Audiology Academy

Alexandra deGroot, 
 AuD, F-AAA

Doctor of Audiology

Continuing Education Provider

Owner

Based in Seattle, WA

Serving healthcare providers & patients throughout the US

Hearing Ally: Ali deGroot, AuD, F-AAA

Whether it’s your ears or those of someone important to you, I’m your Hearing Ally and I can teach you how to navigate hearing loss, its far-reaching effects, and find the best solutions out there.

I’m Ali and I’m a Doctor of Audiology and an educator. But at its core, my work is about reconnecting people — because when we have the tools to effectively connect with others, our environment, and ourselves, we have the foundation to thrive.

When it comes to our healthcare system, I understand many of its strengths and weaknesses. It can be overwhelming for patients and providers alike. I can help you access and navigate the systems in a way that better serves you and the people who rely on you — whether you chose traditional or alternative healing methods, or a combination of the two.

I absolutely love preventing communication problems, their effects on our lives, and treating the problems we can’t prevent. I’m also one of those “systems thinkers” who sees the whole person, community, environment, and how they all relate to each other. So, if these issues resonate for you, I have some work for you to do and a few new tricks to learn, but they will have a much greater impact than you might expect!

I can’t wait to work with you!

My Background:

I’ve had a job since I was 12. I won’t bore you with the whole list, but, I’m proud to say I can wrangle 8 toddlers at once, mix and pour a cement driveway, pull a double-shift at the busiest restaurant in (my little home-) town, and fix a flat on your bicycle.

I received a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences (a.k.a. Speech Pathology and Audiology) from Loyola College in Baltimore, MD and a doctorate in Audiology from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. I am also a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Sigma Nu national honor societies.

I am a licensed and practicing audiologist in Seattle, with experience in a variety of medical settings, including the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, WA. My education and experiences have given me a deep understanding of the ear-brain system, how problems with that system affect our lives, and how past and present research in the field can help real people, right now. I work with healthcare providers, and patients and their families in Seattle and across the county.

Outside of Hearing Ally:

I am a Therapy Dog Owner, mountain biker, wife to an amazing husband, pop-song-lyrics-memorizer, and tech support daughter on-call (to name a few). Beyond inefficiency, my other pet peeves include boring presentations and BS.

AUDIOLOGIST
 [AW-DEE-OL-UH-JIST]

What is an Audiologist?

Diagnoses and treats disorders of the ear including hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing/sounds in ears), and vertigo (spinning dizziness). In the case of hearing loss and tinnitus, treatment can be through technology (such as hearing aids) and aural (re)habilitation (such as coaching).

Audiologists work in a variety of settings. The most common is a private audiology practice or an Ear, Nose, and Throat medical practice. To become an audiologist today you must receive a doctoral degree.

Quick Questions – Answered

How much do you charge? For healthcare providers, online continuing education is $75/hour. For in-person support and education (families and providers), it depends on how many people will be attending the session and how long the session is. Feel free to contact me about your needs.

Do you know about current hearing aid technology? I sure do.

Are you going to pressure me in to buying hearing aids? I will not.

Can you help me find a reputable place to get hearing aids if I want to try them? Definitely.

Do you know about tinnitus (ringing in the ears)? Yes.

Do you work with children? I do — however, children with permanent hearing loss should work predominantly with the audiologist that fits them with hearing aids, or the organization the family has selected to teach them a manual communication method. I can provide a lot of helpful information and connect you with reputable pediatric audiologists or pediatric healthcare providers.

Can you teach us how to get things back to the way they were before my spouse’s hearing loss? I cannot – but I can give you the tools to make your family’s communication and safety much more effective and thus, less draining.

So, you think my patients aren’t receiving the best care? A bit bold aren’t we? To be bold, yes — but primarily because we aren’t taught about the significance of this health condition. The astonishing prevalence of hearing loss, the huge percentage of that population who go untreated, and the well-researched significant effects of untreated hearing loss, all support that there is a large group of people whose needs are going unmet. I also hear it from my patients on a daily basis. Interestingly, their needs go well beyond ear doctors alone. Your practice, no matter your field, can address a unique component to this far-reaching health concern. I’m here to show you how to do so in a clinically realistic way.