Speaker: Anita Stiens
How painful, limiting, or life impacting was your hearing loss or tinnitus before visiting our office?
Anita Stiens: I've had tinnitus for many years. I remember, I think in, in high school that my ears were ringing and I mentioned it to my father and my father said, well, my ears ring all the time, but there's nothing you can do. Uh So as I got older, I would say when I was about 45 or so, I was still having tinnitus, but it just became a part of my life. But I wanted to have um my hearing tested because I thought I wasn't hearing very well. Uh So I went, I had my hearing tested and I did need to wear hearing aids. But unfortunately, when I put the hearing aids in it did nothing but make my tinnitus roar. So for years, I would say about 10 years, I went without having my hearing uh loss treated because the tinnitus was just unbearable when I wore hearing aids.
What are the positive changes in hearing, reduced tinnitus, improved memory, robust relationships you've experienced with treatment?
Anita Stiens: The most positive thing I've noticed is that my tinnitus is nearly gone. It is negligible and I, it's not something that I notice at all. As a matter of fact, I know that, wow, I forgot to put my hearing aids in that morning because my ears start ringing. These hearing aids are miraculous. I put them in, my tinnitus is gone. Um I didn't realize how much energy I was using to try to hear above my tinnitus. Uh And because of that, I, I was having so much difficulty understanding what was going on around me, understanding my family when they spoke to me, understanding my husband. Um and it just really impacted my life when I got these wonderful hearing aids, which I've now been wearing, I would say for six years, maybe longer. Um I just feel great relief. I'm able to engage in, in conversations. I've been able to engage uh even in loud, noisy places because I can hear very well and my ears aren't ringing all the time.
What were your top concerns when deciding to treat your hearing loss?
Anita Stiens: I decided to treat my hearing loss um because I really couldn't understand what was going on around me. Um And I knew that I was missing a lot. Uh So one day, um a seminar was held in Sun River where I live and um your company came and did a um educational about an hour's worth of education on tinnitus hearing loss, cognitive issues. Uh and the resulting um dementia that could occur. Uh So I went home and I said to my husband and my grandson who was living with us at the time, I said, gosh, do you think I need to go get my hearing checked? And almost simultaneously they both said yes. So at that time I realized that, wow, I guess I was missing a lot. I guess I wasn't understanding my family and um maybe I was getting a little aggravated at them thinking they weren't speaking clearly when it was actually me that had the problem. So my top concerns were to be able to better communicate with my family and to use less energy trying to hear
How would you describe your treatment experience with Hearing and Brain Centers?
Anita Stiens: My experience with hearing and brain centers has been so positive. I feel like they are very patient centered. They're concerned about where you're at in your treatment. They are so accommodating and they understand what people my age need. I'm 77 years old and I don't move as quickly. Uh, there's times when I don't, might forget an appointment. So they have wonderful reminders. They have a very concerned staff and, um, they're always available if you need them. What I love about the, um, office if I'm driving by and I think to myself, wow, I, I am almost out of supplies. I stop by the office. They take time to give me my supplies, to clean my hearing devices to kindly ask me how I'm doing. And if there's anything I need, um, I don't think there's another office that you can go to drop in at any time, get what you need and feel like you're so well cared for. I am so grateful to have found the hearing and brain centers.
How important was Dr. Darrow's book and pre-education to your treatment journey?
Anita Stiens: I um saw Doctor Darrow's book when I went to the uh education that was given at Sun River. I glanced through the book and, and I noticed a couple of sections that, that I was very interested in. I am a retired nurse and did a lot of work with dementia patients and Alzheimer's patients. And there was a section in that book um that alerted me to the fact that poor hearing can certainly affect your cognition. That was something I didn't realize and um now understand a whole lot better. I do believe also that Doctor Darrow's book um is very well written and uh for someone with professional background, I enjoyed learning from that. Uh But it also is written at a um a level that anyone can understand. But um the good part about having the book around is that it provides you with reference and answers questions that you might have um rolling around in your head and you pick up the book and there's more information there. Um It also directs you to uh videos and webinars that are available on your computer.
What is the #1 thing you would tell friends or family who struggle with hearing loss/tinnitus about seeking treatment right away?
Anita Stiens: If you're suffering with tinnitus and have hearing loss, please don't waste your time, call and get an appointment with the hearing and brain centers. I struggled for years without um taking care of my tenderness and my hearing loss and I really regret that. So this is a wonderful office. This is and they have very, very skilled practitioners. So um just go and get it done. You will be grateful. You will be thrilled.
