My name is Michael D. Rairigh, Au.D., and I have recently purchased Dennis Shaw Speech and Hearing Services. I grew up in the small “steel mill” town of Wellsburg, WV, which is approximately 90 minutes southeast of Hermitage. I attended Bethany College in Bethany, WV where I majored in Biology. During my studies, I also stayed involved with the musical and dramatic arts departments. My doctoral degree in Audiology was completed at Salus University, located outside of Philadelphia. 

While pursuing my doctoral degree, I stayed active in the Lions Club at the school as Vice President and organized several health fair events with the Optometry students to provide hearing and vision screenings not only to the general public, but also to the Special Olympics. During my 2nd year, I formed the local NAFDA (National Association for Doctors of Audiology) chapter for our Audiologist program. This club helps provide financial and educational support for the students to assist in furthering their education by allowing them to attend national or local conferences. Our NAFDA chapter also helped provide hearing services to residents of the Philadelphia area who struggled financially.

I have worked in a variety of Audiology settings. While working in a hospital setting, I managed the neonatal intensive care unit, testing infants born prematurely or infants born with risk factors for causing hearing loss to determine whether they suffered from congenital hearing loss, and recommended the appropriate treatments. In an E.N.T. clinic and private practice, I not only cared for patients with hearing loss and provided amplification to improve their quality of life for communication, but I also provided vestibular/balance testing and treatment plans. Many patients that suffer from dizziness/vertigo or imbalance also have hearing loss. It’s important to know this because there could be two separate issues or the beginning of a disorder or disease process.

Most patients often ask why I chose the audiologist profession. I always knew I wanted to be in the healthcare field. Growing up with many hearing-impaired family members who chose not to improve their communication through the use of hearing instruments was not only frustrating for those suffering from hearing loss, but also for those who were trying to communicate with them. Choosing a profession that allowed the clinician to become more than just a patient’s doctor but more like a family member was important to me. When I found the audiologist profession it was a perfect fit.