Gertrude’s Story

Sharing our stories is one of the best ways for people to remember us.

I remember the countless tales my grandfathers both used to tell me; sitting with them and hearing stories about their lives and experiences is one of my favourite ways to remember them both, long after they’ve passed on.

It’s one of our most unique and special ways we humans have to leave our legacies behind.

I can honestly say that the work that I do brings me closer to so many people who share parts of their life stories with me. It’s the sharing of these experiences and stories that makes my job one of the best in the world.

I always tell people when they ask me what I do: “I help people have great conversations.” I’m privileged to be able to help enable these sorts of conversations to happen, and we use hearing aids to open that proverbial door for people who need an easier time doing so.

Speaking of stories… I have been working recently with one of my clients named Gertrude. She’ll be 94 this year, and she’s a wonderful lady to chat with – she’s the type of person who isn’t shy about asking for help, and she often makes visits to see us whenever she needs some help.

At some point over the past few weeks, she was telling one of her daughters how she comes to our clinic as often as she does, and she finds it to be a very friendly and welcoming place. However, her daughter was in shock – she told her mother that she shouldn’t be doing that, that she was taking up too much of our time.

We received a letter from Gertrude apologizing for taking up my time. She mentioned that her daughter told her not to come to the clinic as frequently, as she was taking up our time.

I immediately called Gertrude and told her to disregard her daughter’s concerns: we’re more than happy to see her as often as she wants, when she wants. Well, naturally, Gertrude was thrilled to hear it!

I saw Gertrude a little while ago as she needed help changing the wax guards on her hearing aids. During our visits, I have lots of great conversations with her; during her most recent appointment, she asked me for my opinion about selling her condo or moving to a retirement residence.

Getrude usually asks me for advice for topics she doesn’t know as much about, and I’m grateful that she trusts my opinion. We talk about a great deal of things in the clinic, and it’s always a wonderful time to see her and chat.

As much as I love to teach people about hearing care and hearing aids, people can teach us a great deal too, just through the ability to have these great conversations.

If you’re curious about hearing care and hearing aids, we’re happy to chat with you, too! Please feel free to request a callback or call us at (416) 463-4327 for more.