Volunteer Spotlight: Matthew Cross, AuD

The audiology program at Indiana University was a great fit because it maintained, within audiology, the broad topical focus I had appreciated so far in life. Correspondingly, I selected an ENT group for my externship year that allowed for rotations in several of audiology’s subfields.

I then began my career working for a private practice in Connecticut that performed both adult and pediatric diagnostics, and whose philosophy truly valued the broad educational aspect of audiology. This practice would later be purchased by a corporate entity, allowing me valuable exposure to hearing healthcare from the vantage of device manufacturers. I have recently opened my own private practice in northern Vermont called Eavesdrop Audiology, where I continue helping patients using my ever-expanding knowledge base and scope. I hope that I can communicate some of these great things I have learned along the way to my patients.

Why do you volunteer with the Academy?

My belief that individual citizens have the potential to make direct social change precedes my work with the Academy. I also believe that any healthy and sane human feels they should have the choice and autonomy to engage in honest and fair play. This is carried forward when we engage in honest contract negotiations. Unfortunately, we currently live in a world where large corporations set up scenarios where they present contracts in ways that either are non-negotiable or that seem non-negotiable. There is a power dynamic problem that is antagonistic to free market capitalism. This issue motivated me to reach out and begin communication with a lobbyist, an attorney general, and like-minded and more-experienced audiologists. One colleague suggested that it may be effective to volunteer with the  Academy. So, I overcame a fear of losing some strategically pitiable unaffiliated underdog position, volunteered to help, and have been able to enjoy a fascinating (albeit not super active recently due to moving to a new state and starting a practice) view of relevant and exciting changes that affect audiology. Some of my current political/volunteer interests include provider autonomy, fair insurance contracting, maintenance of local free market competition, and local retention of profits.

What is one thing that you can say volunteering has done for you and your personal success as an audiologist?

Volunteering has allowed me to be exposed to inspirational audiologists who I see doing the hard work to care for audiology (visiting Capitol Hill, communicating with legislators, leading volunteer organizations, joining state boards to push forward their own unique causes within audiology, and collaborating across state lines, confidently demonstrating that they believe that what positively affects audiology in one state positively affects audiology in another). They enabled me to take a larger view of audiology stewardship within the context of sometimes conflicting bureaucratic forces.

If you could retire tomorrow, what would you do?

I would likely spend my mornings getting up early to beat the lift lines and hone my skills at being a ski bum (my Colorado hometown pastime). Upon returning from skiing, I can’t imagine a life without my academic curiosity being fed in some way, and so could envision time spent reading and studying. Attending music festivals, traveling with my wife, playing with my dogs, and political leadership would round out my time. My retirement plan sounds like a lot of work! Fortunately, I don’t plan to retire any time soon.

What movie, book, or tv show could you live in?

Monty Python’s Flying Circus and the like, because in a world full of serious and sometimes tragic events, I think there is something curative in the allowance for silliness and ridiculousness. *Shuffles out of room flailing arms absurdly.*