Tony Parsons Speaks Out About Hearing Loss
As though on cue with National Hearing Awareness month in Canada, Tony Parsons stepped out of retirement to become the official voice for NexGen Hearing, a BC hearing aid retailer with 50 clinics in the province. Tony’s story is an interesting one.
Tony Parsons: a lesson worth hearing
Like so many other seniors, I’ve admittedly been reluctant to acknowledge the shortcomings that go with the aging process. You know what we’re like, after all we hear just fine! It’s not our fault if everyone else mumbles. I hear what I want to hear and that’s good enough for me. That’s when some friends convinced me to try the free hearing test at NexGen Hearing in Kelowna. Audiologist Colin VanBergen and his team made the whole experience a pleasure and after the test I came to know that I do indeed have a rather significant problem with my hearing. Since then, I have seen an ENT surgeon and have gradually obtained knowledge. Both hearing professionals have patiently schooled me on some of the aspects of my hearing loss. Today I’m now wearing hearing aids and yes, I admit now that I needed them years ago. Consonants and I are becoming friends again and oddly enough…my wife doesn’t seem to mumble any more! Much to my surprise they are so helpful, discrete and quite comfortable. I spent years and years as a broadcaster with a hearing device jammed in one ear so I could stay in touch with the director of my nightly newscast. Maybe that had something to do with my hearing issue, one I steadfastly denied. I’ve also learned about NexGen Hearing and what makes them different, as they have an established purpose to go far beyond just product sales. They truly care about people and their quality of life. That’s rare! Since then, I’ ve come to know about the educational side of their business and the information and support they can and do provide. I have since been approached by Marke Hambley, President of NexGen Hearing, asking that I consider a role in the company. Today, I am delighted to say that I have committed to speaking out about hearing loss as the official spokesperson for NexGen Hearing and the Hear 4U Foundation. The first commercial endorsement I have ever accepted, I might add!
The dog ate my hearing aids
Oh, and by the way, I’ve become so comfortable wearing my new hearing aids that recently I stepped into the shower still wearing them. Yikes! I realized it just in time, and yanked them back to safety. Then I came close to losing them again. I had carelessly left them on a small table near the TV that I was watching and much to my horror Morley, one of my dogs, tried to make a meal of them. Another rescue mission and thankfully no damage! How would I explain that to my Audiologist!? So considering that 1 in 4 Canadians suffer some form of hearing loss, I urge you to not delay as I did. Call NexGen Hearing and take advantage of their free Hearing Test!