Petruso Hearing – Doing Something Right

By Lois Thompson

Ken Johnson is a Hearing Aid Specialist at Petruso Hearing and Audiology Centers, a company that has been in business for 52 years. "It's a family-run practice," Johnson said, "and the actual family members have been doing the work for many years." He said there have been very few changes to the way Petruso has done business during that time, and added, "People like consistency, they like to see the same faces, and we must be doing something right."

Petruso can handle most problems involving hearing loss, which can be caused by a number of factors – age, noise exposure, trauma, etc. The company offers a variety of services, including hearing tests, hearing aid repairs, hearing protections, and industrial hearing tests.

As a hearing aid specialist, Johnson can test and determine the type of hearing loss a person has and discuss solutions. "I'll give options on the type of hearing aids available; we can do a study demo as to what they sound like, and let you hear what you've been missing."

Johnson, who has been at Petruso for more than 15 years, said, "I've been doing this for a long time," and the results are one thing that keep him in the business. "People who come into the office are having trouble hearing, and when we take care of them they're so happy. They come back for a follow-up and say, 'I can hear the birds in my yard.' It is one of the most gratifying professions you can get into."

“Untreated hearing loss can lead to dementia. Studies have shown that if hearing loss is not treated, it can increase the risk of dementia by 50 percent. When we don’t hear well, we isolate ourselves. ‘I don’t hear people talking to me so I don’t want to go out; I don’t want to go to that restaurant because it’s too noisy.’ Isolation can lead to depression, which can lead to dementia. Hearing loss can then affect the whole family.”

— Ken Johnson

Regarding hearing aids, Johnson said, "We see a lot of over-the-counter ones being sold, and for some people they will work, but they are for very mild symptoms. My suggestion is to go to a professional to have your hearing tested first to see if the OTC will work."

Johnson recommends getting a hearing test on an annual basis. "We absolutely recommend it, especially if you notice a hearing loss. It's like going to the dentist; a lot of people don't like to, so they wait until the last minute, and then they have to get a crown or a root canal. The sooner you notice issues with hearing, it will be easier to get used to hearing aids if you need them."

He added that it's important for people to become their own health advocates and look after themselves. "Get an evaluation with a professional. Most people who are on Medicare have a Medicare supplement that has a hearing aid benefit. We can find out for you. Our customer service is second to none, and I can't think of anything more important than putting the patient first."

For more information, call (724) 807-8524 or visit www.petrusohearing.com.