Inspiring Conversations with Jason Baker of Music City Audiology

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Baker.

Hi Jason, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I found my passion for audiology in 2011 while studying psychology and speech & hearing sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara. I immediately fell in love with audiology and knew I uncovered my ideal career path. I moved to Texas in 2014 for my graduate studies and received my Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Texas at Dallas.

I worked at the university after graduation, before settling in Nashville in 2020 to be closer to family. For the last three years, I worked in a hospital setting in Nashville, keeping the idea of private practice in the back of my mind. Throughout my various experiences, I came to realize that audiology is ever-changing and I need to play an active role in order to improve and advance the field.

With over a decade of clinical experience across three states and a wide variety of settings, I recognized the need for more convenient and accessible services. This is why I decided to start my own practice, Music City Audiology.

Having my own practice allows me to implement the “Dr. Baker Method” and follow best practice guidelines while serving patient/client populations in Music City. Being completely mobile offers a level of convenience and accessibility that can truly open doors to those that are in need of ear and hearing health services. Music City Audiology might be brand new, but audiology is my expertise and I am here to help.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Does anyone have a smooth road? My road certainly has not been smooth, even with a type A personality trying to control everything. Life is tricky, messy, and hard and there have been many struggles thrown my way. My world stopped spinning in 2013 when my older sister unexpectedly passed away. She was my best friend and someone I turned to for all of my life advice.

I cherish the last memory I have of her, filled with laughter and joy at Disneyland. That year I was presenting research at The American Academy of Audiology’s annual conference in Anaheim, California. Around this time, I found out I did not get into SDSU’s graduate program and I even thought about changing career paths. However, I still went to present my research, and I got to see my sister two days before she passed. This surely felt like a sign that I should still pursue audiology.

In 2018, my mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Last year I moved her to Nashville so I could assist with her care. As I connected with various facilities and hospitals, I saw that many individuals in these communities need audiology services but have difficulty traveling to a physical clinic. This inspired my first thoughts on mobile practice.

At this time, I was also learning how to be a dad after welcoming my daughter into the world in October. Those last few months were both rewarding and discouraging at the same time. The end stage of Alzheimer’s was incredibly brutal, but my mom deserved to be comforted and loved until the end. The final moment before my mom passed, I played a list of songs from concerts we went to growing up. Although she could not respond, I know her music-loving heart appreciated it. Music was a huge part of our relationship and I am so grateful for that last bit of time we had together.

If it was 2013 and someone asked me what I expected my life to look like in ten years, I never would have predicted losing my sister and mother. We all have struggles and these life experiences build our character and direct us down certain paths. There are many times I wanted to give up and quit. I pushed through the hurt, knowing I could still achieve my professional goals, even without my sister and mother physically cheering me on.

As I continue to grow Music City Audiology, there are still some unknowns. I might only be able to see a few feet ahead, but I know this is the path I am meant to be on as I continue my career as an audiologist.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Music City Audiology?
Music City Audiology offers comprehensive ear and hearing healthcare services. I am focusing on both ends of the spectrum: hearing conservation and treating hearing loss. Although my primary focus groups are musicians and those in independent & assisted residential communities, I am open to anyone in need of audiological care.

Here is a list of my services:

-Custom hearing protection
-Earmold impressions (e.g. for in-ear monitors)
-Ear canal cleaning
-Comprehensive hearing evaluations
-Treatment for hearing loss (e.g. hearing aids)
-Tinnitus consults
-Device cleaning/troubleshooting

What sets me apart from other clinics is that I am completely mobile, offering convenient access to ear and hearing healthcare. Being mobile allows me to bring my services directly to my patients and clients. I chose to be mobile because it offers a bit more flexibility with my schedule and the schedule of those who I am seeing. No more frustrating Nashville traffic.

No need to block hours out of your day to commute and sit around in a waiting room. No longer wait weeks or months for an open appointment. I coordinate a time that works best for you without interrupting your daily flow. My goal is to educate all of the musicians and music lovers in Nashville about audiology and the importance of taking care of your ears.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
All things considered, I think most of my family and friends would say I am a “lucky” person. I have had some incredible life experiences including opportunities in higher education, international travel, and even an appearance on Wheel of Fortune with my twin brother. The Amazing Race must not have seen our video applications…yet. I also have an amazing family and get to spend every day with my wife Megan and our daughter Marley.

I am a very persistent and goal-oriented individual and I have worked hard for my achievements. I can also attribute many of my successes to supportive family, friends, and mentors along the way. I am lucky to have had so many people in my life to stand in my corner and offer love, wisdom, and constructive criticism.

I am lucky to have found a profession that I love so much. I get to meet so many different people from so many different walks of life. I enjoy having conversations with my patients/clients and getting to know a little bit more about their stories. The best part is that I get to be part of their journey towards better hearing health and address the communication needs of my patients.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.musiccityaudiology.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiccityaudiology?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/musiccityaudiology
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-baker-audiology/