Patient Stories

What Our Delighted Patients Have to Say About Partnering With Alaska Hearing & Tinnitus Center

I sincerely hope that you remember treating me for 6 wonderful years of my life before I moved to New Zealand. I am incredibly thankful for the incredible service you provided me, although I’ll be the first to admit I did not see it at the time.

When I first came into your office when I was 11 years old, I didn’t really want to be there, but at the same time I knew deep down I needed to be there. I didn’t say much for the first few times I saw you, but that didn’t stop you from trying to help me out and I really appreciate that you never stopped. But, when you told me I needed hearing aids, I was about ready to fight. Little did I know the world I was missing out on. With your knowledge, understanding, and empathy you show your patients; it’s incredibly rare to find a doctor like that. You’re that doctor. You gave me hearing aids that showed me the world was whatever I made of it and pushed me to challenge myself to do great things. I am incredibly appreciative of that.

Sadly, the next few times I saw you my hearing declined (as you know) suddenly and quickly. You were always the first to tell me you could fix it and adjust my hearing aids to bring back sounds I deserved to be able to hear. When these sudden drops happened, you always knew what to do including referring me to an ENT just to check to make sure everything was in order. That level of care was impeccable, and I really appreciate it.

If I were you right now, I’d probably be wondering why after all these years I’m saying this now. September marked my second year in New Zealand (woohoo!), but whilst being here my hearing has continued to decline rapidly with my hearing loss now being classified as profound. However, today I got my wonderful 4-hour surgery for bilateral cochlear implants with my switch-on on Friday. This, to me, marks a wonderful progression for the rest of my life since I’m only 18. Although you’re not going to be the audiologist that turns on my implants, you were the audiologist that began this long and tough journey of hearing loss with me, so thank you.

There are no words to describe how sincerely grateful I am for your level of care. The 5+ years in your care marked some of the best and worst points in my hearing journey, but you stuck by me as a patient and I am forever indebted to you for that. In a lot of wrongs (and probably some confusing paragraphs) this is a long way of saying thank you. Thank you.

With an incredible amount of thankfulness and gratitude,

– Samuel D

“I realized there may be a hearing challenge when I started asking for the hearing impaired headphones at the movie theater. I told myself it was to drown out the other people around me, but it was because I couldn’t hear clearly enough to make out the dialogue. I remember feeling old. In my mind, 35-year-olds don’t develop hearing issues. You are either born with it, or it will develop much later in life. I was wrong, but at that time, the stigma was there.

“Prior to my appointment, I was afraid I would be told that I really didn’t have a hearing issue, that my mom was right that I just wasn’t paying attention. My first impression? The dogs! It is still nice to go into the office and see the big dogs. They are so quiet and sweet. They seem to know who needs comforting. Anyone that has office dogs is alright in my book.

“I had retreated from social settings without realizing it. So much so, that after I got the hearing aids and started hanging out with friends, I heard people mention that they thought I was a figment of my husband’s imagination, as they had never met me.

“I enjoy so many more activities than before. Camping. I can hear everyone around the campfire. Dinner. I can hear everyone at the table. Even meetings have improved dramatically. I have settings programmed for all these situations. AHTC has been instrumental in giving me the tools needed to get back to living and enjoying everything around me. If you are thinking of visiting Alaska Hearing, what are you waiting for?”

– Becki G

“My hearing loss came in two stages. I lost the hearing in one ear due to the mumps at age 12.  So I have had single-sided deafness since then. As I got older, I began to lose the hearing in my “good” ear. I have lost some of the higher frequencies. It became difficult to hear certain people speaking and I could see everyone else could hear them fine.

“My biggest concerns before my appointment were the perceptions people would have of me because of wearing hearing aids and how well would they work. I had been to other hearing centers, so I kind of knew what to expect.

“Wearing hearing aids has made it possible for me to continue to work in an office setting.  With the aid of my compilot, I can watch TV at home and hear everything fine without turning the volume up too loud for everyone else. I’m very satisfied with the care and service Alaska Hearing provide.”

– Larry S

“I first thought that I may have a hearing loss when I had to have people repeat what they were saying to me. I didn’t really have any concerns prior to my appointment, as my father wore hearing aids, but I wondered what people would think about me wearing hearing aids.

The staff at Alaska Hearing were very friendly and concerned that I understood everything they explained. Now, I know when I don’t have my hearing aids on.  I hear much better [with them]. If you are thinking about getting your hearing tested, I would suggest you make an appointment and see what you think.  I have enjoyed visiting their offices.”

– Sue B

“My son is autistic and I was worried about how he would respond to being tested. I was very pleased with our first appointment. Doctor McMahan was so kind and patient. She got on our son’s level, explained everything calmly to him, and made us all feel very comfortable, safe, and cared for.

I would wholeheartedly recommend AHTC. Dr. McMahan is the best at what she does, is open and honest with patients, and you can tell she genuinely loves what she does.”

– Cal K

“I pretty much have had ringing in my ears my whole life.  I have always struggled and normally had to be looking at a person to read their lips if I was going to understand a conversation.

In large groups, it was useless to try and carry on a conversation. Before my appointment, the cost of hearing aids was a real fear for me. I found the team at Alaska Hearing to be very professional, and they explained everything in common language, so I could understand what was going on.

With my hearing aids, I can hear my grandkids, and my wife is a very happy woman. If you are considering an appointment, it will change your life. I wish I would not have waited so long.”

– Joseph L

“I was 14 or 15 years old and a teacher noticed that I was falling behind in the class discussion. She requested a hearing test and I was informed that I have a significant loss. This was devastating news for a person to receive.

“Before my appointment at Alaska Hearing, I was afraid I was not going to be able to get the help I needed and that cost would be more than I could afford. I found that everyone there was very friendly and it was an inviting atmosphere. I felt welcomed and understood. The staff was great and communicated very well with me and my impairment.

“My quality of life has drastically improved since purchasing my hearing devices. My family and I are all very happy with the choice. To anyone who is debating about visiting Alaska Hearing, you need to take care of your hearing. If assistance devices are needed, it’s totally worth the time and money investment.”

– Ryan H

“[My hearing loss] was not immediate, but as time went on, I could tell I wasn’t hearing enough. I became less outgoing. I was in a shell.  Less a part of the group. I had originally gone to a discount seller and that’s what I got, a discount set of hearing aids.

At my first appointment, I was very impressed and assured they would be doing a good job. I was also very impressed with the devices and service I received from Alaska Hearing. Now that I can hear, I am not embarrassed to get into a conversation, nor an argument, nor a discussion. If you want to hear, go there.”

– Ronald

“I became concerned about my hearing due to ringing in the ears. I found a comfortable setting and exceptional staff at Alaska Hearing. Now, I have much less ringing and I’m able to concentrate more. It’s a great place to go.”

– James

“I was ashamed I needed help. I am young compared to everyone else I know who wears hearing aids. Before my appointment at Alaska Hearing, I thought I would be pressured into hearing aids. I thought they would be large and noticeable. I had no idea how much the hearing system is integrated into the rest of the body and healthcare process.

I found everyone at Alaska Hearing to be friendly, welcoming, and happy to be there. With my hearing aids, I can hear my family, I can hear better at work, and I feel overall less stressed! Dr. Emily and her team really care about you. They will make you comfortable and she will answer all of your questions!”

– CJW

“I suspected I might have a hearing loss when I could hear the coffee pot beep in my right ear but not my left ear. Before coming to Alaska Hearing, my biggest concern was price point value. Yes, hearing aids are as expensive as a mid-range laptop, but the benefits are worth it.

At my first visit, I thought everyone was very nice, friendly, and professional. “Dogtor” Bentley, the office work dog, was a nice touch. With my hearing aids, I can hear upper frequencies that include alert signals and music. I can hear what people say much better.

What an amazing difference! I would tell anyone that the best thing you can do is to check it out. A hearing test is the start of reconnecting with your world.”

– Steve M