How A Pay-It-Forward Gift Changed A Man’s Life

Miracle-Ear patient Heath Woods received a pay-it-forward gift that changed his life forever. Woods suffered with hearing loss for multiple years and out of necessity put off obtaining the hearing help he desperately needed.

“My hearing problem got to a point it started causing issues in my home. It’s frustrating when you can’t hear people at work or want to go to church but can’t hear the sermon,” Woods said. “It’s just very discouraging to lose your hearing and not be able to do anything about it.”

Woods had tried a mail order pair of hearing aids in the past and they helped somewhat, but only for a couple of years.

One day, a Miracle-Ear Facebook post caught Wood’s attention. A nearby Miracle-Ear office was offering open appointments. Woods said he thought why not at least go in and see what Miracle-Ear is about.

“Always in the back of my mind though – I knew I just couldn’t afford them,” Woods said about making his first appointment at Miracle-Ear.

That’s when he met Laurie Guerrero, a hearing care professional at the Miracle-Ear Bentonville, Arkansas, location. She understood the hesitancy from Woods and immediately told him all she needed was a little of his time and no commitment to purchase anything. Woods agreed.

After the hearing test was completed, Guerrero placed a pair of hearing aids programed specifically to Wood’s hearing loss in his ears. Woods said hearing for the first time with the new devices was overwhelming – “It felt like butterflies flying through my chest.”

“He was overcome with emotion, which just struck me,” Guerrero said. “We get some people in the office that are quite stoic, but when you really get someone to be able to hear that overwhelming emotion just comes over you. I could tell it made such a big difference for him.”

Woods left the office without hearing aids. He wanted to discuss the experience with his wife. The couple decided to visit Guerrero together and see what options or payment plans they could make work.

During this time, unfortunately, another patient had passed away. The family came to Guerrero and wanted their loved one’s hearing aids to be a pay-it-forward gift for someone in need. This one family’s caring generosity was about to change the quality of life for a man long suffering from hearing loss.

Guerrero said she knew those gifted hearing aids were for meant for him. Upon meeting with Woods and his wife, the couple started to talk about options they might need to look at and that’s when Guerrero stopped them.

“I told him that I happened to have a great pair sitting right here and explained about the family’s gift and that he was the recipient of some mighty good hearing aids,” Guerrero said.

Woods and his wife were stunned.

“I was blown away. I couldn’t believe it. You don’t come across that type of generosity every day,” Woods said. “I was so struck by it. It still gets me emotional.”

Woods explained that the best part of having quality hearing aids is being able to have conversations with his family around the dinner table. Also, just everything he had been missing, like the sound of a door clicking, running water and the birds chirping.

Woods left a Google Review after his experience. “I hope people come across that review and really read it. I hope it inspires somebody to make an appointment and maybe they’ll be able to work something out – a payment plan or what ever it might be,” Woods said. “Heck, maybe there will be another pay-it-forward for someone. It’s just too important in life not to be able to hear!”

Watch the full episode of The Advocates podcast featuring Heath Woods – HERE.

Miracle-Ear hearing aids come with a lifetime of free after care for the devices. This includes elements, such as cleanings, adjustments, and yearly comprehensive hearing exams to ensure continuous crystal-clear sound.

If you or a loved one are suffering from hearing loss, click here. We have options for every lifestyle and budget.