#51 Dr. Emily Martinson, audiologist

Emily Martinson is a Doctor of Audiology, who says "the power of sound is tremendous," and when the sound goes away in terms of hearing loss, it is a big concern. She took piano lessons and sang as a child, but she remembers the effects of significant hearing loss on her grandfather, who separated himself from groups, conversations, and music. Her mother was a speech pathologist, and audiology became appealing to her because she realized that hearing loss can have profound impacts on relationships. "We all need sound," she says. Not hearing well can be a source of anxiety or isolation. "Communication through music and sound is so critical to the human experience," and she says people including musicians with hearing loss should look into ways to improve their experience. Sharing music even globally is an incredibly powerful tool and a unification force for all of us.