Meet D’Anne Rudden | Doctor of Audiology

We had the good fortune of connecting with D’Anne Rudden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi D’Anne, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
At Longmont Hearing and Tinnitus Center, we’re more than just a hearing clinic—we’re here to serve people. Hearing loss can isolate people from their families, careers, and communities, and we see it every day. So our mission is simple: reconnect people to what matters most. That means offering personalized, compassionate hearing and tinnitus care for all ages right here in Longmont—and making sure it’s accessible, not just available.

We also extend that reach through our nonprofit, Hearing the Call Colorado. Through this program, we provide reduced-cost hearing healthcare for income-qualified individuals. We believe no one should be denied the gift of hearing because of financial limitations. With the support of community donations and volunteer providers, we’ve helped hundreds of Coloradans hear better, live fuller lives, and stay connected to the people they love.

Globally, we’re also part of the larger Hearing the Call network bringing hearing healthcare and training to underserved communities around the world. Whether it’s helping someone hear their grandchild’s laughter for the first time or training local providers in South Africa (and other countries around the world), our goal is to create lasting impact—one ear, one person, one story at a time.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
As a young audiologist, I never imagined I’d one day be a business owner. Thirty years ago, audiologists received no formal training in business—and we definitely weren’t encouraged to think of ourselves as entrepreneurs. But life has a way of nudging you forward, whether you’re ready or not.

In 1997, eight months pregnant, I was called into a meeting by my then-boss at an ENT practice. He told me he was doing me a favor by putting me on “permanent maternity leave.” Naïve and confused, I shook his hand and thanked him—thinking it was good news. When I got home and told my husband, he gently broke the truth: I had just been fired.

Fired?! Yep. And while I didn’t know it then, it was a favor.

That very night, fate intervened in the form of an incredible audiologist mentor, Eliza Schwab, who owned a small private practice—Longmont Hearing Center. She hired me as her receptionist, giving me a lifeline when I needed it most. I held that job for exactly one month. After returning from maternity leave, Eliza offered me a new role: providing audiology services to nursing homes across the Front Range. The catch? It was commission-only. No office. No salary. No benefits. My income depended 100% on how productive I could be.

That experience was a crash course in grit, business, marketing, and customer service. It taught me how to hustle, how to serve, and how to connect with people in a meaningful way.

Then, just after 9/11 in 2001, Eliza offered to sell me the practice. I was terrified. It had never been my dream to own a business, and self-doubt was loud. But with my husband, son, and family behind me, I took the leap. I got an SBA loan, signed the papers, and officially became the owner of Longmont Hearing and Tinnitus Center on April 1, 2002—April Fool’s Day. Clearly, the universe has a sense of humor.

What sets us apart today is the heart behind what we do. We’re not just a hearing clinic. We are a team dedicated to helping people reconnect to the things that matter most—conversations with loved ones, the joy of music, the ability to be present. We blend science, compassion, and community in everything we do.

Through our nonprofit, Hearing the Call Colorado, we’re expanding that impact by offering hearing healthcare to income-qualified individuals and supporting global outreach efforts. I’m most proud of the way we show up—for our patients, our community, and each other.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to surround yourself with good people. That hasn’t always been easy or perfect, but every experience has taught me something valuable. I’ve learned to stay curious, keep growing, and always show up ready to help.

If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s this: You don’t have to have it all figured out to make a difference. Sometimes the best things come out of the hardest moments. You just have to be willing to keep saying yes—and trust that you’ll grow into the person you need to be.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh, I’d absolutely plan a week they’d never forget—starting and ending right here in Longmont. We’d kick things off at Kuper Wine Bar for some great pours and even better conversation, followed by dinner and people-watching at Parkway Food Hall. And no visit to Longmont would be complete without a brewery tour—our town is home to some of the best craft beer in the world. Seriously, it’s a beer lover’s dream.

Mid-week, we’d venture out. A hike in the Rocky Mountains is a must—nothing clears your mind like Colorado’s high country air. Then we’d head to Boulder for a stroll down Pearl Street Mall, complete with a relaxing tea experience at the Dushanbe Tea House (it’s as beautiful as it is peaceful).

A concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre would be non-negotiable. Seeing live music under the stars in that setting is pure magic—and yes, we’d bring hearing protection!

Later in the week, we’d go full Colorado-adventure mode: ride the Alpine Slide in Breckenridge for a little adrenaline, then wind down with an evening soak at Durango Hot Springs. There’s something about relaxing in natural hot springs under a mountain sky that just recharges your soul.

From amazing food and drinks to iconic Colorado experiences, this itinerary blends the best of the Front Range with a little mountain magic. It’s the perfect mix of fun, nature, music, and local flavor—and honestly, it’s the kind of trip that makes you fall in love with Colorado all over again.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people who have helped shape me into the person, audiologist, and philanthropist I am today—but none more than my mom, Patty Hutchens. She was a single mother who worked incredibly hard and sacrificed so much to make sure I had every opportunity to chase my dreams. Her strength, resilience, and unwavering belief in me laid the foundation for everything I’ve done. When I think about what it means to lead with compassion and serve others, I think of her.

Professionally, I’ve also been deeply impacted by the community I’ve found through Entheos Audiology Cooperative. It’s not just an organization—it’s a group of people who genuinely care about making the world a better place through hearing healthcare. Being part of Entheos has uplifted me, challenged me, and inspired me to grow as both a provider and a practice owner. The support and encouragement I’ve received there has been nothing short of transformational.

I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without the people who’ve poured into me, believed in me, and walked alongside me.

Website: https://www.longmonthearing.com

Instagram: @longmonthearing

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-anne-rudden-au-d-5096b919/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/longmonthearing

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/longmont-hearing-and-tinnitus-center-longmont

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Longmonthearing

Image Credits
Mark McCarthy
John Robson