Meet Chantel – Seeking Expert Hearing Care Across State Lines
My name is Chantel Hampton, and I’m from Wisconsin. I’ve been an educator for over 20 years, teaching in the classroom and now working in administration. I have three grown children and a house full of dogs, which always keeps life interesting. It takes me about two hours to get here for each appointment—but because of the difference it’s made in my quality of life, it’s absolutely worth the trip.
I first noticed the ringing in my ear back in February 2020. It was a sound I’d never experienced before—this constant, high-pitched ringing, just like what you hear in movies after an explosion. Sometimes it got louder, sometimes softer, but it was always there. I couldn’t think of anything that might have caused it—just normal, everyday life.
Struggling to Hear and Stay Connected
I made an appointment with an audiologist, and he told me, “Yes, you have some hearing loss, but it’s nothing serious and there’s really nothing we can do.” So I went on with life.
Over the next year, things started to get worse. In the classroom, I would find myself turning my head to my good ear to hear students. In meetings, I missed parts of conversations, especially when people spoke softly or there was background noise. It became socially isolating, and I started avoiding gatherings because it was just too hard to keep up.
Between my husband’s work with the fire department and our kids’ sports, we were always busy, and my hearing loss was really starting to affect my mental health.
Finding Hope Out of State
Then one day, we were in Ankeny for a meeting and saw a commercial for Hope Hearing and Tinnitus Center. My husband said, “You need to call them tomorrow.” I hesitated, thinking, We live so far away, they won’t take me. But I filled out the online inquiry anyway, and sure enough, they emailed back and said they’d love to have me come in.
From the moment I arrived, everyone was kind, thoughtful, and truly listened. They ran all the tests, explained everything clearly, and actually had a solution for me. That same day, I was fitted with hearing devices and left the office hearing better than I had in years.
That evening, we attended a big customer appreciation dinner, and I was amazed. I could hear conversations clearly in a noisy room. It was emotional. When we got home, I heard a faint running water sound and told my husband, “Something’s leaking!” He laughed and said, “That’s your hearing devices.” That’s when I knew things were going to get better.
Life-Changing Results
Now, when I’m at my desk working, I hear the gentle sounds of my environment instead of the loud ringing that used to dominate my days. I’m not shy about it. You can be my age and wear hearing devices, and it’s perfectly fine.
We don’t think twice about someone wearing glasses, so why should hearing devices be any different? I proudly tell people I wear hearing devices, and I encourage others to do the same. If you’re struggling with hearing loss or tinnitus, don’t wait, get help. It’s truly life-changing.
I’m not exaggerating when I say this. This experience has completely transformed my life, and I’m so incredibly grateful for everyone here at Hope Hearing and Tinnitus Center.
The Next Step For New Patients
If you have been experiencing similar symptoms or struggles to Chantel’s, the first step in getting treatment is scheduling an initial hearing evaluation to identify your unique condition. Our clinic has the freedom to choose any hearing device that will serve you best – without any insurance interference.
Know that there are indeed treatment options for tinnitus symptoms including tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) and for hearing loss of all severity levels. Find Hope, Get Relief at Hope Hearing and Tinnitus Center in Hiawatha, all of eastern Iowa and beyond!
