Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Nichols.
Hi Jay, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 1975, I began my journey as a professional dog trainer. The following year, I attended sound engineering school and later enrolled at East Carolina University. After graduating, I opened a kennel and started working with therapy dogs. Interestingly, I began receiving many requests from hearing-impaired individuals, so I trained the dogs to serve as their ears.
During this time, I also utilized my sound engineering degree by working with various studios and bands. It wasn’t until 1985, while I was in Europe, that I realized how my two passions could come together. On a train, I found it difficult to hear the conductor over the noise. However, a gentleman wearing hearing aids could hear every word perfectly. He explained that his hearing aids contained a telecoil and that the train was equipped with a loop system.
Once I returned to America, I was eager to collaborate with the Hearing Loss Association of America. Eventually, I was invited to join Beltone, one of the oldest hearing aid companies in the United States. However, I didn’t agree with the company’s focus on sales over service, so I decided to leave and start my own business, A1 Affordable Hearing. My goal became to provide people with the best hearing aids at the most competitive prices, while ensuring excellent service.
Today, my company offers over 18 brands and provides service and repairs for all, including over-the-counter hearing aids. We currently operate four clinics in Greenville, Washington, and Williamson, as well as our newest office in Apex.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey to where we are today has been relatively smooth. The technology behind hearing aids has improved dramatically. Thanks to our purchasing power with various companies, we receive significant discounts, which we pass directly on to our patients. With the support of our wonderful staff, we provide excellent service to our communities.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
With my background in audio engineering and a degree in electrical engineering from ECU, I can repair most devices. If a hearing aid can be fixed without sending it back to the factory, I can handle it in my lab. Customers appreciate that we can perform repairs on-site, so they don’t have to wait for their devices to go through the repair process.
What were you like growing up?
When I was young, I was passionate about music and enjoyed repairing electronic equipment, motorcycles, and cars. I still play in a band, but in my younger years, I also tried my hand at stand-up comedy. Through Boy Scouts, school, and my church, I was frequently volunteering for projects that contributed to my community. My interests have stayed consistent throughout the years.
Pricing:
- – We maintain low overhead costs and buy hearing devices in large quantities.
- – This allows us to offer prices that are typically $3,000+ lower than our competitors.
- – If a patient cannot afford hearing aids, we will explore options to help them obtain free or significantly discounted ones.
- – We also provide 0% in-house financing for certain programs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.a1hearingapex.com/ and https://a1affordablehearingnc.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jnuearnc/
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/a1-affordable-hearing-greenville-2/
