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- Launching "Hearing PROmotions"
- by
Lorraine Fanizza.
I’d have to say my business really picked me
from my
frustrations with my own hearing loss. I was born with a moderate hearing loss in
both ears at a time when there wasn't much help or understanding about
it. So I
couldn’t quite put my finger on why I felt so different, let alone what to do about it.
I also didn't know anyone with a hearing loss, much later I suspected my dad who
simply ignored or denied his own loss, there wasn’t much help back then
anyhow. It felt a little, like there was a family
secret that was so awful, that no one talked about
"it". Whatever "it" was. This "invisible condition" affected me socially, emotionally,
and later financially, not to mention stress. Looking back, I
can see that it was terribly stressful on the whole family,
particularly the communication breakdowns.
I received my first hearing aid after high school, married with
children and trying to work. My mom knew someone, that knew a
hearing aid dispenser, that could get me a refurbished hearing aid for
a lot less money. I was excited! I thought I'd be
able to hear like other hearing people. Unfortunately, that
hearing aid was a disappointment except in a one-on-one, quiet
environment. Then, many years later, when I moved to Irvine, my
new hearing aid provider started a hearing loss support group and introduced
the room-loop technology to all of us in the group. This worked with my
Tele-coil in my hearing aids and enhanced my listening ability, but
after the meeting was over, this loop was put in a box until the next
month's meeting when I could hear like that again.
- Later, while trying to take some
college classes I had a devastating realization, that I had been
compared and tested against my hearing peers all my life.
I soon started researching
everything I could; hearing devices, ear health, anything relating to hearing loss
including the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). I decided to organize
some of this information into a small publication that could also help others.
- After using
different hearing devices I settled on a few of my favorites and began sharing these with
friends. One system in particular was making such a difference for me
everyday that I
saw a hugh need for this in the community.
Most of the problems I had in launching my business, then and now, come
from the powerful social stigma that has been so strong to the point that many of us experiencing
hearing difficulties continued to deny our own hearing needs. I’ve been actively
offering assistive listening devices, systems, and information for
years. Presenting group
demonstrations and hands on experiences. It's been challenging, as in the beginning many times I’d hear,
"Oh, I’m fine.", or " I don’t need anything." or
"I’m not that bad yet". Although the stigma is definitely
getting better, it sometimes still feels like I'm pushing a hugh
bolder up a mountain.
The hearing devices I offer have helped many individuals in their
everyday life, and these same systems also assists businesses in helping their employees
participate more fully, assists schools in helping their students understand their
teachers better, assists hospitals in having an easier time communicating with their
patients, plus places of worship are offering these systems for their people
too. In addition, hotels and
places of entertainment are providing hearing assistance for their guests
for seminars and meetings, along with important safety
provisions. Although by law they are to provide
assistance, they've sometimes been reluctant in the past.
- Now, I'm getting more
"thank you, these devices are so great". or "now hearing the speaker
is so much easier and better". "This
is so fabulous, I wish this was available years ago." I’ve
even sat with people where
we’ve both shared a range of amazement, to tears of joy, to big smiles just from
being relieved of the everyday frustration of not hearing well.
How do I sell to customers who will not admit they could use some help? Whether it’s
a business or an individual, I look at what will work for them and try to let them
experience the difference. I just keep sharing. The most difficult part of my business is
the still remaining remnant of the social stigma regarding hearing loss,
although, I understand it, after all I lived it for most of my life. But, I know I just have to constantly keep
putting the information and help out there. I’ve been venturing out into pretty new
territory.
People expect an awful lot from their hearing aids, the little miracles that
they are and thank heaven for them. But when it’s just too noisy, as life often is,
or when the distance is too great that is where these hearing devices and
systems really shine, bringing that
voice right to our ear, cutting down on the background noise and helping with the distance
problem.
I don’t believe I could have done anything different given the
circumstances, and now with information, technology, and supportive people, everyday is
better. I’m making a difference in my life as well as many, many others and this
makes me happy.
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