Business: Naperville Hearing Services
Address: 608 S. Washington St., Naperville
Phone/website: 630-357-5287, www.napervillehearing.com
Owner/certified clinical audiologist: Julie Lendzion, 53, of Naperville
Years in business: 38
What do you do? “We do audiometric testing, hearing tests, evaluation for hearing aids, dispensing of hearing aids, audiograms,” Lendzion said.
Are hearing aids a big part of your business? “It’s primarily our business. There are six manufacturers we work with.”
Not every hearing aid works for every person? “Correct. It’s based on the individual person and what their needs are. We will do a consultation, usually no charge, for 60 minutes. (It) may or may not include a hearing test. … There are six top manufacturers we work with.”
How have hearing aids changed? “Even some of the behind-the-ear styles are much smaller than they were. The custom ones made for your ear? We take an impression of your ear. A lot of times you can camouflage them with your hair, your glasses. … They are definitely much smaller (now).”
What else has changed? “Around 1995, 1996, they introduced the new digitally programmable hearing aids. At that time, we were still making (the) adjustments on the hearing aids with little screwdrivers. We moved to the programmable ones you would hook up to a computer with a wire. Now, we can program them wirelessly. You can connect with cellphones.”
What’s the background? “I’ve been the owner since 2020. I bought the practice from Mike Siefert. I’ve been with Naperville Hearing Services for 20 years, with Mike for 22, through other locations. This business started in 1986, so we’ve been around for a while. We’ve been at this location since 2022.”
Are your patients older or younger? “We don’t fit patients under the age of 5. Most are probably over the age of 40. … The Hearing Loss Association of America says 12.5% of kids between (ages) 6 to 19 have hearing problems with the earbuds and loud music.”
What about tinnitus? “Ninety percent of tinnitus is related to hearing loss, but that’s not always the case. … Noise exposure. Hearing loss over time. Medications may have side effects. … Most of the time, when they are wearing hearing aids, the ringing is not as noticeable.”
What happens when someone comes in? “We’ll do a hearing test. We talk about their listening lifestyle. … What areas are you having difficult in hearing? Are you still working? Family functions.”
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Do you advise wearing hearing protection in noisy jobs? “Of course. … There are custom ear protections that allow speech to come through. … I will see shooters, construction workers, musicians. We have custom ear protection for them.”
How did you get into this career? “I like working with people. My patients are like my family. I started out when I was in high school. I worked in summers at a school for kids with special needs. … I went to Michigan State for undergrad and Wayne State for graduate. I did my fellowship year in Farmington Hills (Michigan).”
What do you like about your job? “Helping people. … When a patient cries when they can hear, it’s an awesome feeling. … My patients come first before anything. … Our job is to provide somebody with the information they need.”
What’s your business philosophy? “I’m a big proponent of follow-up care. So, during the trial period, we’ll see our patients as much as needed to make sure they’re transitioning.”
What challenges do you face? “I’m not concerned about the competition. There are five audiologists who work here. I’m proud of what we do.”
Any future plans? “We may expand. But for right now we’re pretty good here. I’d like another location near Plainfield. … Eventually I’d like a standalone. We’ll see.”
Any favorite stories? “I had a patient who (after) he put his hearing aids in, he had tears in his eyes.”
What about prices? “There’s a wide range. They can be expensive, over $5,000.”
How did the pandemic impact your business? “It actually was fantastic. We are health care, still working.”
What does a client say? “They’re the best. When I first came to them, they made me feel very relaxed. Julie was very concerned about my hearing problem. … If I have any questions, they answer them,” Ken Cummins, 71, of Romeoville, said.
What’s your advice for someone starting a business? “Just keep at it. Referrals. Word of mouth. I was pretty fortunate because I walked into an established business, but you still have to work at it,” Lendzion said.
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun. If you know of a business you’d like to see profiled in Down to Business, contact him at [email protected].