Kurt Stueber loves cycling, music, and spending time with his family, but hearing issues began disrupting his life..
“About five years ago I noticed that I was having to say, ‘What?’ and ‘Excuse me?’ and ‘Could you repeat that?’ especially to my wife and daughters,” Stueber shared.
Seeking a solution, Stueber turned to Dr. Kyle Martell, an audiologist at BayCare Clinic Audiology. They began with the Lyric, an extended-wear hearing device, but it didn’t meet Stueber’s needs.
“We found, through trial and error, that he had some sound quality demands that we couldn’t meet through that technology,” Dr. Martell explained. “We switched to a daily wear hearing aid—still small and discreet but more technologically advanced.”
Dr. Martell’s flexibility made a lasting impression. “The openness to switch and find the right solution was extremely surprising,” Stueber said. “It wasn’t, ‘this is your solution, this is what you get, and you live with it.”
Now, Stueber is back to enjoying life and encourages others to seek care from an audiologist who truly listens.
“Our journey with hearing loss is an ongoing process. It’s important to develop a relationship with an audiologist or a hearing care professional where you’re comfortable telling them what you need, telling them what you’re still having trouble with and trusting that you can work together,” said Dr. Martell.
Watch the full clip here.