Patient Stories

Clearly hear and communicate.

Carmen recently was fitted with hearing aids at our Belleville office, and her world is now a multitude of sounds – sounds she didn’t even realize she was missing. She shared with us a list of some of the sounds she can now hear. She writes: Things that have been different

1. The TV volume has improved.
2. I can hear when my furnace comes on.
3. I can hear the dryer buzzing.
4. I can hear the microwave and coffee pot.

However, it’s not just hearing the buzzes and beeps that has enhanced her life. Carmen can now communicate better with loved ones and in social settings. She says, “I can understand my husband and others more clearly. I assist in Sunday school with 5-12-year-olds. I could clearly hear and communicate with the kids, and the background noise was not overpowering.” Carmen is also grateful for the personalized care she has received. She says, “I love Beltone,” and she gives special kudos to team members Mrs. Harvey and Robin. “I trust them,” she adds. Following her positive experience with both her comprehensive hearing assessment and new devices, Carmen concludes, “I understand my hearing loss and the importance of wearing them.”

The staff are always there to help.

I first realized something was up with my hearing when my wife told me. My first impression was that the clinic was small but clean, neat, with friendly staff. Since getting hearing aids, they've really helped me in noisy situations. If you're concerned about your hearing and considering a visit, I'd say, "Go, it can't hurt." The staff are always there to help whenever I have a problem!

The difference has been amazing.

About ten years ago, I had a terrible head cold and couldn't hear at all. I was blasting the TV just to hear it. I went to a place to be tested and was fitted with one hearing aid. Two years later, we moved to be closer to family, but my hearing still wasn't right, and I kept asking people to repeat themselves. That's when I made an appointment with Beltone and discovered I needed two hearing aids. It's been eight years now, and I'm on my second set. The difference has been amazing. My late husband, who passed away five years ago, was so happy I could hear him clearly, and my kids and grandkids feel the same way. Before contacting Beltone, I was just hoping to be helped. My first impression of the clinic was very positive—everyone was friendly, caring, and I never felt rushed. Since getting hearing aids, I can hear in church, while out with friends, at stores, and no longer need to turn the TV on so loud. To anyone concerned about their hearing and considering a visit to Beltone, I’d say, "By all means, go for it. Get tested and find out what you need."

Now that's service!

I first realized something was wrong with my ears when I couldn't hear the TV—it sounded muffled. Having purchased hearing aids about 7-8 years ago, I had no concerns before contacting Beltone. I knew I could count on Brandon, who is excellent at his job. Wearing hearing aids has made a significant difference in my life; things are clearer now, and I don't have to ask people what they said or turn up the TV volume. For anyone concerned about their hearing and considering a visit, I would explain my situation and the help Beltone provided me. I love that they set up all the features that are included with the hearing aids on my phone. I can change the volume, set sound for different things, even find them if I forgot where I left them etc. They are only a phone call away and close by where I live. They even come to where I live in a senior independent apartment. Now that's service!

Top notch

Audrey is so pleased with Beltone that she has to share her positive experience with everyone she meets. She says, “My friend was looking for hearing aids, who is fussy, and she bought from Beltone too. I tell everyone about the service and care you’ll receive. I love the hearing aids so much.” Audrey finally found the all-round care she was looking for at Beltone, saying, “I will not go anywhere else. I’ve been to many other places and Flint Beltone is top notch. They truly care and provide such great service. Peter, Sherry, and Chris are the best.” She concludes, “Thank you so much for all you do. I always look forward to my appointments.” Thank you, Audrey, for your kind words. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Nice place. Nice people.

Hearing loss often develops slowly over time, as it did for Paul. “When I was asking people to repeat too many times, I knew I needed to do something,” he recalls. Prior to his appointment at Beltone Hearing Center, he didn’t have any worries because he felt he had nothing to lose. He emphasizes, “The offer is a free, no cost hearing test.” Paul was impressed with his first appointment, saying, “Nice place. Nice people,” and his results are exactly what he was hoping for. “I can hear much better again. The Bluetooth control of my model makes using them a perfect experience.” Paul encourages others to make an appointment. He insists, “Go on in. Take the free test. Understand what help you can get. If not satisfied, say goodbye.”

Improved my hearing.

Antonio realized he had a hearing loss when he struggled with “hearing people correctly.” This made following conversations difficult in terms of understanding and feeling confident enough to voice his own thoughts. Prior to visiting Beltone Hearing Center, he was concerned “that wearing a hearing aid would be noticeable.” Overall, Antonio is happy with his new hearing aids. He says they’ve “improved my hearing and helped me to be more controversial.” To anyone contemplating an appointment, he encourages, “Try it, I think you’ll like it.”

It was a very in-depth appointment.

When it came to Tim’s hearing loss, he says the hardest part was “that I knew it would never get better.” Additionally, he says, “I was somewhat worried that the process would be just to get me to buy hearing aids. But it was a very in-depth appointment that went far beyond just buying hearing aids.” Recalling his first impressions of Beltone Hearing Center, he says it “looked like a clean facility” and “the staff was very nice.” Now, with his new hearing aids, life is much easier for Tim. He especially notes “that on most occasions, I do not speak as loudly as I once did.” Tim’s advice to others? “Be open minded. Let them do the checks and see whether you’re a candidate.”

It’s nice to know you can hear everything going on around you.

Steve became aware of the seriousness of his hearing loss somewhat unexpectedly. He recalls, “It was a little scary, an alarm on a piece of equipment was going off and I didn’t hear it. Made me wonder what other warnings I may not be hearing.” Soon after, Steve made an appointment at Beltone Hearing Center. “I knew I had some hearing loss from being in the military. I just didn’t know it had gotten worse,” he explains. Following a comprehensive hearing assessment, Steve was fitted with hearing aids. Pleased with his experience at Beltone, he says, “It’s nice to know you can hear everything going on around you.” Rating Beltone Hearing Center a 10/10, Steve comments, “If you’re needing hearing aids, I think Beltone is quite helpful.”

Everyone was ready to help me achieve my goal to hear clearly again.

Working in a noisy environment began to take its toll on Judith’s hearing. “My hearing suffered for many years,” says Judith. “Working in a manufacturing facility before there were earplugs, etc., I started with ringing in the ears and then the usual turning up the TV to hear it,” she recalls. While Judith didn’t have any worries about seeking help, as she “knew that I would be fully tested,” the financial impact did leave her concerned. But then she says, “My advantage plan started offering the test and the paying of part of the hearing aids. I knew it was time.” Judith’s first appointment at Beltone Hearing Center did not disappoint. “My first impressions were all good. Everyone was ready to help me achieve my goal to hear clearly again,” she notes. Glad she didn’t put off hearing aids any longer, Judith says, “Hearing aids have been a godsend for me. I knew for a long time that it would only get worse if I didn’t do something. Now, when I take my hearing aids out for the night, I realize how deaf I had become.” Judith has these words of advice for anyone considering an appointment at Beltone Hearing Center: “Don’t hesitate. If your hearing loss is not significant, they will not pressure you to buy them. There is a range of hearing aids to fit your budget. First check with your health insurance provider to find out if they pay for part of them and how much they pay. That was the biggest thing for me.”

I can’t express enough how much of a blessing Beltone hearing aids have been in my life.

My journey with hearing loss was beginning to take a toll on me, especially during important moments like my church service. The frustration of not being able to fully engage was disheartening. That’s when Beltone stepped in and truly transformed my world. I was pleasantly surprised when I received a notification from Beltone for a hearing test. Little did I know that this simple step would lead to such a profound change. Not only did Beltone provide me with a free set of hearing aids, but they also handed me back the gift of sound and connection. The first time I put on those hearing aids, I was in awe of the newfound sounds that surrounded me. It was like rediscovering the world all over again. The experience was nothing short of amazing. However, the true test of these remarkable devices came when I attended church that Sunday, for the first time in a long time I could hear the whole service, every single word! I am deeply grateful to Beltone for their generosity and their commitment to making a difference in people’s lives. The gift of hearing aids not only restored my ability to hear but also rekindled my spirit and sense of belonging. Beltone didn’t just provide hearing aids; they provided me with a chance to fully participate in life again. Thank you, Beltone, for turning my world around and giving me the invaluable gift of sound. You’ve made a profound impact on my life, and I am forever thankful.

Life is fun again, even if I’m 84.

Walter became concerned about his hearing when simple conversations became difficult to understand. He recalls, “I would hear sounds of someone talking in church or at home and had to struggle to understand what was being said; even if we were only 20 or so feet apart, it made no difference if we were in the same room or not.”

Back then he sought help and was fitted with hearing aids. Many years went by, along with several different pairs of hearing aids, and Walter's hearing needs changed with time. Then he decided to turn to Beltone for the latest modern-day solution despite some reservations.

During his comprehensive hearing assessment, not only was his hearing thoroughly assessed, but his daily hearing challenges, lifestyle, and interests were also considered when determining a suitable solution. The result? Walter was prescribed Enusion Platinum hearing aids.

Since then, Walter is thriving with better hearing, thanks to our team and his new devices. He no longer has a problem following conversations, and his new hearing aids clearly outshine his old pair.

Recalling his previous hearing aids, he says, “I had to turn the volume up on my old hearing aids to hear the television and still had problems or use My Pal to hear the television, but with my new Enusion Platinums, this problem has been somewhat solved. Settings, of course, depend a lot on the size of the room, background noise, and distance I am from the television.”

Walter was initially apprehensive about trying the latest technology, but now he’s glad he did. He says, “I had my doubts about the Enusion Platinum hearing aids but find them superior to all my previous aids that I have used over the past 40 years. I now can talk more freely with people and do not have to keep saying, ‘Will you repeat that?’”

Better hearing has reconnected Walter to his family and friends, as well as the world of sound. “In the past, I avoided people because I did not understand what was being said,” he recalls. “Life is much more enjoyable for me now due to the fact I understand what is being discussed and can argue with them just like in the good old days. I like being a real pain in the backside; it's enjoyable. Life is fun again, even if I'm 84.”

Walter believes that consistency plays a key role in his success. He is delighted with his new hearing aids and is committed to wearing them all day. He explains, “I found if my hearing aids are installed in the morning or when I get up, my hearing appears to be better; at least I know my hearing has improved with time. In my case, any improvement is a plus. On-again and off-again use does not work very well for me. I put them in and leave them in for the entire day.”

For Walter, the habit has become part of daily life. He concludes with a bit of humor, “I wear my hearing aids all day, even when I am home alone. If your hearing aids are in your ears or in the charger, they will not be lost or damaged, as long as you are not stupid enough to step in front of a moving auto.”