Professional Role and Background
Blaise Delfino serves as the Director of Professional Relations at Starkey Hearing Technologies, a leadership position through which he leverages his comprehensive expertise in hearing health and communication sciences. He holds a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology and is a Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist with over 11 years of clinical experience. His career uniquely spans clinical operations, private practice ownership, sales, marketing, and business management within audiology, giving him a broad and practical understanding of patient needs across diverse financial and social contexts.
Key Professional Contributions and Innovations
Blaise is recognized as an inventor of the world’s first custom adjustable earplug, known as the Fader Plugs, demonstrating a commitment to innovation and practical hearing solutions. He is also the host and founder of The Hearing Matters Podcast, identified as a leading and top-rated hearing healthcare podcast, reflecting his role in advocacy and education within the field.
His approach is distinctly patient-centered, balancing optimal hearing care with financial accessibility—an outlook shaped by his direct experience running an audiology private practice. Blaise advocates for advancing both the clinical and social aspects of hearing healthcare, emphasizing a holistic understanding of hearing loss beyond amplification alone.
Involvement at Starkey Hearing Technologies
Joining Starkey in mid-2022, Blaise’s role focuses on professional relations, bridging research, clinical applications, and industry innovation. Although not publicly documented as a direct contributor to Starkey’s recent product press releases or award filings, his senior position indicates involvement in advancing Starkey’s strategy for professional engagement and education.
He has been featured in Starkey-related media, including a demonstration fitting Starkey Evolv AI hearing aids for his own mother, which illustrates his clinical and personal investment in the technology. Starkey itself is renowned for pioneering integration of inertial measurement units (IMUs), artificial intelligence (AI), and features such as fall detection, social engagement scoring, and balance risk assessment, technologies aligned with Blaise’s advocacy for comprehensive hearing care linked to overall health.
Thought Leadership on Hearing Loss and Cognition
Blaise Delfino is prominently cited in recent expert discussions on the link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. He highlights:
- The significance of hearing intervention in slowing cognitive decline by approximately 48% over three years, especially in populations with cardiovascular risks, based on the ACHIEVE study results.
- The impact of dual sensory impairment (hearing combined with vision loss) on increased risk for dementia.
- The role of aural rehabilitation (AR) and cognitive screening in clinical practice to effectively manage hearing loss as a multifaceted condition affecting social engagement and mental health.
- The value of new audiologic technologies such as the integration of IMUs in hearing aids to monitor physical activity, detect falls, and promote patient well-being beyond hearing amplification.
- The importance of ongoing social interaction and cognitive stimulation facilitated by hearing technology to reduce risks of social isolation and depression.
His thought leadership is informed by scientific literature and studies, positioning him as a knowledgeable resource interfacing clinical practice, patient advocacy, and technological innovation.
Industry and Advocacy Engagement
Blaise has demonstrated engagement in legislative and advocacy efforts within the hearing healthcare community, with data indicating strong industry-wide support for increased professional involvement in legislative affairs. His public communications underscore the critical need for access to quality hearing care and integration of hearing health within broader health paradigms.
Professional Network and Public Presence
- LinkedIn profile: [blaise-delfino](https://linkedin.com/in/blaise-delfino)
- Founder and host of [The Hearing Matters Podcast](https://hearingmatterspodcast.com/blaise-delfino/)
- Featured in Starkey’s educational content and advocacy videos.
Summary
Blaise Delfino is a senior professional at Starkey Hearing Technologies with an innovative clinical background and leadership role bridging audiology science, patient-centered care, and industry relations. His expertise spans advanced hearing healthcare technology, cognitive health links, and professional advocacy. This positions him as a key influencer and knowledgeable partner within Starkey for initiatives related to emerging hearing technologies, clinical education, and addressing the broader health impacts of hearing loss. His work reflects a strategic combination of innovation, clinical rigor, and patient-focused solutions aligned with Starkey’s mission in hearing healthcare.
