Growing up in Elkader, a small town in northeast Iowa, Missouri State University alumna Dr. Brandi Neuzil’s journey toward audiology began unexpectedly.
When Neuzil was young, she babysat a high school boy who was diagnosed with hearing loss at age 1.
“I became curious about what audiologists do,” she said. “That curiosity led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders, helping me discover my path.”
Learning about audiology at MSU
Neuzil completed her bachelor’s in communication sciences and disorders at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in 2004.
In her last year at UNI, Neuzil visited MSU and met students and professors, which left a strong impression on her.
“The program and campus size really attracted me,” she said. This experience reinforced her decision to pursue the Doctor of Audiology at MSU, which she completed in May 2008.
During her time on campus, Neuzil enjoyed the tight-knit academic community.
“The close relationships with my professors were instrumental to gaining clinical skills and confidence,” Neuzil said. “Their support in my academic journey made a huge difference in my career.”
As part of her graduate program, she completed an externship at Mayo Clinic in La Crosse and Onalaska, Wisconsin, which strengthened her skills and passion for the field.
Realizing a lifelong dream
After graduation, Neuzil spent 15 years as an educational audiologist for Keystone Area Education Agency. She worked with children and families across 18 out of 21 school districts in northeast Iowa.
“Seeing parents truly understand their children’s hearing needs was incredibly rewarding,” she said.
This experience led her to see the need in her own community, where there was no full-time audiology clinic.
Though Neuzil loved working at Keystone, she felt a calling to create something more personal. She wanted to open her own private practice.
“When a friend and fellow audiologist passed away, it pushed me to make my dream into reality,” Neuzil said. “It made me reflect on what I wanted my career to be.”
Where compassion meets community
In October 2024, Neuzil opened Driftless Audiology to make quality hearing care accessible in Waukon. It is the only audiology clinic in Waukon and Allamakee County.
“I realized that opening my own clinic allowed me to serve my community as I envisioned,” she said.
Driftless Audiology offers hearing assessments and personalized hearing aid fittings based on individual patient needs.
The clinic follows an “unbundled model,” where patients pay for devices and services as they go instead of one price for everything. This approach keeps care affordable and accessible for the community.
“Driftless Audiology is more than just a clinic for me; it’s a place where patients feel heard and valued,” Neuzil said.
“Hearing care can be intimidating, so I approach every patient with empathy and make sure they feel comfortable and supported. As the clinic owner, I handle everything — from patient care and testing to billing and cleaning — with support from my husband and brother. It’s a one-person operation for now.”
Lasting bonds and memories
Although it has been nearly two decades since she graduated from MSU, Neuzil said she still cherishes the memories from her time at the university and with her classmates.
She recalls attending audiology conferences in cities like Chicago and St. Louis, where sharing rooms with fellow students was fun. It was a great way for her to get to know her classmates and build lasting friendships.
Though her friends now live in different cities, they stay connected through social media. Visiting MSU is on her bucket list for next year.
Discover a rewarding career
Neuzil encourages students who are interested in a health care career to consider audiology because it opens doors to versatile and impactful careers.
“Audiology is a broad field with so many paths to explore; you can truly find the place that fits you,” Neuzil said.