Eyes may be the windows to our soul but new research suggests that the path to true wellness may actually begin with our ears. We sat down with Craig Lett and Melissa “Mel” Owen from Resonate to find out more about their holistic approach to hearing health.
Craig and Mel, tell us about yourselves, your work, and how you started your journey as hearing health practitioners?
Mel: I was born in the United States and moved to New Zealand 10 years ago. After finishing school I worked at a care home for Alzheimer’s patients, which is where I found my calling: helping others. After getting a degree in social work, I moved to New Zealand – and the front desk in an audiology clinic. I knew it was the right profession for me after seeing the profound difference hearing aids can have on a person’s life.
Craig: I grew up in Auckland so this area (the North Shore) is home to me. I’ve always loved helping people and originally trained and worked as a teacher before going back to Uni to study for my Masters in Audiology. I love it so much I’m now completing my PhD.
Tell us about your specialties / strengths and what you love most about your careers / jobs?
Mel: Working with and really listening to people is one of my strengths. My other is organising and keeping the business side of things running smoothly. I love working with Resonate because I get to do all of those things on a daily basis.
Craig: Audiology is really about really listening to and understanding each client, their needs, and what great hearing health looks like for them. When you get that right it absolutely changes people’s lives.
Your Founder & CEO, James Whittaker has worked in hearing health for a long time. What prompted him to found Resonate?
Mel: James could see that the industry needed to change and become far more customer-focused so that’s what Resonate has set out to do. Everything starts with giving our clients a brilliant experience – from our amazing studios which are designed to be really comfortable and welcoming, to our Ear360 ear and hearing health assessments which go way beyond typical hearing checks to really empower customers to understand the link between hearing and overall health. If people need hearing devices, Resonate offers top-of-the-line technology at a much more affordable price point than other providers – and everything is included: you get unlimited support and servicing and you can return your devices at any time, no questions asked.
What’s one thing that people would be surprised to know about ear and hearing health.
Mel: A mild untreated hearing loss can double your risk of dementia! Studies are showing more and more the link between hearing loss and other brain functions and the importance of being proactive about hearing health. When I started working here, I found that I have an extended audibility loss and so I got fitted with hearing aids. The night I got them I was able to fall asleep much faster. I didn’t realise how much I had been struggling to hear; suddenly it felt like my brain just didn’t have to work so hard and I had so much more energy for other things.
Craig: If there’s one thing we’re hoping to help change with Resonate it’s to encourage more people to make ear and hearing a regular part of their health care. Most people don’t realise that hearing has a huge part to play in our overall health. Sleep, balance, and memory are just some of the areas of our lives that are impacted when we have poor hearing – and unlike some areas of our health it’s all fixable. You don’t have to just put up with it.
When a patient walks through your door, what are the key priorities?
Mel: Make them feel at home and listened to, heard and cared for – meet their needs. Our hearing aid subscription service is just such a stress-free, risk-free option for people to dip their toes in the water and give modern hearing aids a go. It’s free for one month, top level tech and you get new devices every three years.
Craig: Ultimately, we want all Kiwis to feel as comfortable about understanding their hearing health as they are about getting an eye test. It’s estimated almost 900,000 New Zealanders currently have some form of hearing loss; we want to break down the stigma of getting hearing care and put them in control of their hearing health.
The highlights of working with Resonate?
Mel: The values are simple and align with my own. There is total transparency in all that is done – with customers but also with how the business is run. The team is so knowledgeable and encouraging, I feel very lucky to be a part of it.
Craig: It’s really special to be part of an organisation that’s doing something different; with traditional audiology you go for a test and essentially get a pass or fail. Here at Resonate the emphasis is much more on overall wellness and putting the customer’s needs first – we’re very passionate about that; and from the feedback we’re starting to get; people tell us that’s what they’re experiencing, which is great.
Anything you’d like to say to people who have putting off getting their ears checked?
Mel: Yes! Don’t put it off – come in and see us. Modern hearing devices are amazing – you can wear them just about anywhere (I even do yoga in mine!) and they’re so discreet. Everything is managed through an app on your phone so you can be in a café with friends and turn the volume up or down without anyone even noticing. You can stream music or podcasts straight to your hearing devices or even answer a call on your phone. If you’ve been struggling to hear you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make when you finally give your poor tired brain a break. You can get so much energy back.
To find out more, visit resonatehealth.co.nz
