Hello Everyone,
This year, it seems that March decided to come in like a lamb and go out
like a lion. Thankfully, we are getting some rain this spring. But, wasn't
it sooooo nice to have those summery days?
We had a great Spring Event with Derek McKinney. It's always wonderful
to meet new people and see old friends and be able to be of help.
Jim had a great time at the Tri State Hearing Convention last month. He
was able to talk with many of the representatives from the manufacturers we
use and learn the latest information pertaining to the various technologies.
It was a profitable time. Then later, Starkey flew Jim out to their new
headquarters in Minnesota for a special four day training session on their
new digital products. He was able to meet with the folks there at Starkey
Labs who we deal with over the phone. These folks help accommodate us regarding
our special requests for you, our special customers.
Our Unitron consultant was here for one day last month. We always enjoy
seeing Tami. She is so knowledgeable about hearing loss and provides good
information about the Unitron products. There are some new ones on the horizon.
Unitron is coming out with a 16 channel open air system that we are very
much looking forward to working with. Tami also showed us their new 675 power
BTE---unlike other power 675's, this one is not big and clunky. It's very
sleek and really a nice looking hearing instrument. And, most importantly,
it performs well, too.
Something else new on our horizon at our office----We hope to be subleasing
two of our rooms in the near future. As many of you know, we really don't
need all of our spacious facility! We have been talking about subleasing
two of our rooms for some time now. Our landlord is working with us to find
a compatible tenant. That should make things a bit more interesting around
here, huh? <smile>
REFERRALS! REFERRALS! REFERRALS!.........As many of you know, we do NOT
use telemarketing to acquire new customers. Unlike our competition, we have
never used telemarketing as a means of advertising and selling hearing instruments.
Our philosophy is quite different in this industry. Jim's outlook and orientation
is not sales---it is helping people to hear better. Selling hearing instruments
is, quite honestly, an important part of our business, but it isn't our everyday,
main focus. Therefore, we rely on our newspaper advertising, occasional mailings,
and you, our customers! We need your help in this area. Please refer your
family and friends who need hearing help to us.
Here's our offer to you: If someone you refer
to us purchases a set of basic digital hearing instruments, we will give you a FREE box of batteries (40 cells). If they purchase a set of advanced digital hearing instruments, we will give you a FREE year's supply of batteries (usually 3-6 boxes, depending upon the size)! This offer is good now through the end of the year. Thank you for your help in advance!
If you know of someone who would like to receive our Newsletter via email,
please have them email me at beth@advancedhearingplus.com and I'll be happy
to include them in our monthly email.
Some of you may wonder what the BC-HIS stands for that you see after Jim's
name. Jim is Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Sciences. It is a very
challenging field. Not every hearing aid dispenser is board certified. All
have to be state licensed, however. To be board certified a licensed hearing
aid specialist must be active in dispensing hearing aids for at least two
years, and they must pass a very challenging and intensive national test.
They also must have high ethical standards.
While any licensed hearing aid dispenser can perform a hearing test and
prescribe hearing instruments, it takes someone very knowledgeable and practiced
in hearing instrument sciences to be able to make the various adjustments
and address a wide range of fitting issues. This requires a special gift
and craftsmanship. It truly is an art, and Jim is, quite frankly, very gifted.
I have worked with other hearing instrument specialists, and honestly, do
not know of any who have the level of expertise Jim has with so many different
products that are on the market today. Most dispensers and audiologists do
not work with the variety of products Jim works with. They pretty much stick
to one or two brands of hearing aids. However, we have found that because
everyone has different hearing needs, and not all manufacturers address every
need, it is necessary to offer the wide range of choices that we have available
to you. If one hearing aid brand doesn't deliver the results required, we
can always try something different. Having the expertise to offer this flexibility
is rare. It just isn't something you find very often in the hearing aid
field. We are very happy to be able to offer this kind of hearing help to
our community.
Thank you to all of you who have responded regarding the Newsletter. I
really do appreciate your comments and suggestions. Last month I neglected
to include our website address. Don't want to omit that again! Thank you
to our very helpful friend who alerted me. So, before I forget, our website
address is www.advancedhearingplus.com . Please pass this on to your friends
and relatives. We hope to be able to help many more folks during 2005!
And now, I want to include something special from Sandy Downing---Jim's
dad. As many of you know, Sandy established our business in 1987. He forwarded
me the following that was performed by Julie Andrews to commemorate her 69th
birthday on October 1st. She sang it to the tune of "My Favorite Things"
from the Sound of Music. Some of you may have seen this already, but I think
it's nice to include here. As Sandy said, "Sounds excruciatingly true. I'm
not sure if it was to brag, complain, or just state the facts for us 'chronologically
advantaged' adults. Hope you can sing along with Julie."
Maalox and nose drops and
needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and
new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied
up with string,
These are a few of my favorite
things.
Cadillacs and cataracts
and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and
false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and
porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite
things.
When the pipes leak,
When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite
things,
And then I don't feel so
bad.
Hot tea and crumpets, and
corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food
cooked with onions,
Bath robes and heat pads
and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite
things.
Back pains, confused brains,
and no fear of sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures
and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our
short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite
things.
When the joints ache,
When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great
life I've had,
And then I don't feel so
bad.
**********************************
Our monthly reminder: If you last had your hearing instruments cleaned
and checked in December, it's time to have us clean them again. Just come
on it, and we'll be happy to do this for you.
How to contact us:
You can always call us at 746-7671 or toll-free at 1-800-230-1953. Our
hours are from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Before or after hours,
you are welcome to call and leave a message on our machine.
Feel free to email us with any questions or concerns. Jims email:
james@advancedhearingplus.com . Beths email: beth@advancedhearingplus.com
