BUSINESS: Fine Hearing Care
Since Fine Hearing Care opened in Edmond in 1991, its first priority has always been serving their patients. Former owner, Dr. Kris Watson, joined Fine Hearing Care in 1994 working with founder Dr. Gail Fine. Current owner, since April 2011, Dr. Lisa Irby values the mentorship Watson has provided during the clinic’s transition of ownership. “Kris and I worked together several years ago before I left to open a practice in Yukon. When Kris decided to sell Fine Hearing Care, she wanted someone that would keep the business in line with what it’s always been — premier hearing health care to the community. It’s who we are and who we’re going to be,” said Irby.
Irby’s desire for honesty and integrity envelops both business and home. “My husband and I began a re-evaluation of everything in our lives. In doing so we noticed businesses weren’t taking care of employees and families weren’t taking care of each other,” she said. “We’re in the business of service for a reason and we’re not giving in to the ‘it’s all about me’ attitude. Any changes we make is to better care for our patients because that’s who we serve.”
Services for patients of all ages at Fine Hearing Care include evaluations for general diagnostic hearing, middle ear, auditory processing and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). “Our job is to help people hear better. We offer other services that a lot of people don’t realize a private practice can provide, such as custom hearing protection, musicians’ monitors, hunting plugs and swim plugs,” said Irby.
According to Irby, hearing loss is the fourth largest chronic disability in the country. “People are often afraid to get their hearing checked because they don’t want to be taken advantage of or not get the right help. The ear is a mechanism for delivery so rehabilitation for hearing is not like putting on glasses for most people. It’s retraining or a journey to get them back to their full potential,” she explains. “Hearing loss is different for each person and how it affects their daily life. You can buy a hearing aid anywhere but if you don’t understand what your issues are, it’s just a device. When you come to us, you get what you came for.”
While the staff at Fine Hearing Care is highly trained, each having received doctorate degrees in audiology, patient care receives the highest compliments. “We get comments all the time saying there’s an honest, comfortable feeling when they walk in and they don’t feel like they’re just a number to us. Our patients become part of our family,” said Irby.
With more than 14 years’ experience as an audiologist, Irby has practiced in Minnesota, Arizona and Oklahoma. “God has given me great opportunities to prepare me for where I am now.”
Fine Hearing Care is located at 2801 S. Bryant in Edmond. For more information visit
www.finehearingcare.com. For appointments, call 340-9191. Fine Hearing Care accepts most insurance providers including Medicare and Medicaid.
