habit. And I've seen that. And, you know, I didn't want to be CEO of circ. That wasn't my goal or ambition. My goal and ambition was to carry on what Starkey is about and our values and helping people. Right. And then, you know, I found my purpose and then found their purpose, and then everything followed suit. Yeah.
- [13:29]
Tana Amen
It's got to feel great to see people be able to communicate better again.
- [13:32]
Dr. Daniel Amen
And so let's talk about the impact of hearing loss on the brain, because the brain really is use it or lose it. And if it's not getting appropriate input to the auditory centers, they can begin to atrophy and wither.
- [13:52]
Brandon Salowicz
Right.
- [13:53]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Tell me what you know about this.
- [13:56]
Brandon Salowicz
Well, you're the expert. But what I know is that, you know, I like to think of we're exercising the brain, we're feeding the brain. And as we discussed prior to, you know, with hearing loss, you have some blanks that are missing because of the sound, meaning that whether you're missing sound, it also impacts balance. We talked about, because you feel, you hear normally, your feet on the carpet, people that can't hear that, it does affect balance and other things. So what we do and what I like, what I know we do, is this is just the device, but what we're providing is a technology that's improving and exercising the brain and making it as best as we can for the person and their individual needs.
- [14:51]
Dr. Daniel Amen
How do you help people sort of get over themselves, Right? Because I'm even feeling a bit vulnerable and vain, right. Talking about, I don't really want to have hearing aids and I don't want to have this problem. And as a psychiatrist, people don't want to see psychiatrists. They don't have depression, even though they're wildly depressed. How have you helped sort of decrease the stigma?
- [15:21]
Brandon Salowicz
We have to talk about it differently. We have to think differently. We have to be optimistic where it's a positive, it's helping you perform and be the best that you could be every day. The stigma has been decades, right? Look at the media, look at movies. Usually when you see hearing aids in movies or old person, and it's squealing and they have the big, you know, a full shell that looks like a piece of bubble gum right in their ear, that's not hearing technology. Today, even the most advanced hearing technology, what we're doing and others, they have old pictures of hearing aids. And that's. That's not what it is. That's. That's 20, 30 years ago.
- [16:04]
Tana Amen
No. And if you think about it, they probably have to do that because you wouldn't even see it otherwise.
- [16:09]
Brandon Salowicz
You would.
- [16:09]
Tana Amen
So you wouldn't know that in a movie they want you to see the hearing aid for a reason. So they have to use something big. And their intentions, they're increasing the stigma.
- [16:17]
Brandon Salowicz
Though, and their intentions, you know, what in their mind are good to try and get it out, or information. But they're actually hurting people because people need hearing help, you know, as I said, for whatever it is in their daily life. And they see that picture like, I don't want to be seen with that.
- [16:34]
Tana Amen
Well, and as, like, as someone who's with someone who, you know is benefiting from hearing aids, I can see why that would bother someone because as someone who wears. Needs glasses or as someone who has to take medication because I had cancer, I can see why that would bother you. But as someone on the other side of it, I would so much rather.
- [16:54]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Well, and if you thought of it.
- [16:55]
Brandon Salowicz
Like glasses, which is like.
- [16:58]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Which is exactly what it's like.
- [17:00]
Brandon Salowicz
Yeah.
- [17:01]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Right. That when my son needed glasses, he wouldn't wear them.
- [17:06]
Brandon Salowicz
Right.
- [17:06]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Because he didn't like the stigma.
- [17:08]
Brandon Salowicz
Right.
- [17:08]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Associated with it. But most adults who need glasses, it's like, it's not a big deal.
- [17:13]
Brandon Salowicz
Right.
- [17:13]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Get the coolest looking glasses.
- [17:16]
Brandon Salowicz
You can get certain pairs to match the outfits and the colors.
- [17:18]
Tana Amen
And what was that you always say about the 1840, 60 rule?
- [17:22]
Dr. Daniel Amen
That when you're 18, you worry about what everybody's thinking of you.
- [17:26]
Brandon Salowicz
Yeah.
- [17:26]
Dr. Daniel Amen
When you're 40, you don't give a damn what anybody thinks about you. And when you're 60, you realize no one has been thinking about you at all. People spend their days woring and thinking about themselves. Not.
- [17:38]
Brandon Salowicz
That's so true.
- [17:38]
Tana Amen
They don't care.
- [17:39]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Right. So.
- [17:40]
Brandon Salowicz
Yeah. Yes.
- [17:41]
Dr. Daniel Amen
And of course, nobody cares. Let's talk about the causes of hearing loss. Loud noise.
- [17:50]
Brandon Salowicz
Absolutely.
- [17:51]
Dr. Daniel Amen
So which may be mine. Although I have a horrible story. I think I'll tell it. So I was in the army and I was around a lot of loud noises, especially when I was in basic training and when I trained to be an infantry medic. And so I. I think I went into my adult years with some hearing loss, although mine tends to be high hearing loss. But I went through a period of time, actually before we met, of. Of grief, and I was really not well for like six months. And I remember I didn't like my thoughts, so I'd turn up the music so I'd drown out my thoughts. And I think that along with one Tony Robbins seminar where he got us to sit up front and the music was so. The sound was so loud.
- [18:49]
Brandon Salowicz
Thinking NFL stadium, where they're encouraging this is not a good thing. Yes.
- [18:53]
Dr. Daniel Amen
For me. And we recently went to a Journey concert which.
- [18:56]
Brandon Salowicz
Right.
- [18:56]
Dr. Daniel Amen
By the. It's not a good thing to, like, know the performers because they sent you up front. Which is damaging.
- [19:03]
Brandon Salowicz
You're right.
- [19:03]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Because I could just feel it was not good for earplugs.
- [19:08]
Brandon Salowicz
Neurons. Yeah. So, you know. Yes. Loud noises, genetics, medication, numerous things can, you know, cause that hearing loss. And it could be some can be sudden hearing loss. Medication is, Is a major factor in other worlds because we, we help others through our Starkey Hearing foundation, who in Africa, Mexico, couldn't afford hearing aids and it's simple infection that there's no treatment. And one of the first things is the hearing. But you know, for us, you know, what we're doing, you know, in, you know, you mentioned protection. You know, we, we've got, we know the patient. There's five hearing companies in the world. Starkey is the only us owned, operated, we have the most experience. We know the patient, the patient and we're privately held. So we can do what's best for the patient. So we do what's best for the patient, our customer. And Starkey, that's my priority. And so we can, we have the technology to help fill the gaps, get people back. You know, I, I like, you know, positive mental well being and thinking and getting them engaged, but also the protection. So that's the other side. So we're our largest customer is the va. And you know, I, I've told, I've had many meetings in D.C. and part of it is too is educating on solutions, but also hearing protection. Because think about the military. Whether you're using foamies or cotton, you can't hear. And I've said to many is like, I hope in 10 years the VA is not our largest customer because we have, we've started and what I wanted, you know, several years ago, started hearing protection where it's a device that, you know, you have situational awareness where it does, you can hear sound. It's not plugged, it's a device. And then instantly, if there's a loud blast, gun fires, it suppresses.
- [21:12]
Tana Amen
Seriously?
- [21:13]
Brandon Salowicz
Yes.
- [21:14]
Tana Amen
That's brilliant.
- [21:14]
Brandon Salowicz
Yeah. You make that now sound gear? Yes, yes, we make it now and quite frankly, we're working with the Department of Defense because they're interested. Because what's, if you look at the Veterans Administration, number one, number two issues with the veterans is tinnitus and hearing loss.
- [21:31]
Tana Amen
That's wild.
- [21:32]
Dr. Daniel Amen
And so, and tenderness comes from damage, right?
- [21:36]
Brandon Salowicz
Yes.
- [21:36]
Dr. Daniel Amen
To the hair cells.
- [21:38]
Brandon Salowicz
Right.
- [21:39]
Dr. Daniel Amen
In the cochlea.
- [21:39]
Tana Amen
But making something that actually shuts, like shuts it down instantly, that's amazing.
- [21:44]
Brandon Salowicz
So, yes, hunters and there's a lot of first responders, we're working in many states now, but there's a lot that can be done with that and people just don't know it. It's just education and getting it out there.
- [21:58]
Dr. Daniel Amen
What do you think the future of hearing loss treatment is going to be?
- [22:03]
Brandon Salowicz
I think that what we're doing and what's going to happen, it's going to be your personal assistant. It's going to be one personal Assistant.
- [22:11]
Dr. Daniel Amen
It's the first time I said what so one.
- [22:14]
Brandon Salowicz
But I, I think it'll be your personal assistant. I'm, you know, I liken it because my, my son, who's now 18, but grew up, you know, watching Marvel and all that. Think of it as Jarvis of Iron Man. I think it'll be your personal assistant. It'll give you the information and think about instant translation. If you think around the world, one of the biggest blockers is language, right. People understanding people. World needs to listen a little bit more now. And so think about what was Star Trek in the 60s, all that. Think about it, you know, coming out in the years ahead. Think about, you could do heart rate, you could do blood oxygen. You can, you know, right now we already have a lot of health features in our products. We're the only ones that have integrated sensors in our hearing aids that talk about. Or excuse me. That'll provide for fall detection, it will provide for reminders. It'll, you know, kind of. The ear is the new wrist, so it'll track your walking.
- [23:17]
Tana Amen
Are you saying it's going to translate?
- [23:20]
Brandon Salowicz
We translate now. We translate right now in 72 languages.
- [23:25]
Tana Amen
So you're saying like, instead of Google Translate that I use now, it's going to like hear someone and translate.
- [23:30]
Brandon Salowicz
We partner with Google. So there's a. A middle intermediate. I'll say couple second delay. But what I'm talking about is instant translation where you're talking. That's wild. Yes.
- [23:46]
Dr. Daniel Amen
So that's like traveling so much.
- [23:48]
Tana Amen
That's just like. That's just opens up a whole new universe.
- [23:52]
Brandon Salowicz
So it's not a hearing aid, it's a personal system.
- [23:54]
Tana Amen
That's crazy.
- [23:55]
Brandon Salowicz
So it's really hair tech that's designed for you as your own personal system and nobody can see it.
- [24:02]
Tana Amen
That's.
- [24:03]
Brandon Salowicz
That's where I think it's.
- [24:03]
Tana Amen
That's amazing.
- [24:04]
Brandon Salowicz
Well, that's where I'm pretty sure. Confidence going.
- [24:07]
Tana Amen
That's great.
- [24:08]
Brandon Salowicz
Yeah, because it's. Again, you know, could the va. I hear it all the time because it's an aging population. You know, you've got 450 million around the world with hearing loss and 45 million, 47 million here in the U.S. very low penetration because of the stigma, which for me, I want to make hearing aids cool. I want to get. I want to change the conversation. And people are like, oh, your business is going to be great. So I'm not worried about that. I want to do what's right to help people. And like I said, with the va, I don't want them be our largest. I want. What can we do to help in other areas? Goes back.
- [24:50]
Tana Amen
Well, now you got every designer in the world making glasses for people. So they're cool.
- [24:54]
Brandon Salowicz
Yeah.
- [24:54]
Tana Amen
You know.
- [24:55]
Brandon Salowicz
Yep.
- [24:56]
Dr. Daniel Amen
We had Steve Aoki here and I said, I want you to help me make brain health cool. And you want to make hearing.
- [25:05]
Brandon Salowicz
Yes. Hey, cool. Yeah, I want to make it cool. Yes.
- [25:07]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Yeah. And rather than hearing aids, maybe hearing personal.
- [25:12]
Brandon Salowicz
Hair tech.
- [25:13]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Hair tech.
- [25:14]
Brandon Salowicz
Yeah. Because everybody's using things on their ear nowadays where it's really.
- [25:18]
Tana Amen
You're already wearing, you know, the air. The AirPods and the. So I mean, you said two things that are just really cool. Translating and where it actually shuts down, you know, Noise noises.
- [25:30]
Brandon Salowicz
Yes. Yeah.
- [25:30]
Tana Amen
So.
- [25:31]
Brandon Salowicz
And think about one question people are.
- [25:33]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Going to ask is Amazon and Apple are now in the hearing aid business and for something that's less expensive, you know, why not do that as opposed to something as powerful and personal as Starkey?
- [25:53]
Brandon Salowicz
Well, I welcome Apple and others because it brings awareness. I think it's great. I think. And we work with Apple. We're, we're very close because our hearing aids, as you know, you know, will connect with your phone and you know, you can be talking through your hearing aid on a phone call and people might think, you know, you're talking to yourself, but you know, to do what we're talking about, you're talking about investment in technology, R and D to get it done. What's out there right now, I'm not saying others won't, but it's amplification and it's a feature so you can amplify things. And one thing, you know, whether it's a different type of device in your ear that looks like an AirPod, I'm not going to be in a meeting with a customer wearing those because people don't understand it yet. It might look disrespectful, but there are certain points and certain moments you need that. So it's an option. I mean, you know, airplanes, Amplification. Yes.
- [27:02]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Before.
- [27:02]
Brandon Salowicz
Yes.
- [27:03]
Dr. Daniel Amen
And I was just irritated.
- [27:04]
Brandon Salowicz
No, what we're doing right now is.
- [27:07]
Dr. Daniel Amen
I use not irritated with the.
- [27:09]
Tana Amen
Are these more personalized to you?
- [27:11]
Brandon Salowicz
Yes.
- [27:12]
Tana Amen
Okay.
- [27:12]
Brandon Salowicz
Because everything. So there's over the counter options that have been out for now two years, which is what others do for amplification. And that's fine because quite frankly what it does is.
- [27:24]
Tana Amen
So it's like buying readers versus getting a prescription glass.
- [27:27]
Brandon Salowicz
Exactly.
- [27:28]
Tana Amen
Okay.
- [27:28]
Brandon Salowicz
And so what somebody's doing is raising their hands and somebody's raising their Hand saying, I need help. So that's the first step. Usually it's about seven years because of the stigma, before somebody does anything about their hearing loss.
- [27:43]
Tana Amen
Right.
- [27:44]
Brandon Salowicz
And so what we're doing now with our technologies is we use AI. We're about our seventh generation since 2017. We were the first in the industry with advanced technology. That's your hearing aid for you, Designed for you, is listening and adjusting to the environment and what you want to hear. And basically programmed kind of like an equalizer to simplify things, but also more advanced, friendly AI, as I like to say. It's not EAS dropping or anything, but from wind noise to background noise. And really, the app, our mobile app for our products, it's a product within itself because you can adjust what environment you're in. Restaurant, loud sounds, quiet, whatever it might be, and then the hearing aid will adapt to it.
- [28:36]
Tana Amen
Well, this is the only one I've seen stick so far. We've gone through, what, four or five things, and they haven't worked. And it's.
- [28:44]
Brandon Salowicz
So, yeah, it's gotta be, you know, what you're comfortable with. But the other thing, what a lot don't. A lot of people don't realize. Yes. Is the stigma is the feel we have to design. So you look at the products you mentioned earlier, and there's many out there. Cheap, cheap products. We have to design something that people wear for 14 hours a day, forget they're wearing it.
- [29:08]
Tana Amen
Right.
- [29:09]
Brandon Salowicz
Can't feel it.
- [29:09]
Tana Amen
Well, and some of them aren't so cheap.
- [29:11]
Brandon Salowicz
No, no. But. But if, you know, a lot of them, you know, whether they stick out or battery life.
- [29:17]
Tana Amen
Right.
- [29:18]
Brandon Salowicz
So we have the longest lithium. We use lithium ion. So we have the longest battery life at 51 hours.
- [29:24]
Tana Amen
Oh, nice.
- [29:25]
Brandon Salowicz
So. And others, you know, we know this hairspray, sweat, rain water. Ours is 100% don't use hairspray proof. Yeah, yeah. I'm good too. But, you know, so there's a lot of things that go into it that you don't. That, you know, people don't recognize for it to be, you know, personalized to you and successful.
- [29:50]
Dr. Daniel Amen
So how to make hearing aids cool. I'm thinking about it. What else should we ask you? I. I've been thinking about one thing.
- [29:59]
Brandon Salowicz
Yeah?
- [29:59]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Stories drive me. I love stories. I think that's why I'm a psychiatrist, because I love the stories. What's your favorite story about how Starkey has helped someone?
- [30:13]
Brandon Salowicz
You know, it goes back to really. I've been to several. There's the business side and, you know, We've got a great team of over 5,000 employees and I love what I do. There's the, the, there's a Starkey Hearing foundation, There's a separate 501C3 and I've had the opportunity since 1997 to go on several, many of what we call our hearing mission trips. And these are people that you know there isn't a hearing professional around nor would they have the means to. So let's say Kenya, Zambia, you know, countries in Africa, we've set up sustainable models where we have now professionals, we train them. But you go there. My favorite story and why I do what I do because I could go into you know, others whether it's a celebrity or somebody local in Minnesota but when whether it's a 12 year old boy, 14 year old girl, doesn't matter or a mom and you put a hearing. They've never heard, never heard sound. And it's not because they're deaf. Because many people think oh hearing aids are deaf. No, if you're deaf, you're deaf hear right. So it's just that they had an infection at some age or something, you know, something happened and people thought they were deaf and don't. They had no hope. And you put a hearing aid in and you turn that volume on and you see, I mean you see it in the eye as I mentioned earlier. You see it in the eyes and I don't care who you are, you know, I'm not crying. You're crying. I mean it just forget it. Because they heard their child's voice for the first time or they heard their mom or dad or somebody's voice for the first time. That makes it all worthwhile. I don't care what my title is, what I do, that's rewarding. That's why do what I do. And that's my favorite story is seeing that because it's addicting they said because you, that's where you know you could help people.
- [32:29]
Dr. Daniel Amen
I love that so much.
- [32:31]
Tana Amen
That's really cool.
- [32:31]
Brandon Salowicz
How can people learn more starkey.com I mean that's, you know, it's, you know we, we sell through hearing healthcare professionals so we don't sell directly to the public. It's a medical device. So on our website it's just more information and listen how to get connected.
- [32:51]
Dr. Daniel Amen
To someone in their area.
- [32:53]
Brandon Salowicz
Yes, we have I'll say our providers that we know and trust. We have the largest I'll say provider network really in the US since we're US based, we're trusted quality products and it's educational. I mean really not selling anything. And if they want to go learn more, they can through a provider in their local area. Listed carefully.com is a kind of a subset. And so. I'm sorry, say that again. Listen carefully, listen carefully. So there's, there's many ways and it's just really educating because there's nothing wrong. Again, we're really, we're a technology company, we're not a hearing aid company. You know, this is one of many, you know, I'll say it's a hardware and so small. I wear it proudly because I want people to ask about it. You know, my friend Damon John wears his and they're red. He wants fire engine red because he wants people asking about it. He think it's cool.
- [33:50]
Tana Amen
Well, that's kind of a way to do make it cool.
- [33:52]
Brandon Salowicz
Yeah.
- [33:52]
Tana Amen
You know, you have different colors to match your outfits. Like that's kind of cool.
- [33:56]
Brandon Salowicz
Yeah. And it doesn't mean, you know, we use the terms hearing loss as like I have a disability. I want to find a solution and I want something that's going to make me just a little bit better. And even if I have a hearing loss, this can give me just a little bit more of a boost in my, you know, daily job with my family, whatever it might be. And with all the other features with.
- [34:21]
Tana Amen
You know, Bluetooth connects with your phone.
- [34:23]
Brandon Salowicz
I could be listening to music right now and you wouldn't know it.
- [34:26]
Tana Amen
So I have one question that could.
- [34:28]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Be a bad thing though because you wouldn't know it. You know, I was just thinking, you know, what's the opposite of what? Right, because I say what the opposite of what?
- [34:41]
Tana Amen
Wow.
- [34:41]
Dr. Daniel Amen
I understand. Yeah, it's connection.
- [34:44]
Brandon Salowicz
Exactly. Connecting people with people. That's, that's our purpose. That's why.
- [34:48]
Tana Amen
So I have one, I have one question. So like with AirPods, I know one concern that I have with wearing them, I wear them sometimes cuz if I'm busy, my phone, I don't want to have to mess with my phone. But I sometimes am concerned about the amount of radiation. Like radiation or whatever it is I'm getting. The stimulation I'm getting. What is the like how much stimulation are you getting or radiation are you getting from?
- [35:11]
Brandon Salowicz
Great question. I get that. And Dave Asprey and I talked about it. It would take 76 hearing aids to equal the amount of a cell phone.
- [35:20]
Tana Amen
That, that for me would be a huge selling point.
- [35:23]
Brandon Salowicz
So it's very, very, very, very middle.
- [35:26]
Tana Amen
It's nothing that would be. That alone would Be huge. So I'd be promoting it based on that. If they connect to a phone, we're.
- [35:35]
Brandon Salowicz
Very mindful people are the bottom line at Starkey. You know, yes, it's business and have to have a healthy company to invest in tomorrow, but it's about the people and being privately held. Don't have to answer to the stockholders. I got one. Stockholder is still the owner, founder is still there. And, and right now he's a very vibrant 82. He's going tomorrow to the OR this week to the Dominican Republic on a mission. That's what he wants to do. He, He. He helps people every day. And he goes, if you need something, let me know. I never want to look at a P and L again. You'll tell me if I need to. You know, I mean, that's. He's, you know, as you said, he's reached that stage. He's reached that state. He's been there, done that. He. He didn't start Starkey to be a CEO. He started Starkey because he was. In 1961, started selling hearing aids, helping people here. And he wasn't happy with the service he was getting from other manufacturers on the repairs and, and stuff, so he started his own repair lab in the basement of his home in Hopkins, Minnesota. So one of those American success stories, entrepreneurial, you know, you know, and just hadn't, you know, didn't get it to build a empire. Just kind of fell into it and learned it.
- [36:56]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Did it because he wanted to do.
- [36:57]
Brandon Salowicz
He wanted to do economics program because he was going to the U of M to be a doctor and in med school. And he saw the same thing, how much, you know, he could help people through hearing in their daily life and as he would say, too, saw it in their eyes. And, you know, he just found his purpose and kept at it.
- [37:19]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Love it so much. So the name of the podcast is change your brain every day and hearing aids change your brain. Yes, every day. Because if you're not hearing properly, you're not getting the stimulation, atrophy happens. And we haven't talked about it, but actually can actually increase your risk of dementia.
- [37:39]
Brandon Salowicz
Yes, again, we touched on it, but.
- [37:41]
Tana Amen
We didn't really get into it.
- [37:42]
Brandon Salowicz
The five senses. Right. And if you think of hearing it, it keeps your brain active. You got it, you know, engaged. You know, one of our features in our. Our app for our hearing aid is, you know, we can. Somebody can track how much activity somebody's using or using their hearing aid daily along, if they choose their family member so they're staying engaged. They're hearing the words, they're staying active. Because what happens. And this has been, you know, somewhat. Anything in the. In the past that I could say this. Bob Hope, I think you and I talked about it. You know, he would. He would. You know, there'd be parties later, towards the. Towards end of his years, was not engaged, couldn't. Because he. Over time, because of the stigma then because hearing aids were big and bulky, and it was different. You know, he wasn't engaged. And you go, I just said isolation. And I won't speak for him for depression, but it's the same thing. It's like you just feel out of touch and you can't hear and you don't. How many times do you want to say what. How much do you feel a burden? So there's so much more to it. So much especially false. We talked about falls. I mean, falls is a big thing, especially later in life. And hearing does help you with your balance.
- [39:09]
Tana Amen
That's really.
- [39:10]
Dr. Daniel Amen
I hear so many things. I never hear, like, water running.
- [39:15]
Brandon Salowicz
Right.
- [39:15]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Like, it's.
- [39:16]
Tana Amen
So some of it irritates.
- [39:17]
Brandon Salowicz
Well, I didn't want to say, but one of the most common thing I hear is, wow, the toilet flushing. Yeah. Well, I'll be driving.
- [39:24]
Tana Amen
And I'm constantly telling him.
- [39:26]
Dr. Daniel Amen
But I wouldn't hear it. Like an explosion.
- [39:28]
Tana Amen
Yeah, right.
- [39:29]
Brandon Salowicz
Well.
- [39:29]
Tana Amen
And I'm constantly telling him things like, please turn off your blinker. You know, because he doesn't notice it right now. He notices.
- [39:35]
Brandon Salowicz
That's a good. Yes. So, yeah, the blinkers. And it's those little noises that you just forget.
- [39:42]
Tana Amen
Right.
- [39:42]
Brandon Salowicz
You know, and it just like. Because I, you know, I have a little bit of, well, hearing loss in my right ear. Hunting, shooting. I don't hunt anymore. Just a long time ago. And noises I like. What was that? You know, it's almost like 3D sound. I get reconnected. And it was whether it's a fan or paper or something like that, that.
- [40:05]
Tana Amen
Probably really will affect your positivity, though, because you're gonna hear so much that's gonna irritate you. We just did our last podcast on positivity and negativity.
- [40:16]
Brandon Salowicz
But I like to think of where we're going with hearing technology and what we're doing is giving people back. It's a superpower, for sure. It's a superpower because, you know, there's many people in the prime of their career that have hearing loss but won't do anything about it. Now just think about what maybe perform Better in your job.
- [40:40]
Tana Amen
But I can't even imagine from a safety perspective. I'm a nurse and I can't even imagine from a safety perspective how much that would affect safety. Someone walking in the street, somebody, you know, someone's behind you. I mean, I can think of a million things where it's an issue to not be able to hear.
- [40:55]
Brandon Salowicz
Well, I, you know, just over the weekend, you know, it's who we are. I posted because, you know, what's the money and all that, what's going on in LA right now.
- [41:08]
Tana Amen
Right.
- [41:09]
Brandon Salowicz
I post any hearings, hearing aids that were lost or anything, we will replace. It doesn't have to be Starkey, anything. We want to help people find your local hearing professional, hearing healthcare professional. And Starkey will replace. Because people need to hear, whether it's today with what's going on, the news, loved ones, cell phones, same thing during COVID Think about that. Covid, you're isolated, lockdown. People wanted, couldn't hear. And we saw that once, you know, the restrictions were somewhat lifted, we saw that people like, okay, priorities became clear. And so mental health problems skyrocketing during COVID Yes.
- [41:52]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Because of the isolation.
- [41:54]
Brandon Salowicz
Yeah.
- [41:54]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Hearing loss increases isolation.
- [41:58]
Brandon Salowicz
And so what we're, you know what, what I wanted to do, just how I was, I'll say mentored and raised at Starkey, is help the people in LA County. Not looking for anything. It's just the right thing to do because people need to get stay connected. They've lost everything. And if to get in touch with.
- [42:21]
Dr. Daniel Amen
You, they go to the website or.
- [42:24]
Brandon Salowicz
I, I put on my social media. But Starkey Cares Starkey.com Starkey Cares@Starkey.com Great.
- [42:36]
Dr. Daniel Amen
All right, well, we have to stop, but we may have you back because this is so interesting.
- [42:40]
Brandon Salowicz
We can go so many different directions because I'd like to hear from you and your ideas and what we can do because, you know, you know, obviously, yes, the, the, the, the, the brain health and, and, and everything that you do. What's something that we're not thinking of? What's something that we can collaborate? Because it's all about helping people do better.
- [43:01]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Well, and what we do here is we actually look at your brain before we go about changing it. Because if you don't look, you don't know. And you wonder, using that mindset, how many, at what interval should people have their hearing chucked?
- [43:20]
Brandon Salowicz
Right.
- [43:20]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Like, I think you should probably look at your brain every five years. Because if there's a big change, you want to know, right? The sooner you try to fix a problem, the easier it is to fix the problem. So what, what do you recommend? Because I don't think there's sort of a national recommendation for hearing tests.
- [43:40]
Brandon Salowicz
No, because people. The one thing that is true, there's not a yes when you go and get a physical. But it's really, there's not a set age per se. The one thing with hearing loss is, you know, people will eventually. I said the seven years you don't die from hearing loss per se. So it's not as urgent as other. Other matters. But I mean, yes, from newborn screening. But now the, you know, the, the growing. I'll say pandemic in the, in the age group is your teenagers, one in six have hearing loss self induced. Why?
- [44:24]
Dr. Daniel Amen
What's the best way to screen for hearing loss?
- [44:28]
Brandon Salowicz
See your local hearing professional. I mean there's a lot of online and stuff, but you've got to be in a really quiet. You got to be the right environment. So you're, you know, a local hearing. Healthcare provider, audiologist, hearing aid professional can do it just. And it takes six minutes. It's just, it's nothing. And I took it.
- [44:50]
Dr. Daniel Amen
It was nothing because I heard nothing. Although not true. I mean I, I can hear male voices just fine. It's just female voices.
- [45:02]
Tana Amen
I think that's intentional.
- [45:03]
Dr. Daniel Amen
She says is intentional, but completely was not talking.
- [45:07]
Brandon Salowicz
And I'm interested in collaborating and I, I can't remember exact details, but the brain function. So with somebody with a hearing loss and then with the hearing aid. Right. The, the vitality. What's, what's, you know, what.
- [45:22]
Tana Amen
Very interesting to see.
- [45:23]
Brandon Salowicz
I would love to see a study and collaborating on that. I'd like.
- [45:27]
Tana Amen
Super interesting.
- [45:28]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Well, and just seeing, you know, so say we did 500 consecutive people and people who are not hearing versus people that hear but also track their mood. What's the difference?
- [45:42]
Brandon Salowicz
Right.
- [45:42]
Dr. Daniel Amen
And then for the people who aren't hearing, when you intervene, do you see improvements in blood flow and activity? Right. The study we do measures mitochondrial function. 49% of the tracer is taken up by the little powerhouse energy parts of the cell. And so are you energizing.
- [46:06]
Brandon Salowicz
Right.
- [46:06]
Dr. Daniel Amen
The neurons with appropriate stimulation?
- [46:10]
Tana Amen
Yeah, that would be really interesting.
- [46:13]
Dr. Daniel Amen
So more to come. Thank you so much, Brandon for joining us. What a joy. I knew it would be.
- [46:18]
Brandon Salowicz
This is fun, wasn't I right?
- [46:20]
Tana Amen
Yes, it was really interesting.
- [46:21]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Like you have to come. She's like, I learned a lot when I had and like.
- [46:25]
Tana Amen
So no, I learned a lot.
- [46:27]
Brandon Salowicz
Yes.
- [46:28]
Dr. Daniel Amen
Thank you so much.
- [46:29]
Brandon Salowicz
Starkey.com Starkey.com.
- [46:34]
Dr. Daniel Amen
This podcast is brought to you by the Change your Brain foundation, dedicated to ending the concept of mental illness by creating a revolution in brain health. Go to change your brain.org to learn how you can support our mission. If you like this week's episode, please make sure to leave us a review on itunes or Spotify and follow me on Instagram and TikTok at Doc. Amen and tanaamon.