Patient Stories

For years, I’d been dealing with tinnitus symptoms on and off, but when it started to interfere with my sleep, I knew it was time to check out if there were options for relief.

My first impression of the clinic and staff was how friendly it was! Dr. Emily, in particular, was very up to date about tinnitus and the possible solutions available.

Hearing aids have made a big difference in my life, for both my hearing and tinnitus.

My favorite thing about my experience is that all the staff are friendly and helpful. If they don’t know the answer, they will find out who can best help you and any issues you have.

Set an appointment now! Do not wait any longer!

I had a surgery that reduced my hearing in one ear by 30%. It took me a year to accept this was permanent and I would have to wear hearing aids. Until that point, I was so sure I would not have to wear hearing aids.

Unfortunately, the tinnitus was getting louder than my hearing aids could compensate for. I desperately needed to find an advanced provider who specialized in this field. Being able to communicate is such a critical part of life. I was concerned I would not be able to continue working if I couldn’t hear.

I was impressed with Dr McMahan’s knowledge and confidence in her field. She is also very good at explaining your hearing options to you.

In my 15 years of wearing hearing aids, Dr McMahan has excelled at finding the best solution for my hearing improvement. She and the team find the best options to improve your hearing.

I first noticed something was off when I was simply not hearing conversation with/around me. When visiting Alaska Hearing and Tinnitus Center, I instantly noticed how friendly and organized the staff were.

My hearing aids help me hear conversations at work during meetings. All I can say is protect your hearing and get hearing aids!

My hearing challenges became “real” to me when I realized (was told, bluntly) that I couldn’t hear my grandkids, and they were frustrated with always repeating themselves.

When I visited Alaska Hearing and Tinnitus Center, I was ready to be treated and was immediately struck by how helpful and friendly everyone was.

Hearing aids have changed my life very much for the better. I left my first appointment with hearing aids, my grandkids were in the car, and I had to ask them to keep it down, that I could hear them. No weeks of waiting, a thorough evaluation and I walked out being able to hear things I didn’t know I was missing

All I can say is: don’t wait!

I first noticed that I was facing hearing challenges when I noticed that I was hearing people’s voices but not the words they were saying whenever I was in a group with surrounding noises.

When I realized I had hearing loss, my main concern was what could come along with it. My daughter, who worked at an audiology clinic in Texas, mentioned a link between hearing loss and dementia. That was a major concern.

The doctor and staff at Alaska Hearing and Tinnitus Center are very professional. You are greeted with a smile and a genuine interest in what your hearing concerns are and how they can help.

The moment the hearing aids were put in my ears, I was able to hear the sounds and voices all around me. I was amazed to be hearing sounds behind me again! My favorite thing about my experience here is the confidence in knowing you are getting the latest professional help in whatever stage of hearing you are experiencing!

I would encourage anyone struggling with hearing loss not to delay in giving the team a call.

About three to four years ago, I started noticing a persistent ringing in my ears. I didn’t have any fears or concerns about visiting Alaska Hearing & Tinnitus Center. In fact, I was excited that they may have a potential solution.

Upon my visit, I immediately thought that Jamie was just great! She was personable and excited with me.

For anyone dealing with tinnitus or hearing issues, I’d encourage you to reach out to this clinic. The team are personable, willing to help, and professional.

Give ‘em a call!

The first time I realized that I had some hearing issues was during a flight when I had to ask a flight attendant to repeat a question three times. It was frustrating to the attendant and more so myself, to subject my fellow passengers to the same questions three times.

I didn’t really have any concerns before visiting the clinic; I’m old enough to not put a lot of worry on myself regarding what people will think. In fact, some of my friends are jealous that I can now Bluetooth my music right up until the cabin door opens after landing.

When I visited Alaska Hearing and Tinnitus Center, I was immediately struck by the sincerity of the staff. They were genuinely focused on helping me hear better, which put me at ease.

Now that I have hearing aids, I can hear sounds I haven’t heard for a long time. Also, the tinnitus program has been excellent in reducing the “static” sound I was hearing before I chose to wear the hearing aids.

For anyone on the fence about seeking help, I’d say give Alaska Hearing and Tinnitus Center a call and be prepared to experience the sound of young children laughing again. You’ll find that each staff member is devoted to their patients and their desire to hear again.

When I first realized something was wrong with my hearing, I was very anxious; I didn’t know what was happening!

When I decided to reach out to Alaska Hearing and Tinnitus Center, I didn’t really have any concerns. The staff were incredibly informative and, most importantly, they really listened to my problems.

Getting hearing aids has changed everything. My tinnitus is less noticeable, and I can hear others much better now.

Dr McMahan is great and my favorite thing about Alaska Hearing and Tinnitus Center is that the team truly cares about you.

I realized I may have a hearing challenge on Christmas Eve 2023. My tinnitus developed instantly, and my biggest concern was that I would no longer be able to enjoy moments of “blessed silence.” Instead, my life was going to be marked by a painfully loud sound in my right ear.

I’d heard about a device – Lenire – that might help, but I wasn’t sure whether it would work for me. However, from the moment I called Alaska Hearing & Tinnitus Center, I was in their good hands and felt instant care.

Now, I use Lenire to improve my life in helping my brain overcome the sound of tinnitus.

If you’re concerned about your hearing, this is the place to start. My questions are answered instantly and thoroughly, no matter who I am speaking with! Get help to ensure you have the best care in how you live the rest of your life.

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.

“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?”

“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.”

Although I was not afraid to go in and get tested, I was scared to find out if I really had a hearing loss. Then I was unsure what the next steps would be. My biggest worry was how hearing loss is corrected and whether my hearing loss would get worse over time.

My first impressions were relaxed, informational, and the staff really cared about me. I was given very detailed information about my hearing loss and suggestions on what I could do about it. I felt no pressure to act right away.

I have a slight hearing loss of high frequency sounds and now I can hear them with my hearing aids. I can hear my kitchen timer from other rooms and my dryer beep when it is done. I haven’t heard those sounds for a few years. It’s wonderful.

I would advise anyone to ‘go now’ and find out for sure if you have a hearing loss. Then ask them for suggestions as to what to do. The staff at the Center is very experienced; they are quick to help you solve any problems you might have.

“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.”

“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.”

“[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.”

“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.”

“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!”

“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.”