ENT & Audiology Associates

What ENT & Audiology Associates does

ENT & Audiology Associates was an independent physician-owned ENT and audiology medical practice based in Raleigh, North Carolina, founded in 1999 by Dr. Douglas K. Holmes, MD and Dr. Randi L. Holmes, AuD. The practice provided comprehensive ear, nose, and throat medical and surgical care alongside audiology services for adult and pediatric patients across the greater Raleigh and Triangle region of North Carolina. Clinical offerings spanned in-office procedures (balloon sinuplasty, Eustachian tube balloon dilation, VivAer nasal procedure, ear tubes, allergy testing and sublingual immunotherapy, Botox for retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction), hospital-based surgeries (cochlear implants, tonsillectomy, parotid surgery, tumor resections) at Rex Hospital and Blue Ridge Surgery Center, and a dispensing audiology channel (Phonak Lyric invisible hearing aids, bone anchored hearing aids, custom hearing protection, vestibular and ABR testing).

The practice operated with approximately 19 staff including two otolaryngologists and three audiologists, and generated revenue from professional services (consultations, procedures), hardware sales (hearing aids), and insurance reimbursements across a broad payer mix including Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, MedCost, Tricare, and United Healthcare. Patient acquisition relied on a hybrid direct-to-consumer motion combining in-office visits, a content-rich website with blog and patient testimonials, Google AdWords remarketing, and referrals from primary care providers and WakeMed/Rex Hospital emergency departments. The practice used Athenahealth for patient portal and records management and offered Care Credit and Wells Fargo Health Advantage financing for hearing aid purchases.

After 24 years of continuous operation, ENT & Audiology Associates permanently ceased operations on September 29, 2023 when Dr. Douglas Holmes departed to teach at the University of South Alabama and multiple attempts to recruit a replacement ENT physician were unsuccessful. Patient records from October 2017 through September 2023 were transferred to Cariend for a five-year custody period.

Name

ENT & Audiology Associates

Legal name

ENT & Audiology Associates PLLC

Website

https://entandaudiology.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ENT & Audiology Associates was a physician-owned ENT and audiology practice in Raleigh, NC, serving adult and pediatric patients with ear, nose, throat, and hearing care from 1999 until its permanent closure in September 2023.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

ENT and Audiology Medical Services

NAICS

Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists) (621111), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAKAMAA

General Otolaryngology (ENT)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Specialist Medical Practice/Otolaryngology (ENT)

SECONDARYHLAKAMAI

Audiology & Hearing Services (ENT-Affiliated)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Specialist Medical Practice/Otolaryngology (ENT)

SECONDARYHLAKAMAC

Otology & Neurotology (Ear/Hearing/Balance)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Specialist Medical Practice/Otolaryngology (ENT)

SECONDARYHLAKAMAB

Pediatric Otolaryngology

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Specialist Medical Practice/Otolaryngology (ENT)

Keywords

• ENT medical services
• Audiology services
• Hearing aids
• Cochlear implants
• Ear nose throat care

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Patient Visits and Consultations: Revenue generated from office consultations and examinations for ENT and audiology services for adults and children
2. In-Office Surgical Procedures: Revenue from in-office procedures including balloon sinuplasty, ear tubes, allergy testing and treatment, custom molds for hearing protection, and other minor surgical interventions performed at the practice's office
3. Hospital and Surgical Center Procedures: Revenue from surgical procedures performed at Rex Hospital and Blue Ridge Surgery Center including cochlear implants, tonsillectomies, parotid surgery, and tumor resections
4. Hearing Aids and Assistive Devices: Revenue from dispensing hearing aids including Lyric invisible hearing aids, bone anchored hearing aids, and related assistive listening devices; practice offered Care Credit and Wells Fargo Health Advantage financing options
5. Audiology Testing and Evaluations: Revenue from diagnostic audiology services including adult and pediatric hearing evaluations, tinnitus evaluations, vestibular and balance testing, auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing
6. Insurance and Patient Payments: Revenue collected from accepted insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurers; also accepted cash, checks, credit cards, Care Credit, and Wells Fargo interest-free payment plans

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ENT & Audiology Associates was a private otolaryngology and audiology medical practice providing diagnostic evaluations, medical treatment, in-office procedures, outpatient surgery, hearing aid dispensing, and cochlear implant services for children and adults with ear, nose, throat, hearing, and balance disorders in the Raleigh, North Carolina region.

Product overview

ENT & Audiology Associates was an independent ENT and Audiology medical practice in Raleigh, NC that treated children and adults for ear, nose, and throat problems through medications, surgery, and hearing devices. The practice offered a comprehensive range of services including ENT medical/surgical care and audiology services. Key products included Lyric invisible hearing aids (by Phonak), cochlear implants (by Cochlear Corporation), and bone anchored hearing aids. The practice provided in-office procedures such as balloon sinuplasty, ear tubes, tonsillectomy, allergy treatments, and Botox injections for no burp (RCPD). The practice was permanently closed as of September 29, 2023 after 24 years of operation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) Medical and Surgical Services Comprehensive medical and surgical treatment for ear, nose, throat, sinus, larynx, oral cavity, upper pharynx, and related head and neck structures. Services cover sinuses & nasal blockage, ear infections, tonsils & adenoids, eustachian tube dysfunction, nasal valve collapse, head & neck masses, perforated eardrum, dizziness, heartburn & reflux (GERD), Meniere's disease, and no burp (R-CPD) for adults and pediatric patients.
• Audiology Services and Hearing Evaluations Evaluation and treatment of hearing, balance, and related disorders for adults, infants, and children of all ages. Includes hearing loss evaluation, tinnitus evaluation, vestibular and balance testing, and auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing.
• Lyric Invisible Hearing Aids Phonak Lyric 24/7 invisible hearing aids worn continuously for months at a time. Designed for adults with mild to moderately-severe hearing loss, 100% invisible, water resistant, and providing natural sound using the ear's natural anatomy.
• Cochlear Implants FDA-approved surgically implanted medical devices that treat moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss by replacing damaged cochlea function and approximating natural hearing; also offered for single-sided deafness (SSD).
• Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA) Hearing devices that assist in processing sound coming into the deaf side, used as an alternative for patients with single-sided deafness when cochlear implants are not covered by insurance.
• Custom Hearing Protection Custom-fit hearing protection products including musician's earplugs with flat attenuation filters, custom earbuds, hunter's earplugs (including digital electronic hearing protection), and swim plugs. Brands offered include Starkey, Westone, Microsonic, and ESP.
• Balloon Sinuplasty (In-Office Sinus Surgery) In-office sinus surgery procedure using a balloon catheter to enlarge sinus openings and improve sinus drainage. Also used for urgent treatment of sinus infections affecting the eye or brain.
• Ear Tubes (Tympanostomy Tubes) Surgical insertion of tiny hollow cylinders into the eardrum to ventilate the middle ear and prevent fluid accumulation. Recommended for children with persistent fluid buildup or frequent ear infections.
• Tonsillectomy Surgical removal of tonsils, often performed for patients with recurrent strep throat or tonsil-related breathing/sleep issues.
• Allergy Testing and Treatment Skin or blood testing to identify specific allergens causing allergic reactions, followed by customized treatment plans including avoidance strategies, medications, or immunotherapy options.
• Allergy Drops (Sublingual Immunotherapy) Home-administered allergy drops that gradually build the body's tolerance to allergens, providing an alternative to allergy shots with reduced doctor visits.
• Botox Esophagus Injections Botox injections into the cricopharyngeus muscle for treatment of retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (R-CPD/no burp) and swallowing difficulties. Dr. Holmes is one of few providers in the eastern US offering this treatment.
• Vestibular and Balance Testing Comprehensive testing to evaluate dizziness and balance disorders, helping determine causes and appropriate treatment plans.
• Tinnitus Evaluations Comprehensive evaluation including pitch matching, minimum masking levels, loudness discomfort levels, and residual inhibition testing to determine tinnitus causes and best management options.
• VivAer Nasal Procedure In-office procedure for nasal valve collapse that uses temperature-controlled radiofrequency energy to improve nasal airflow.
• Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Testing Objective electrophysiological measure of auditory pathway from the cochlea through the brainstem, used for hearing evaluation especially in infants and difficult-to-test patients.
• Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation Minimally invasive procedure to dilate the Eustachian tube to improve middle ear pressure equalization and reduce dysfunction symptoms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero sinus or upper respiratory infections approximately 8 months post balloon sinuplasty for severe chronic sinusitis patient
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cochlear CorporationcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 May 2022Cochlear Corporation provided cochlear implant devices and electrodes, conducted training workshops and practical temporal bone labs for ENT surgeons learning cochlear implantation, and provided on-site OR support during implantation procedures with experienced representatives instructing and assisting the OR team and confirming electrode placement through nerve monitoring.
• Rex HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRex Hospital (4420 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607) was the primary hospital partner for outpatient surgical procedures including cochlear implants, major tumor resections, and complex ENT surgeries requiring general anesthesia and full operating room facilities.
• Blue Ridge Surgery CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlue Ridge Surgery Center (2308 Wesvill Court) was used for outpatient surgical procedures requiring operating room facilities outside of the hospital setting.
• WakeMed Key Community CareminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe practice was a proud member of WakeMed Key Community Care accountable care organization, participating in care coordination and quality improvement initiatives.
• Care CreditminorOthersCare Credit healthcare financing was offered as a payment option for patients to cover out-of-pocket costs, allowing special financing plans to pay over time.
• Wells Fargo Health AdvantageminorOthersWells Fargo Health Advantage program was offered as a payment option specifically for hearing aids, allowing patients to pay over time with interest-free financing.
• Google AdWordsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGoogle AdWords was used for remarketing services to advertise on third party websites (including Google) to previous visitors who had visited the practice website but hadn't completed tasks such as making an appointment request.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• HearingLife: National hearing aid retailer and audiology services provider with a Raleigh location. Comparable as an audiology/hearing aid dispensing competitor serving the same Triangle-area patient population.
• Rex ENT (UNC Health Rex): Hospital-affiliated ENT service line of UNC Health Rex, with locations in Cary and Wakefield. Comparable as a same-geography otolaryngology provider with the backing of a major health system and access to operating room capacity similar to what ENT & Audiology used at Rex Hospital.

Direct peers

• Duke Otolaryngology of Raleigh: Duke Health's ENT practice operating in Raleigh. Comparable as a same-geography, same-specialty provider of adult and pediatric otolaryngology services, listed by ENT & Audiology Associates as a recommended successor for its patients.
• Carolina Hearing Group: Raleigh-area audiology practice dispensing hearing aids and providing hearing evaluations. Directly comparable to the audiology side of ENT & Audiology's offering and named as a successor referral.
• UNC Pediatric ENT: Pediatric-focused ENT clinic operating in Raleigh. Comparable for pediatric otolaryngology services (ear tubes, tonsillectomy, hearing evaluations) that were a meaningful portion of ENT & Audiology's case mix.
• Heritage Audiology: Independent audiology practice with locations in Brier Creek and Wake Forest. Comparable as a Triangle-area audiology competitor providing hearing evaluations, hearing aids, and tinnitus services.
• Raleigh Capitol ENT: Multi-location ENT practice in the Raleigh market. Comparable in scope (general ENT, sinus, allergy, hearing) and same regional patient base; was specifically named as a referral destination for ENT & Audiology's former patients.
• Mann ENT: Independent ENT group serving Cary and Clayton in the Raleigh-Durham Triangle. Directly comparable as a multi-location ENT practice offering similar services (balloon sinuplasty, allergy, hearing) to a similar adult/pediatric patient base.
• Wake ENT: Independent ENT group with offices in Cary and Sanford. Comparable as a Triangle-area ENT provider offering medical and surgical otolaryngology to adults and children, named as a patient referral option after the practice closed.
• Triangle Sinus Center: Raleigh-area practice focused on sinus and nasal conditions. Directly comparable for in-office balloon sinuplasty, nasal procedures (e.g., VivAer), and related ENT services that overlapped with ENT & Audiology's service mix.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/entandaudiology

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ENT & Audiology Associates