When Scott Sirles and Robert Petruso started selling hearing aids decades ago, the technology was unrefined and bulky compared to devices that can be purchased today.
"When I started in the business, the hearing aid was just a basic amplifier and analog integrated circuit," said Sirles. "Now, the hearing aids are actually full-blown computers that can be darn near invisible inside your ear."
Sirles and Petruso opened American Ear Hearing and Audiology Centers, LLC, on January 1, 2005, after purchasing Abram Hearing Center. Sirles brings to the business 25 years of experience and Petruso has been selling hearing aids for 34 years. Now that they've combined efforts, the pair has a total of 14 offices in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma.
"We are one of the fastest growing hearing centers in the country and we anticipate at least 25-30 offices in the next five years," said Sirles, who is the company president. He also handles the day-to-day duties of the company such as the banking and advertising.
"I also like to go to each individual office on a rotating basis to see patients and troubleshoot the hard-to-fit cases. That's where my 25 years of experience helps out," said Sirles.
Because of the number of offices available, American Ear Hearing is able to provide for the customer a much lower price than most offices because they have a better buying base.
"That means we can pass the savings on to our patients and offer much lower prices on comparable products than our competition. We also offer lifetime service and hearing tests on every product we sell."
American Ear Hearing fits all major brands, but it features Starkey laboratories products, which are American made. Starkey is the largest manufacturer of custom hearing aids in the country. Sirles said that all the living presidents, except George W. Bush, wear Starkey products, which are used and endorsed by movie stars, politicians and sports figures including Arnold Palmer.
The newest product on the market from Starkey that Sirles is most excited about is the Destiny Series.
"It is the first hearing aid on the market to utilizes nanotechnology. The hearing aid is fully automatic and has virtually eliminated feedback and whistling. It controls the background noise automatically, and can be used with the phone without feedback," said Sirles.
American Ear Hearing, which has local offices in Washington and Cranberry, sold more than 2,300 hearing aids in 2007.
Sirles, who is hard of hearing himself, takes his job personally, knowing that the purchase of a hearing aid can change a person's life.
"It is a good feeling to know that I am able to change the quality of a person's life so that they can hear their grandchildren again and enjoy a social situation. I know what it's like when you can't hear in a public setting. It can be embarrassing when people are talking and you don't know what is being said. You end up getting left out of the conversation."