We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jason Baker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jason below.

Alright, Jason thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My mom always said she wanted to give me a better childhood and life than what she had. My parents didn’t have a lot growing up and they intentionally chose to make personal sacrifices in order to give me more than they had.

Growing up, I always wondered why my parents left for work so early in the morning. Partly, it may have been the hours they had to work for those jobs. However, a big part of this was also wanting to be present when we came home from school. This meant that my dad could coach our sports teams and my mom could welcome us home and help us with our school work. As adults, we do have some control over the hours and the amount of time we put into our work. I am extremely grateful that my parents were intentional with their time and made sure they were present in our lives.

My daughter was born in October of 2022 and my mom passed away in January of 2023. During this (overwhelming) season, I really began to think about what I want my career, work, and personal life to look like. I want to be the best at what I do, but my parents taught me that family comes first no matter what. As a result, I ended up starting my own audiology practice in order to have more time with my daughter. Now I can be the best audiologist and dad at the same time.

Jason, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I found my passion for audiology while studying 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.

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 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.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

As a small business owner, the marketing hat is always on. Whether this is posting on social media, meeting someone in person, or calling new leads, I am constantly thinking of ways to grow my patient/client group. I have had success in various marketing avenues and others have been failures.

I am extroverted and put myself out there; a lot. I love talking about audiology, hearing conservation, and ears. People tell me all the time that they can see I have a true passion for what I do. I have also found that there is a general curiosity and most people have at least one or two ear questions that I am happy to answer.

Bottomline, what is working well for me right now is word of mouth. I am trying to be as down to earth as possible, connecting with people and building relationships. The music industry in Nashville is a community and it is all about making friendships.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

As a music audiologist, I am going to succeed by educating the music industry in Nashville. I have met with many music industry professionals (MIPs) unaware of what loud music can do to the ears. Musicians deserve to know about safe listening levels, hearing conservation, and ways to protect their ears. The music industry is not regulated like many other high-noise professions and someone has to look out for this group.

I have seen many musicians wishing they could turn back time to protect their ears and get back the hearing they have lost. Once you damage your hearing, it does not come back. I am not saying MIPs need me, but they deserve to at least know that I exist and can offer valuable information and resources to ensure a long and successful career.

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/
• Other: TunedCare: https://app.tunedcare.com/sign-up?referral=2254

Image Credits
Allie Katz Photo