Tony JohnsOwner & Hearing Instrument Specialist, Boise Hears
Owner of Boise Hears in Meridian, who tells hunters and shooters to wear hearing protection every time and treats hearing loss as a challenge the whole family shares.
The conversation
15 minutes with host Joe Brown. Start anywhere: chapters on the right.
- 0:00Welcome
- 1:28Choosing a hearing care provider
- 3:19Why Tony got into hearing care
- 4:55Hearing instrument specialist vs. audiologist vs. ENT
- 6:39Signs it's time for a hearing check
- 8:33Q-tips & earwax
- 9:36Hearing protection for hunters & first responders
- 10:57Helping a loved one in denial
- 13:06Hearing your family again
- 14:30Wrap-up
For general information, not a substitute for advice from your own doctor.
How he thinks
about care
- Role
- Owner & Hearing Instrument Specialist, Boise Hears (since 2024)
- Education
- Bachelor's in Business Management, Brigham Young University
- Background
- Career in patient health programs alongside health systems
- Team
- Works alongside Dr. Roger Theobald, AuD (Doctor of Audiology)
- Hometown
- Born and raised in Utah
Background from boisehears.com.
Tony focuses on tailored, patient-centered care. As he puts it, it's not just a hearing test and a device and "see us in a couple years"; his team wants to be there with patients along the way.
He explains the roles plainly: a hearing instrument specialist does hearing tests and fits hearing aids and hearing protection; a doctor of audiology like Dr. Theobald provides more in-depth diagnostics and tinnitus care; and when someone has a vertigo or other issue hearing instruments can't address, the practice refers to local ENT specialists.
His home advice is simple: skip the cotton swabs and let warm shower water do the work, and see a hearing professional if your ears feel clogged. For hunters, shooters and anyone running loud equipment: wear hearing protection every time.
Summary written by Top Providers from his Episode 06 interview.
In his words
Verbatim from his Episode 06 interview.
Things that we talk to our patients about: if you notice that you're turning up the television louder, or a loved one is.Tony Johns, Episode 06
We do not recommend cotton swabs. The safest thing to do at home is warm water.Tony Johns, Episode 06
Wear hearing protection, even if it is just the foamy. Try to do an over-the-ear double protection.Tony Johns, Episode 06
Hearing loss doesn't just affect the individual that has hearing loss. It's a shared challenge.Tony Johns, Episode 06
Clips
Under a minute each, cut straight from the interview.
ShortsShould you put Q-tips in your ears?
Why cotton swabs push wax deeper, and what to use at home instead.
ShortsHunters & shooters: protect your hearing
Wear hearing protection every time, even if it's just foamies plus earmuffs.
ShortsSigns it's time for a hearing check
Turning the TV up, asking people to repeat themselves, ringing in your ears.
ShortsWhen a loved one swears their hearing is fine
Hearing loss is a shared challenge: bring it up with empathy.
Saw him on a clip? This is the whole conversation.
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Patient reviews
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The practice
Details checked against boisehears.com, Oct 14, 2026.
Boise Hears
Hearing assessments, hearing aids, custom hearing protection, ear cleaning (Luxury Ear Spa) and tinnitus support. The team includes Dr. Roger Theobald, AuD, Doctor of Audiology. Serves Boise and Meridian and Eagle and Nampa and Treasure Valley.
- Address
- 1032 S Silverstone Way, Suite 160, Meridian, ID 83642
- Phone
- (208) 658-0238
- Hours
- Monday8am – 6pmTue · Wed · Thu8am – 5pm
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