Many people who can’t hear as well as they should refuse to get a hearing aid. The problem is they don’t want to be seen wearing one.

“Cosmetics should not be the main issue,” suggests Bob Heiser, who founded Hearing Health Centers, in Medina, more than 25 years ago. “Hearing loss is more noticeable than a hearing aid. If you’re always saying, ‘what?’ and ‘huh?’ people are going to notice that more than if you’re wearing a hearing aid.”

Besides, he says, many of today’s hearing aids are so small nobody will ever know you’re wearing one.

“Cosmetically, hearing aids are very appealing today,” Bob promises. “Technology that was only available in a full shell hearing aid not long ago is now available in a very tiny piece.”

Hearing Health Centers, the largest hearing aid dealer in Medina County, offers a huge selection of devices to fit any situation and budget.

“I have hundreds of devices from 32 manufacturers that I can choose from and each one is a little different and has its own advantages,” Bob explains.

Some hearing centers, he says, tend to push a particular brand of hearing device.

“Testing equipment is very expensive,” he says. “What happens is a hearing aid manufacturer will give equipment to a hearing center. In turn, they have to buy a certain quantity of devices from them every month. I buy my own equipment. That way I am not obligated to any manufacturer.”

Hearing Health Centers, Bob promises, will fit you with the device that works for you.

“If you’re a couch potato you don’t need an expensive hearing aid with 18 channels that adjusts itself,” he insists. “It isn’t necessary. But if you’re working in an environment where the noise levels change, you probably want to get a device with automatic noise reduction so you don’t have to manually hit a button when you walk into a room.”

According to Bob, millions of Americans suffer from some form of hearing loss and don’t know it. Further, they are experiencing losses at earlier ages.

He says that’s because young people, beginning in the 1960s, started to expose their ears to loud, amplified music. Plus, long-term exposure to deafening power equipment, like lawn mowers, chain saws and weed trimmers, is bad for our hearing, too.

“Many people have their eyes checked annually, but haven’t had their hearing checked in years,” Bob says. “People over 50 should have their hearing checked every year. Doctors don’t do that, so we offer free exams for anybody over the age of 50.”

Hearing Health Centers also offers no-cost hearing aid cleaning and tune-ups—whether you bought your device there or not.

“Regular maintenance every three or four months is important to maintain the longevity of the product,” Bob explains. “People need someplace to have it done.”

And if you bought your hearing aid from Hearing Health Centers, you get a free lifetime service program as long as own your device.

Bob also offers free hearing exams at most of the skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in Medina County, and some in Southern Cuyahoga County.

“We have one person who spends almost all of her time doing the free exams,” Bob says. “And because our testing equipment is portable, we’re one of the few hearing centers that does in-home visits.”

Mention this story and receive a free, complimentary membership to Hearing Health Centers’ personal maintenance program. Membership includes free annual hearing tests, hearing aid and ear cleaning, hearing aid tune-ups and adjustments. All brands are covered and it does not matter where you purchased your appliance.

Hearing Health Centers is located at 754 N. Court Street, in Medina, with another location in Middleburg Heights. To schedule either an in-office or in-home appointment, you can reach them at 330-725-3259 or toll- free at 1-800-916-1972. Hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays by appointment. Get more information by visiting www.hearinghealthcenters.com.