Tucked in the corner by the pharmacy at Meijer in Charlotte, Sally Donnell has quietly providedMeijer Hearing Center free hearing testing for local residents for more than two years. A licensed hearing aid dealer with the State of Michigan, Donnell has helped improve the hearing of hundreds in the area through the Meijer Hearing Center since it opened in 2012.
Donnell provides two different tests, both free of charge, based on the hearing abilities or lack thereof of her clients. The baseline test quickly identifies whether an individual has any form of hearing loss. This 20-minute exam includes a state-of-the-art video otoscopy that allows a patient to see inside his or her own ear. The otoscopy shows if there is any physical damage to the eardrum or the small bones inside the ear.
If any hearing damage is found, a more thorough examination will take place, which will determine the kind of hearing loss that has taken place. The full, comprehensive test ultimately ends with the client utilizing a hearing aid to get an idea of how well they could be hearing.
“When they are done, they know how they should be hearing,” Donnell said. “We offer several different hearing aids, should they need one, but we also sell ear protection, so they don’t end up coming back to see me.”
Like hearing aids, ear protection comes in several different forms.
“No two ears are alike,” Donnell said, “even your own.”
In addition to noise cancelling headphones, Donnell can custom fit molds that provide protection for swimmers as well as music enthusiasts that utilize earbuds.
“They are extremely comfortable and fit your ear like a glove,” Donnell said.
The Meijer Hearing Center, located at 1167 E. Clinton Trail in Charlotte, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, or to schedule a free hearing test, call (517) 541-9275.