Meet Eric Arriaga, AuD

Dr. Eric Arriaga didn’t always plan to become an audiologist — in fact, he discovered the profession the hard way. While pursuing a nursing degree with plans to become a nurse anesthetist, he was sidelined by a sudden case of vestibular neuritis. “I didn’t even know what an audiologist was,” he says, “until I became a patient myself.” A life-changing balance assessment opened the door to an entirely new calling — one that blended his medical interests with a newfound passion for helping people reconnect with their balance, hearing, and quality of life.

That experience changed everything. Dr. Arriaga earned his Doctorate in Audiology from LSU Health Sciences Center in downtown New Orleans and completed his clinical fellowship at the Biloxi VA. He began his career focused on vestibular diagnostics but found that no matter the specialty, the most rewarding part of audiology was always the same: “Helping people feel better about life, no matter what challenges are standing ahead of them.”

For Dr. Arriaga, great hearing care starts with empathy. “I try to treat every patient like family,” he says. “Not as a chart or a number, but as a friend walking in looking for help.” His goal is simple: for every patient to leave feeling heard, never rushed, and confident that their concerns were fully addressed — even if that means going past the scheduled time.

Dr. Arriaga now leads the day-to-day operations of the clinic, proudly carrying forward the legacy built by Dr. Kim Juneau. With deep respect for the practice’s roots, he’s also brought in the latest high-end diagnostic and fitting technology to give patients the most personalized, precise hearing care available.

At home, Dr. Arriaga is a proud New Orleanian — raised in a huge, close-knit family with two younger brothers and more nieces and nephews than he can count. His wife, Mallory, is an assistant principal with a PhD in special education, and their daughter, Brooklyn, is currently studying to become a nurse anesthetist at Mississippi State. Together, they share their home with three dachshunds — Dixie, Isla, and Sadie — and are planning to welcome a white German Shepherd to serve as the clinic’s official greeter.

When he’s not in the clinic, you’ll probably find Dr. Arriaga outdoors, recharging in nature. He’s especially drawn to the wild beauty of Yellowstone, but he’ll always come back to New Orleans — for the people, the culture, and, of course, a Parkway Bakery po’ boy.