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Vanguard Prescription Hearing Aid Center
Vanguard Prescription Hearing Aid is proud to have provided affordable hearing for over a decade to thousands of Michiganders. Our hearing aids are high-quality, FDA-approved medical devices that are programmed to the highest standards and tested by our in-house team of audiologists and hearing professionals. From patient care to patient support, we’re passionate about helping people with hearing loss get affordable hearing aid solutions, and we’re dedicated to making your experience with us a good one.
01
Ray Mihtar H.I.S
Most people look for a career that interests them. Then there are those who are lucky enough to find a profession that calls to them. Although Harwon “Ray” Mihtar was a successful entrepreneur who owned several businesses, his life changed when he began working at Beltone in 2014 as a hearing instrument specialist (HIS),who evaluates whether people have any hearing loss, and if they do, then prescribes the best hearing aid for their condition. “I had a feeling that I would enjoy being an HIS because you get to help people,
His passion for helping people maintain their hearing health prompted Ray to open the Vanguard Hearing Center, with the mission to provide affordable high-quality, FDA-approved hearing aids—with emphasis on affordable.
“Before he died, my father suffered from hearing loss,
” Ray says.
“And even though we knew it, we didn’t treat it, and that’s a regret I’ve had to live with. But at the time it was considered an inevitable part of getting old. So an 83-year-old man with hearing loss was normal. But now I know it can be treated. That’s why I don’t let money be an issue.
” Ray’s mantra is that patients should have choice. So he offers a wide selection of prescription hearing aids, from high-end devices with all the bells and whistles to basic models. “I ask clients: Tell me what you can afford, and I’m going to do my best to help you.” According to government data, there are almost thirty million adults in the United States suffering from mild to moderate hearing loss, but only 14 percent of them use hearing aids, mostly because of cost.
“Access to affordable hearing aids is essential,
” Ray stresses.
“And today there area lot of ways that we can help people to get hearing aids.” If his client simply can’t afford a hearing aid, Ray helps by connecting them with community organizations like Michigan Rehabilitation Services, that partners with Vanguard and other hearing health professionals to provide hearing aids to adults and children in need.
“We’re committed to making sure that we meet the price point of every patient.
” As he points out, proper hearing isn’t just a quality-of-life issue; it’s also important to our long-term health. For example, many people don’t realize there’s a correlation between hearing loss and future dementia. “Through our services we have an opportunity to educate people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s about the importance of hearing health,
” Ray says.
Running Vanguard Hearing Center and providing service for its ever-growing clientele doesn’t leave Ray a lot of leisure time. What down time he does get is spent enjoying family time with his wife and their three children, playing pool or bowling with friends, or cheering on Detroit’s Red Wings and Tigers. Despite the demands of his profession, Ray says the rewards of making a difference keep him energized. “My mission is to provide great patient care and have people make hearing tests a regular part of their wellness routine, just like going to the dentist regularly or having their eyesight checked every year—starting when they’re kids. I believe we can do that, which would be the most satisfying legacy of all.”
02
Dr. Anita Altschul Au.D
Was born outside of Chicago and lived in the Indiana suburbs until the age of 12, when they moved to Asheville, North Carolina. Anita studied Psychology at the University of North Carolina Greensboro where they received their Bachelor of the Arts in 2012. A musician in their spare time, they decided to combine their love for helping others and appreciation for sound and thus chose to pursue Audiology. Anita received their Doctorate of Audiology from Louisiana State University- New Orleans in 2016. Anita completed their fellowship in Adrian, Michigan in 2015, and since then has been a Michigan resident.
Anita is passionate about educating people about hearing loss and rehabilitation, so that those with hearing loss can begin to reconnect with their world and loved ones. Anita currently lives in Detroit, MI and has been a resident since July 2017. In their spare time, Anita plays several instruments, tours with a band, and likes to spend time with their cat and dog. They also enjoy sewing, drawing, and most creative endeavors.
03
Jodi Meade
Patient Care Coordinator
Jodi Meade has been with Vanguard from the beginning. With over 20 years of experience in patient care, she had developed a heart for caring for people. Jodi is an integral part of managing both our clinical team and caring about our patients. Jodi is dedicated to protecting every patient’s safety and health in a clinical setting. Through interaction with the healthcare team, patients can depend on open communication about what matters most to their care. Jodi has 2 grown sons and enjoys music, and reading. Her spare time is spent working with a mission outreach that she founded. It was established to serve the needs of the underserved or in need of a helping hand.
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