Bringing Fortell to Boston: Meet Clinic Director, Dr. Rupal Bhakta, Au.D.

Dr. Rupal Bhakta, Au.D., has spent her entire career in Boston, most recently at Mass Eye and Ear, one of the most respected names in the field. Now she's opening Fortell Audiology Boston, bringing the city's academic, high-standards approach to healthcare together with a hearing technology she says outperforms anything she's tried before.

We caught up with Dr. Bhakta to talk about her path through Boston's hearing health scene, what pulled her away from an institution she'd called home for over a decade, and what she's most looking forward to as Fortell's newest clinic director.

Q: You've spent your whole career in Boston. What's kept you here?

Dr. Bhakta: I've lived here my whole life and have a lot of family in the area. I went to Northeastern for both my undergraduate degree as well as my degree in audiology, and completed my externship in Boston (at Massachusetts Eye and Ear). I've traveled a lot, but I've never actually moved from my hometown. I love it here and I plan to stay. 

Q: How did you find your way into audiology in the first place?

Dr. Bhakta: I was initially interested in pursuing physical therapy, but I ended up in the speech pathology program for my undergraduate studies instead. As part of that course work I took an intro to audiology class, and also had the opportunity to complete my co-op (a 6-month work-study) at Mass Eye and Ear in the audiology department, working at the front desk and completing newborn hearing screenings. 

That's when I realized what the scope was in the field of audiology, and I felt that it was a much better fit for who I am. I enjoyed the instant gratification of helping someone hear well again. I have never looked back.

Q: You ended up spending over a decade at Mass Eye and Ear. What made you consider leaving?

Dr. Bhakta: Honestly, recruiter emails come in fairly often, and I ignored most of them. Then one mentioned a clinic director position at Fortell. At first, I didn’t think much of it. Turns out the previous director at Mass Eye and Ear (a consultant for Fortell) mentioned my name to Fortell’s CEO, Matt deJonge. Matt ended up reaching out directly, and, well…he's very convincing. I demoed the product, and it was incredible.

“It was the people, and the way this company has decided to build itself... They're deliberate and thoughtful about getting things right rather than just moving fast.”

Q: What was it about the demo or Matt’s pitch that ultimately sold you?

Dr. Bhakta: The technology reduces noise in a way that's unlike any other hearing aid I've tried. But the product alone isn't what convinced me to make the leap. It was the people, and the way this company has decided to build itself. 

It's clear that Fortell isn’t solely focused on the bottom line. Everyone I met was genuinely motivated to build something better for patients. They’re deliberate and thoughtful about getting things right rather than just moving fast. I think that's exactly what's going to make Fortell so competitive.

“Boston expects excellent, high-quality healthcare, and I think Fortell is going to deliver that, but do it differently, with the best technology out there.”

Q: What are you most looking forward to as you open the Fortell Boston clinic?

Dr. Bhakta: Disrupting the market. Boston expects excellent, high-quality healthcare, and I think Fortell is going to deliver that, but do it differently, with the best technology out there. This is such an academic community, and I think the blend of high-quality care, a personal touch, and genuinely advanced technology is going to be really compelling here.

Dr. Rupal Bhakta, Au.D., is now welcoming patients at our new Boston clinic. Click here to schedule an appointment.

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