For more than 15 years, what I thought was a propensity toward introversion and unsociable behavior on my husband’s part, I came to realize, was hearing loss.  He could not follow conversations because he could not hear enough of what was being said.  So, he would wander off rather than disrupt the flow of conversations by constantly asking that people speak louder.  

When I first convinced him to try hearing aids, he wore them for a week or two; after which, the hearing aids stayed in the bedside drawer for the next 4 years.  They just didn’t work for him. Then one day, we received a mailer from Tim Strazzo at AccuQuest, announcing these great new hearing aids. Naturally, when I suggested that we try one more time, he was hesitant. 

Ten minutes into our first meeting with Tim, I knew this was going to be a very different experience for Don. I understood why the first attempt failed.  The fact that these aids were adjustable in various ways was remarkable and has been of extreme value to Don.  But the newer and better technology was not the true explanation of why the first experience was such an abject failure and this experience a wonderful success.

The quality of service and product that we have received far exceeds any reasonable expectations.  Don wears his hearing aids everyday.  He participates in family conversation rather than wandering off.   He doesn’t lean toward his students in order to hear their questions, which could be disconcerting for some students.  He is more engaged with people.  

For my part, I only came to realize how much Don was missing in life due to hearing loss.  While we were on a walk in the woods, one day, every third or fourth step he would stop to turn around as though he were looking to see if anyone was following us.  He had forgotten the sound of birds in the bushes.  Another day, when we stepped out of the house, he asked what that noise was.  I said, “It’s the wind in the trees.”

Thank you, TimStrazzo and AccuQuest