Nancy Duncan, Au.D.

Dr. Nancy Duncan grew up in Somerset and graduated from Somerset High School in 1991 before attending Worcester State College where she graduated in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and psychology. Two years later, she earned her master’s degree in audiology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock followed by her clinical doctorate (Au.D.) from Salus University in 2005.

Nancy began her college journey focusing on a career as a speech language pathologist, but her plans soon changed following a required audiology course. During that course, she realized that she liked the fact that she could help people improve their lives dramatically and fairly quickly in the hearing realm. So, once she finished her undergraduate degree, Nancy decided to pursue audiology for her graduate degree. 

Following her Master’s degree, Nancy worked for several private audiology practices in Arkansas, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts before returning to the local area in 2003 when she founded Duncan Hearing Healthcare. Owning her own practice meant she could apply her passion to her community through rehabilitative audiology and individual patient care. It’s this passion for her family and community that is an integral part of what drives her to provide trustworthy, professional hearing healthcare to her patients.

As the owner of Duncan Hearing Healthcare, her day-to-day responsibilities can vary dramatically depending on what needs to be done at that moment.  However, her first priority is seeing the patients in her schedule followed by training and managing her team so the patient always has the best possible outcome during their visit.  

Most days, Nancy sees a variety of patients for hearing diagnostics, hearing aid recommendations, and tinnitus testing and treatment. Although tinnitus evaluation and management along with adult communication needs assessments are her primary areas of specialty, she is able to see all patients with any hearing concern.

While Nancy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team, she is continually working on ways to develop herself and the team, ensuring the team is always aiming toward the most improved patient experience.

Nancy acknowledges the job can be tough at times, but her team is extremely gratified by the results they can deliver, and she is proud to have been able to grow over the years and watch the development of both her staff and patients.

“I love seeing how far we have come! When I started this in 2003, it was just me, my dad, and my husband in an 800 square foot office. They took turns manning the phones while I saw patients in the early days.

“I’ve been able to grow the practice slowly over the years and have been able to hire my team as I’ve grown. One of my goals has been to always help my team grow and follow their dreams. We have been able to promote many from within, so they have been able to better their lives and I have enjoyed watching them become more confident in themselves!”

Nancy adds that she truly loves being able to make a difference in someone’s life. Often patients visit, not completely ready for help at their initial visit or who have resigned themselves that things can’t be better. So, for Nancy, she says there is no greater feeling than seeing someone’s face light up when they can hear again.

“When I put hearing aids on someone for the first time and I see their eyes light up and I ask, “Can you hear me?” is what makes me keep showing up every day.

“They realize what they have been missing and that they no longer have to live the way they have been. I mean what other job do you get to make that kind of a difference each and every single day?”

Outside of the office, Nancy enjoys spending time with her husband Andy and son Cooper as well as their pets Addie Mae (dog) and Gladys Fay (cat). Together, she and her husband enjoy watching their son play baseball for Bishop Stang High School, although he only has one year left before leaving for college after he graduates in 2024. Andy and Nancy also enjoy riding their mopeds on the country roads near their home and hiking with their dog on the many trails available in Dartmouth.