National Hearing Expert Dr. Ana Anzola Opens Alexandria Office

ALEXANDRIA, VA – When Dr. Ana Anzola talks about hearing loss, she rarely starts by talking about hearing aids.

Instead, she talks about the brain.

“We don’t hear with our ears. We hear with our brains,” she said during a recent visit to Hearing Doctors’ new Alexandria office.

That philosophy has helped make Anzola one of the region’s most recognized hearing-health experts and is the reason many patients have followed her for years, traveling considerable distances for appointments.

Now, Alexandria residents no longer have to make that trip.

Hearing Doctors has officially opened its newest office at 3541 West Braddock Road, Suite 100, in the familiar medical office building at Braddock and King streets, bringing a nationally respected practice—and a different way of thinking about hearing healthcare—to Alexandria. The Alexandria office can be reached at (571) 652-3420.

The opening is welcome news for many local patients. During a recent visit to the office, an Alexandria resident stopped by simply to congratulate the team.

For years, he had traveled to McLean for appointments with Anzola.

Now, he won’t have to.

“I’m so happy Hearing Doctors has finally come to my neighborhood,” he said.

For Anzola, the move into Alexandria has been years in the making.

The practice has built a loyal following throughout the Washington region, earning more than 2,500 five-star reviews and national attention for its work in hearing healthcare. Anzola has appeared on Good Morning America, FOX, ABC, MSN, WTOP, and other media outlets discussing hearing loss, tinnitus, cognition, balance disorders, and healthy aging.

But despite the media appearances and accolades, Anzola’s passion for hearing healthcare began in a surprisingly simple way.

As a student, she enrolled in a sign-language class and met two children who were profoundly deaf.

The experience changed her life.

“I just fell in love with two kids who were completely deaf,” she recalled. “They taught me so much about deaf culture and what it means to be hearing impaired. I realized how two little hearing aids could make such a big difference in somebody’s life.”

Today, that perspective remains at the heart of Hearing Doctors.

The practice’s philosophy centers on what Anzola calls the ABCs of hearing health: Audition, Balance, and Cognition.

Most hearing practices begin and end with a hearing test.

Hearing Doctors goes much further.

When a patient walks through the door, the team wants to understand not only how well that person hears, but how hearing affects everyday life. They ask where communication is breaking down. Is it during family conversations? On the telephone? At church? Watching television? In restaurants?

Then they evaluate not only hearing ability, but how the brain is processing information.

“We take a patient-centered approach where it’s all about the patient. We go beyond the ear,” Anzola explained. “We look at the cognitive aspect of it all. How is that related to audition? And how is balance related? It’s all three, and then we come up with treatment plans.”

The reason is simple.

“If the brain is not receiving the signal, then you’re just guessing,” she said. “You’re using other parts of the brain, other resources, to fill in the gap.”

That extra effort can be exhausting.

It can also mimic symptoms commonly associated with cognitive decline.

“The symptoms of untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline can be very alike,” Anzola noted.

That observation has become increasingly important as researchers continue to study the relationship between hearing loss, memory, social isolation, depression, and dementia.

But perhaps the most surprising part of the Hearing Doctors approach is its focus on balance.

Many people don’t realize the ears are essential to maintaining stability and orientation.

According to the Hearing Doctors team, hearing and balance are deeply interconnected, particularly as people age.

“People don’t realize hearing is tied to depression, cardiovascular health, ringing in the ears, balance, and your ability to walk well,” the team explained. “Everything is connected together.”

The practice is affiliated with the American Institute of Balance, a distinction held by only a select group of providers nationwide. Through advanced balance testing and assessment, Hearing Doctors helps identify issues that may contribute to dizziness, instability, or increased fall risk.

The concern is not academic.

Falls remain one of the leading causes of serious injury among older adults.

“Our eyes, our ears, and our brains keep everything in balance,” the team explained. “It’s a perfect trifecta.”

The practice encourages adults over age 65 to consider balance evaluations as part of their routine healthcare. According to Hearing Doctors, many balance assessments are covered by insurance and can help identify issues before they lead to serious falls or injuries.

That holistic view extends to tinnitus, often described as ringing, buzzing, or roaring in the ears.

Anzola noted that approximately 90 percent of patients experiencing tinnitus also have some degree of hearing loss, making a comprehensive evaluation essential.

The practice’s newest community initiative reflects that same real-world philosophy.

Called Table Talkers, the program takes hearing care out of the clinic and into restaurants.

Participants gather for meals while hearing specialists evaluate how they communicate in one of the most challenging listening environments imaginable—a busy dining room filled with competing voices and background noise. Devices can be adjusted in real time, allowing participants to experience immediate improvements while providing feedback about what works and what doesn’t.

The first Alexandria Table Talkers events will be held at the iconic Table Talk Restaurant, 1623 Duke Street on Wednesday, June 11, and Tuesday, June 17. While the Alexandria program will debut there, Hearing Doctors plans to bring Table Talkers to restaurants and gathering places throughout Alexandria in the future.

The concept grew from a simple but powerful observation.

Too many people stop going out.

Too many stop participating in conversations.

Too many begin withdrawing from family dinners, community events, and social gatherings because hearing has become difficult.

“There’s nothing worse than being left out of the conversation,” members of the Hearing Doctors team said during their visit.

For Anzola, helping people hear better is only part of the mission.

The larger goal is helping people remain active, engaged, independent, and connected to the people and activities they love.

Residents interested in participating in either Table Talkers event can call (571) 652-3420 or visit www.HearingDoctors.com. The new Alexandria office offers ample free parking and is now accepting new patients.

In a city known for its restaurants, civic life, and strong sense of community, Hearing Doctors arrives with a simple message: Better hearing isn’t just about hearing better. It’s about living better.