Every day, we receive questions from people in the Pensacola and Gulf Breeze communities who are concerned about their hearing or the hearing of a loved one or family member.

And as much as we love giving our professional advice, sometimes it’s beneficial to hear from someone who has been in a similar situation to the one you’re in.

The problem is that not everyone knows someone personally who is experiencing a hearing loss or who wears a hearing aid.

We’ve asked some of our wonderful patients if they would be open to sharing their stories with us. Our hope is that these stories will give you the encouragement you need to seek treatment for a hearing loss or to encourage a loved one to get started on their journey to better hearing.

Please feel free to share this article with anyone who you think could benefit from reading it.

Our first story comes from a patient named Sarah.

Sarah was no stranger to The Hearing Center MC when she began to show signs of hearing loss in her “good” ear.

She says, “I was very familiar with The Hearing Center MCC because Dr. LaBorde and Dr. Holdt had managed my Cochlear Baha implant for five years, ever since I had moved to Pensacola from Illinois.”

When Sarah realized she needed support, she felt confident turning to our team.

“I realized I couldn’t keep up with conversations. I had to have the volume on the TV and radio turned up. If my back was turned, I couldn’t hear my husband walking through the room. I knew my hearing was deteriorating and I wondered if a hearing aid would really make a difference,” she recalls.

“I was confident that if I really was suffering from age-related hearing loss in my good ear that the staff at The Hearing Center would be able to help.”

Recounting her initial impressions of The Hearing Center MCC, Sarah says, “From my first appointment, I knew I had found the right people to manage my hearing concerns. The staff was very knowledgeable. Not only were they concerned with my hearing issues but also with me as a person.”

Fortunately, Sarah’s new hearing aid resolved many of the issues she was struggling with.

“I noticed immediate improvement in my hearing. I turned down the volume of the car radio as I left The Hearing Center wearing my new hearing aid.”

Sarah is also impressed with the latest technology features of her hearing aids. “The Bluetooth capability of the hearing aid made telephone calls so much easier to hear,” she adds.

Our next patient story comes from Julie.

Julie was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, which is an inner ear disorder that can cause dizziness and hearing loss along with other symptoms such as tinnitus. After this diagnosis, Julie realized that she might have a hearing problem.

Her first appointment at The Hearing Center MCC was a positive experience. She recalls, “I felt confidence in Dr. Jones, the audiologists, and the staff. My first impressions were that the office ran well and efficiently.”

Overall, Julie’s treatment can be considered a success. She notes, “My hearing aids have helped me handle the symptoms of Meniere’s.  I can focus better on hearing voices and sounds rather than the noises inside my ear.  I can also hear better and am not constantly saying, ‘I’m sorry, what did you say?’”

Julie encourages others to make an appointment with The Hearing Center MCC. “I would recommend The Hearing Center,” she says. “The audiologists, PAs, and doctors are all caring and make sure that your needs are met.”

Two Common Reasons People Avoid Seeking Hearing Help

Did you know that on average, most people will wait seven years from first discovering they have a hearing problem before they seek professional help? Untreated hearing loss can worsen over time, so it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Once your hearing is gone, it can’t come back, and you’ll wish you had acted sooner.

There are two primary reasons that most people put off getting treatment for their hearing loss.

#1 – They don’t want to wear hearing aids

Let’s face it, no one wants to wear a hearing aid. But the reality is that hearing aids can be incredibly effective in allowing you to hear better.

Many of us might feel self-conscious about how wearing a hearing aid will look, but the good news is that hearing aid technology has come a long way over the years. Many models are nearly undetectable to the naked eye. In fact, some of our patients who wear hearing aids have remarked that their friends and family didn’t even notice when they got them!

#2 – They’re worried about the financial investment

Hearing healthcare and great hearing technology does require some financial investment. Before you let that scare you, keep in mind that you won’t necessarily have to pay out of pocket. There are many options that may be available to you like insurance coverage, financing, and payment plans. 

Keep in mind that an investment in your hearing health is an investment in your overall health, happiness, and quality of life. When you visit us for a comprehensive hearing assessment, we’ll review the best options available to you based on your budget.

What’s Next?

I hope that the above patient stories encourage you to make a decision that you’ll thank yourself for in the years to come. If you’re ready to take the next step in your journey to better hearing health, schedule a comprehensive hearing assessment today. During your assessment, our hearing care leaders will assess your level of hearing loss and review your options with you.

If you have any questions that you feel our team may be able to answer, you can reach us at our Pensacola office at 850-474-8328 and our Gulf Breeze office at 850-969-2327. Or, you can request a callback.

We’re here to help!