Meet Fortell Greenwich Director of Audiology Dr. Samantha Morgan, Au.D.

At Fortell, we believe that exceptional hearing care starts with exceptional people. Dr. Samantha Morgan, Au.D., is no exception. We sat down with her to talk about her journey into the field, her life in the Greenwich and Stamford community, and the precise moment she realized Fortell was changing the game for patient care. 

Q: What first drew you to the field of audiology?

Dr. Morgan: I always knew I wanted to go into a field where I could truly help populations that needed it. Interestingly, my family is full of teachers—including a lot of special education teachers—and they were the ones who first told me about speech-language pathology.

When you're an undergraduate, speech pathology and audiology actually share the same major, so they are connected. While in college, a friend of mine had a parent who was an audiologist, and she needed some help in the office during the summer months. As my coursework continued, I started asking the clinicians questions, and they let me start shadowing them. It became clearer to me that my true passion was audiology.

Q: Now that you’ve been practicing for years, what is your favorite part about being an audiologist day-to-day?

Dr. Morgan: It’s a mix of two things: the human connections and the tech. I love the relationships I’m able to build with my patients, getting to know them, and being a chapter in a much bigger story that improves their quality of life and keeps them meaningfully connected to their loved ones.

At the same time, the technology at this moment in time is incredibly exciting. We are taking the massive tech advancements we see everywhere in the modern world and funneling them directly into improving someone’s ability to communicate.

“I love the relationships I’m able to build with my patients, getting to know them, and being a chapter in a much bigger story that improves their quality of life.” 

Q: Speaking of tech, how did Fortell first come on your radar, and what ultimately persuaded you to join the team?

Dr. Morgan: Fortell actually found me through a wonderful full-circle moment. My doctoral thesis mentor was involved in some of the early clinical research at Fortell and she shared my name with the team.

When I came to meet the team, I brought what I thought to be the best hearing aids available the time to compare them to Fortell. When I did the Fortell audio demo outside the Park Avenue clinic I was blown away.

Beyond the product, the team is unparalleled. To be surrounded by such a smart, motivated, and collaborative group of individuals is a privilege. In a traditional hospital setting, you don’t have any visibility into how the business works. At Fortell, I get to learn about marketing, business operations, and product development while continuing to provide first class  clinical care.

Q: When a new patient sits down in your chair for the very first time, what is your main goal for that interaction?

Dr. Morgan: I want to understand their lifestyle and what is motivating them to pursue better hearing. Do they have a desire to hear their grandkids better, or go out to a busy restaurant on a date without feeling self-conscious?

There’s a common misconception that hearing care is only for elderly populations, but we see patients of all ages. Many are right in the thick of their careers—my peers who need to hear every single word spoken around a crowded conference table or accurately hear what their own patients are telling them.

My goal is to demystify the audiogram, empower patients with education about hearing loss, and then let them hear the difference immediately through our live demo. When you can take ownership of what is happening to your body and what you're experiencing, you feel much more empowered to make informed decisions around your health.

“When you feel like you can take ownership of what is happening to your body and what you're experiencing, you feel much more empowered to make great decisions around your health.”

Q: What advice would you give to someone who knows their hearing isn't what it used to be, but feels nervous about taking that first step?

Dr. Morgan:  I would tell them that a hearing test takes about 20 minutes, it’s completely painless, and there is zero risk in establishing a baseline. As we get older, the incidence of hearing loss dramatically increases.  It’s rarely a matter of if, but rather when you’ll experience some degree of hearing loss.

The traditional audiology model can have many steps. You go in for a test, then you have to make a separate appointment to talk about your options, and a third appointment to get your hearing aids. That's a lot of appointments, and it can be a barrier.

“Once you are ready  to walk through our doors, we make sure you get the absolute most out of your time.“

At Fortell, you can test your hearing and walk out the exact same day with your hearing aids. Plus, with our trial period, you can try them out for 100 days to see if it fits with your lifestyle and daily needs. 

Q: You’re treating patients right here in Greenwich and it’s wonderful that you also live nearby. When the white coat comes off, what are your favorite local ways to enjoy the Greenwich and Stamford community?

Dr. Morgan: My husband and I moved to Stamford in 2016, so we’ve been part of this community for a decade. Now, as we raise our two young daughters here we are invested in a whole new way.

I love the area because it’s the perfect middle ground between the suburbs and a big city. It is diverse and vibrant, and we are still close enough to hop on the train and easily visit the city.

On the weekends, you'll usually find us taking advantage of our backyard, exploring local beaches, at a playground with a large coffee, or going on family walks. I also love staying active by taking local Pure Barre classes. My husband and I also enjoy the incredible restaurant scene downtown on Greenwich Avenue and in downtown Stamford. It's just a wonderful place to live and practice.

Ready to take control of your hearing health? Learn more about Fortell’s Greenwich clinic here. 

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