Speaker: Linda Ott
How painful, limiting, or life impacting was your hearing loss or tinnitus before visiting our office?
Linda Ott: My hearing loss. I noticed quite a bit when we were in groups with my family. Um, if I was at a restaurant there was a lot of extraneous noise. I wasn't always understanding what people were saying. I was missing some of the words and things. I didn't really think it was that bad though until I went to the doctor.
What are the positive changes in hearing, reduced tinnitus, improved memory, robust relationships you've experienced with treatment?
Linda Ott: I feel like I've had a lot of positive changes in my hearing. I'm much more interpersonal now. I get into conversations with people because I'm understanding and hearing much better what they're talking about and I seem to have much more of a social life when we go out because of the participation. Um because I do hear so much better.
What were your top concerns when deciding to treat your hearing loss?
Linda Ott: Like I'm concerned when deciding to treat my hearing loss, basically had to do with people knowing that I was wearing hearing aids. However, hearing aids are so much smaller than, than I anticipated and nobody even knows I have them in my ears.
How would you describe your treatment experience with Hearing and Brain Centers?
Linda Ott: My experience with the hearing and brain centers has been wonderful. I, they're very knowledgeable. I'm a nurse and they taught me a lot of things about hearing in my brain. Um, and it's been really transparent. They've been very helpful whenever there's an issue or concern. All I have to do is call, although I haven't had too many of those and they're with you every step of the way.
How important was Dr. Darrow's book and pre-education to your treatment journey?
Linda Ott: Pre education to any treatment journey I think is a must. I'm a nurse and truly, I didn't understand everything about my hearing loss and how it affected my brain and how in the future I could have other problems related to the hearing loss. So it, it was extremely important to make me understand how important it was for me to get the hearing aids.
What is the #1 thing you would tell friends or family who struggle with hearing loss/tinnitus about seeking treatment right away?
Linda Ott: Number one thing I would tell people and I have told my husband, as a matter of fact, who I believe is struggling with hearing loss. It's so important to get treated immediately because it impacts the rest of your life if you don't. So I believe it's extremely important.
