Klinton Pilling, founder, says, “Our first year in business has been an amazing experience! Plenty of ups and downs, but very positive overall. Although I had worked in the hearing health industry for over 20 years, I was never directly involved with the day-to-day tasks of running a business. I had to learn, on the fly, the ins and outs of marketing, bookkeeping, web design, and more.”
The hard work is well worth it, as he adds with a smile, “We've grown from zero clients in our system on day one, to over 600 happy clients one year later.”
Klinton is deeply passionate about helping others improve their hearing and enhance their quality of life. After earning his Electronics Engineering Technology Diploma from NAIT in 1999, Klinton began his career as a Hearing Aid Technician at Thibodeau's and Living Sounds, gaining extensive knowledge in repairing and modifying all styles of hearing aids. Seeking to further advance his career, he graduated from the Hearing Aid Practitioner Program at Grant MacEwan University in 2009. Between 2010 and 2014, he worked as a Registered Hearing Aid Practitioner at Living Sounds Hearing Centre. Klinton is a member of several industry organizations, including the College of Hearing Aid Practitioners of Alberta, the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences, the International Hearing Society, and the Canadian Hearing Instrument Practitioners Society.
The rapid growth of St. Albert Hearing is due to the hard work of the team and focus on customer service.
"We work very hard to provide excellent professional care and follow up service to each and every one of our clients, in a pressure-free environment,” notes Klinton. “We set up clients with demo hearing aids to try so they can see the benefits of wearing aids. We then help them decide on which styles and options are optimal for them, as every hearing loss is different, and each client has unique needs and priorities. Our receptionist wears hearing aids; she understands the struggles that clients may face when their devices aren't working properly. She makes every effort to book clients to come in right away if they need immediate help. We also provide our clients with loaner aids if/when their devices need to be sent for repair.”
The team knows that hearing plays a vital role in how we connect with the world, especially as we age or work in environments that can strain our ears. For many adults, gradual hearing loss or persistent conditions such as tinnitus can disrupt daily life. Early signs can include turning up the television volume, frequently asking others to repeat themselves, or avoiding noisy environments. Annual hearing tests, much like regular eye exams, should be part of your health routine. A hearing test or assessment at St. Albert Hearing helps to identify any issues promptly, providing you with a detailed audiogram that pinpoints your exact hearing levels.
Klinton adds, “One of the most important things about hearing health is that people usually don't realize how much a hearing loss can affect their mental health and overall well-being. Someone with even a mild hearing loss may shy away from social settings or struggle to understand simple instructions at work. This can cause confusion, reduced confidence, and social isolation.”
One should never hesitate to get their hearing checked, says Klinton.
“I always tell people that hearing loss is more noticeable than a hearing aid. If you ask people to repeat themselves often, if you speak out of turn, or misunderstand questions and say the wrong reply, people will notice that more. With today's hearing aid technology and features, and the ability to hear in difficult situations while having comfortable and almost invisible fitting devices for all budgets, there is really no reason not to come in and try a hearing aid demo and change your life!”
Whether you're a senior, a military veteran, or someone frequently exposed to noisy work environments, understanding your hearing health gives you the power to take early action.
The clinic offers a wide range of services tailored to meet your needs, including:
- Hearing tests and audiograms: Gain a complete understanding of your hearing health with their comprehensive assessments.
- Hearing aids: With a variety of brands, St. Albert Hearing ensures you’ll find a device that fits your lifestyle and comfort. You can even try them out for free with their no-pressure demo and trial products.
- Hearing aid repairs and supplies: Whether your device needs a simple check-up or detailed repairs, their same-day or same-week service ensures minimal downtime.
- Cerumen (wax) removal: A safe and professional solution to blocked ears caused by wax build-up, which can impair hearing.
- Tinnitus management: Relief is possible for that persistent ringing in your ears with expert advice and tailored solutions.
- Help with hearing in noise and group settings: Using advanced technology and expert guidance, the clinic helps improve clarity in more challenging listening environments.
St. Albert Hearing works directly with organizations such as Veterans Affairs Canada and Workers’ Compensation Board to ensure you get the care and support to which you are entitled. The team also partners with several trusted benefit programs, including RCMP, AADL, ASEBP, ARTA, and more, ensuring accessibility for all. Combine this with same-day service, highly competitive pricing, and professional expertise, and you’ve got a clinic that truly puts people first.
Take the first step toward better hearing. Call or visit St. Albert Hearing today to book your hearing test or consultation. When it comes to hearing, the sooner you act, the more there is to gain.
