Mary F
"They are professional, knowledgeable, and a true pleasure to work with.”
I first realized I had a hearing challenge about 45 years ago after returning to work as a teacher. My son had just started school full-time, and I went back to teaching. During faculty meetings at long conference tables with up to 30 people, I found it difficult to fully participate. To me, people sounded like they were mumbling, but when I asked colleagues if they were also struggling to hear, I realized it was just me. It took me a couple of years before I finally decided to get a hearing evaluation—I felt like I was too young at 40 to have a hearing problem. I had only associated hearing loss with older people, like my father, who didn’t experience it until his late 60s.
Over the 30 years before moving to Florida, I became very proficient in using hearing aids. I worked with different providers and learned a lot about hearing loss and treatment. I also became selective in recognizing a truly competent provider versus one who only worked with a limited number of brands and pushed them onto clients, even when they weren’t the best fit. Finding a qualified hearing aid dealer after retiring to Florida was an anxious process because I had someone I completely trusted in my original hometown.
At first, I went with a provider through my health insurance, but after three years, I wasn’t completely satisfied. I visited other places but never found the right fit. I even went to the Mayo Clinic, a two-hour drive, for a surgical consult to see if there were medical treatment options for me. I ended up getting a Stapedectomy, which meant I needed new hearing aids. Their hearing aid office was professional and competent, but they strongly recommended I find a provider closer to home, as hearing aids often require frequent adjustments. They also emphasized the importance of working with someone who offered multiple brands instead of just one or two, as finding the right aid and the right technician takes time and patience.
When I found Encore Hearing Care, I immediately felt at ease. They truly listened to my history and experiences and assessed my needs based on the various tests I had done over the years. They explained the products available and allowed me to try different brands instead of pushing me toward just one. Appointments were easy to schedule, they took the time to tweak and evaluate my fitting, and their professionalism—especially from Leanne Polhill and her team—was outstanding. I was completely convinced I had found the perfect fit.
With my profound hearing loss, I cannot function without hearing aids. But because I found the right office and the right aids, I can still travel the world, carry a backup set, and feel completely confident in my ability to communicate. Many people don’t even realize I am so deaf because my hearing is managed so well.
For anyone concerned about their hearing, I would tell them to make an appointment with Encore as soon as possible. They are professional, knowledgeable, and a true pleasure to work with. I know they regularly attend continuing education programs, and I’ve even learned that Leanne is trusted by her peers to lead some of these sessions, which speaks volumes about her expertise. My favorite thing about working with them has been their professionalism and the true joy they bring to their work.
