Becoming A Corporate Audiologist: Karla Quinones Ortiz, AuD

Welcome to the SAA Becoming a ____ Audiologist Interview Series! There are many pathways or fields of audiology. In this series, the SAA will interview audiologists who work in varying fields of audiology.

Our next interview is with Karla Quinones Ortiz, AuD, an audiologist working as the Oticon Education and Training Specialist for the Mid-Atlantic region.

Q: Give us a brief description of yourself, your pronouns, your official title, where you are currently working, etc.

A: My name is Karla Quinones Ortiz, my pronouns are she/her, and I am an audiologist working as the Oticon Education and Training Specialist for the MidAtlantic region providing coverage to Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York City/Long Island. I reside in Philadelphia, PA with my fiancé, Kyle, and two dogs, Sadie and George.

Q: Where did you receive your Bachelors and AuD (or PhD)?

A: I earned my bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in psychology from the University of Central Florida and my Doctorate of Audiology (AuD) degree from Northwestern University.

Q: What made you want to become a corporate audiologist?

A: When I was studying for my AuD, truthfully it never crossed my mind that I could become a corporate audiologist. At the time, I was very focused on becoming a pediatric audiologist, which I did eventually accomplish. At the children’s hospital I previously worked at, which was also my first job, we had a close relationship with our manufacturer representatives (i.e., account managers, field trainers, etc.). These representatives from a variety of manufacturers helped me feel supported especially as a ‘green’ audiologist. It was this positive interaction that sparked an interest in one-day becoming an industry/corporate audiologist. I was excited about the potential of being able to leverage my audiology skills and knowledge to support other fellow hearing care providers.

Q: What does your day entail as a corporate audiologist?

A: Each day is a different experience, which is what I enjoy the most about my career! On any given day, I will likely be traveling to a clinic or hospital to provide training on products or software or to provide fitting and programming support to patients. In addition to in-office training, I also support the Oticon University program and provide lectures to students. During our very busy product launch seasons, I am involved in our launch events and tour around the region providing CEU seminars. I collaborate closely with our product development, marketing, audiology, and sales teams to support company initiatives. I love the autonomy my career provides and how I can tailor each day to a new experience.

Q: What classes or additional education would you suggest for students wanting to pursue becoming a corporate audiologist?

A: If you are interested in working for a hearing aid or cochlear implant manufacturer specifically, it could be helpful to join an amplification or cochlear implant lab (if one is available in your program) to gain knowledge in research, particularly if you would like to pursue a career in product development and/or corporate research. If you are interested in a sales role within corporate audiology, a business course either offered by your AuD program or at an affiliated college could be beneficial. While neither of these are required, it can be helpful in standing out to prospective employers.

Q: What opportunities do you remember from your educational career that helped you solidify your interest in corporate audiology?

A: I appreciated that the campus clinic worked with a variety of manufacturers so that students were able to be exposed to more than just a select few. This diversity allowed me to explore how different manufacturers approached software and practical aspects of hearing aid maintenance and troubleshooting. My off-site clinical placements around the Chicago area allowed me to interact with different manufacturer representatives and get to know the world of corporate audiology.

Q: What kind of clinical placements would you suggest to a student wanting to go into corporate audiology?

A: Seek clinical placements that will give you the most well-rounded experience in both diagnostics and treatment, particularly those that have a close partnership with their industry representatives. When applying to externships, ask about what opportunities are provided to interact with or attend manufacturer trainings.

Q: What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were deciding to go into corporate audiology?

A: Success will come and go; I wish I knew that success isn’t a goal but rather a feeling that can only be defined by you. I have experienced change in my career, and in those times of change I have felt failure, but it was in those moments of change where I developed the most. Seize those moments of change, and re-build and redefine what success looks like for you.

Q: Is there anything else you want to say or suggest to students considering going into corporate audiology?

A: While sales roles are the most commonly known role within corporate audiology, there are many different non-sales jobs that can be pursued, including careers in training and education, marketing, research, and corporate leadership. The benefit of corporate audiology is that you can craft your own career path depending on how your interest and expertise evolve over time. If you do indeed feel this is the right career for you, seek companies that foster career development and offer educational support to help you achieve your career goals.