Corporate:20350N.CaveCreekRd.,Suite130 Phoenix,Arizona85024 Onlineat:www.ArizonaHears.

com April2011

DearFriend, Nowthatthecoldweatherisbehindusandthehotterdaysarequicklyapproaching,Iknowthatmanyofyou willsoonbetravelingtoyoursummerhomesincoolerclimates.Ihopeallofyouwhodotravelhaveasafetripandwe lookforwardtoseeingyouinthefallwhenyoureturn. Thismonth,IwouldliketointroduceCelinaFain,DirectorofPatientCareforourofficeinLakeHavasuCity. CelinacametoPrTonejustoverfouryearsagoandbeganasaCoordinatorofFirstImpressions.Shesoonrealizedthe rewardsofhelpingpeoplehearbetter,soshebeganstudyingandsuccessfullypassedtheArizonaStateboardwritten andpracticalexam.Shortlythereafter,Celinabecamelicensedtodispensehearinginstruments,withherpromotion soontofollow.Afterspendingmostofherlifeexcellingincustomerservice,Celinasays,WorkingatPrToneallowsme tohelppeopleinawaythattrulyhasmeaningandchangeslivesdaily. FamilyisveryimportanttoCelina,andstayingclosetohermother,siblings,niecesandnephewsisthereason shemovedtoLakeHavasu.Mostofall,Celinaisveryproudofhertwodaughters.Celinasoldestisinherfirstyearat EasternArizonaCollege,aspiringtobeapoliceofficer,andheryoungestwillbeginthisfallatLakeHavasuHighSchool. CelinahelpschoreographroutinesfortheLHHSBandofKnightsColorGuard,ofwhichheroldestdaughterwascaptain fortwoyears,andheryoungestplanstofollowinthosefootsteps.Celinaalsohasaboyfriend,whoshesaysprovides strengthandencouragementtohelpherachievehergoalsandfacelifeschallenges. Asalways,Iappreciatehearingyourcomments,suggestionsandsuccessstories(wemayevenshareyour personalstoryinourmonthlyEvidenceofSuccesspostcard).OnbehalfofallofusatPrTone,thankyouinadvancefor referringyourfriendsandrelativestousaswelookforwardtobeingyourHearingConsultantsforLife. Sincerely,

Brian Jason
BrianJason,BSM PracticeReferralManager BJason@PurToneUSA.com Corporate6029713900 Direct6239351700 CelinaFain,HISDPC

APRIL 2011

Presidents corner
Edward Maznio, President

april showers bring may flowers

This short limerick, an uplifting ditty often repeated during springtime rains, are encouraging words to those who have endured the cold and barren days of winter. Its a reminder that warmer weather is on its way. As the first green shoots of new grass and daffodils poke their noses through the cold and muddy soil, these infant ornaments of nature make their first appearance for the season, confirming that spring has, indeed, come again. The fragile little plants are a refreshing reminder of the new birth associated with springtime. The celebration of new life fills the warming days of spring, and the egg is recognized as its universal symbol. Rebirth is seen everywhere, with the birthing of colts and cattle, the emergence of budding trees and flowers, and the amazing transformation of caterpillars into butterflies. The rabbit, known to grow its family in fast and large numbers, is associated from ancient times with fertility. It is this prolificacy that puts the rabbit at the top of the list for representing spring, and new birth. Some sources say that the tradition of the Easter Bunny was brought to America by German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania in the 1700s. It was common among the German children to build a nest for the mythical egg-laying hare, providing a place for the unusual creature to put its colored eggs. They would leave carrots for the Osterhaus to eat. Eventually these customs traveled through the cities, towns and villages and have, over time, graduated to include chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, a hunt for colored eggs, and gifts of all kinds. And, as we turn the calendar over and spring into April, we cant help but notice the special dates printed in the squares beginning with April Fools Day on the first. Many people circle the celebrations of Palm Sunday, Easter and Passover, set in April this year. But the date that captures everyones attention is, of course, smack-dab in the middle of the month: April 15th. To every U.S. citizen, April 15th is as recognizable as July 4th or December 25th. No one misses income tax day. For some, this brings a smile because they know they have a refund coming. But to most, it means pulling out a myriad of records, forms, and tax receipts, a daunting task that is a procrastinators biggest nightmare. We hope youve already prepared. If not, nows the time to set that appointment with your CPA or get out your computer and Turbo-Tax. Uncle Sam awaits!

FROM THE PRESIDENT:

Greetings, friends! Life is exciting here at PrTone. We recently brought our staff members together for our Quarterly Associate Meeting, our first for the year. Our agenda focused on setting systems and staff procedures in place to ensure that PrTone has the most motivated and productive front office and support staffs, and the most qualified audiology and dispensing professionals that can be found to provide excellence in evaluation and fitting protocols. PrTone will encompass all of the attributes of the paramount hearing aid dispensing offices that we strive to be for Arizona, with our ultimate goal being to improve our customers total hearing experience. We had a lively discussion and received constructive feedback which we anticipate will help us better serve you, our valued clients. During our meeting, we initiated our new Vision Statement, which states, in part: We will provide a unique high-touch, caring, and worry-free environment and experience for our patients, and look forward to developing loyalty and life-long relationships in return. PrTone will provide employee mentorship to produce industryleading care and accountability for the benefit of our patients, and we will not fear early implementation of cutting-edge technology, systems, vendors or products. PrTone willGo First and Lead the Way! Our team came away from the meeting with clear vision and focus. We believe each of you play an important role and we welcome your input throughout the days ahead. As always, happy hearing!

Funny Bone
A cheerful heart is good medicine
Proverbs 17:22

What is the More Common Name for Tympanic Membrane?

Everyone who faxes, emails, or calls in the correct answer by the last business day of April, 2011, will be entered into a drawing for a Chilis Restaurant

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Better Hearing

Still getting accustomed to her new status as widow, Diane wasnt anxious to engage in idle chatter with strangers. But, while sitting under the dryer at the hairdresser, a chatty lady next to her started to make friendly conversation, asking about her work and family, etc. Diane reluctantly engaged in the small talk and graciously answered the friendly womans questions. When the hairdresser was ready to comb out Dianes perm, Chatty Kathy offered a kind, but erroneous, sign-off: I hope your husband makes a quick comeback. Startled, Diane looked at the woman in dismay. What do you mean? she asked. I hope your husband gets well soon, the lady responded. Still perplexed, Diane slowly answered, I dont expect that to happen To which Chatty Kathy said enthusiastically, Well, I hope he gets over his disease soon, whatever it is. Have a good day! It was then that Diane realized the dear lady had misunderstood when she had told her that Mike was deceased, not diseased.

$25.00 Dining Certificate.

The winner will be selected by random drawing of participants. Februarys Quiz Question Winner is Gary P. from Peoria. Watch for your name next month!

Congratulations to Harold G. of Congratulations to Boyd M. of Glendale, our Client of the Month for Lake Havasu City, our Client of the December. Month for March. As always, the As always, the Client of the Month Client of the Month will receive a free receives a free lunch with two friends lunch with two friends and PrTones and PrTones President and Founder, President and Founder, Edward Maznio, at Chilis Restaurant & Edward Maznio. Grill. Call me to find out how YOU Call me to find out how YOU can become a Client of the Month! can become a Client of the Month!

Decembers MARCHS Client of the Month CLIENT OF THE MONTH

WELCOME, NEW CLIENTS!

Among many others, here are some of the new clients who became members of our PrTone Family this past month. Id like to welcome you, and wish you all the best! Celeste M. from Omaha
(referred by Boyd M.)

Rita H. from Lake Havasu City

(referred by Clara H.)

Charles S. from Lake Havasu City

(referred by Lloyd J.)

Stan K from Surprise

(referred by Kent P.)

Edith A. from Buckeye

(referred by Barbara G.)

Donald M. from Lake Havasu City

(referred by Boyd M.)

Glennel L. from Palo Verde

(referred by Marvin J.)

Larry C. from Goodyear (referred by Virginia C.) ** We extend sincere apologies to Tom T. and his referral, Georgia L., both of Goodyear. Last month we erroneously reported Georgia as George. We sincerely regret the error.

We love giving recognition to our new friends and our wonderful existing clients who are kind enough to refer their friends, family and neighbors to us. Thank you so much for your kind support. We sincerely appreciate you.

APRILS CALENDAR STARTS WITH APRIL FOOLS DAY

Someone asked the question: Is it possible there is any connection between April being chosen as the month to pay taxes and to celebrate April Fools Day? Hmm. While thinking that over, here are a few facts about the IRS you may not know: The average family pays over 38% of their total income to the IRS which is more than they spend on food and shelter combined. The federal government spends $10 BILLION per year to pay over 114,000 staff employees! Thats more than double the CIA, and five times more than the FBI! If the number of papers the IRS sends out every tax season (8 BILLION PAGES!) were laid end-to-end, it would wrap around the earth 28 times!! The 1040EZ form has 33 pages of instruction! Over 300,000 trees are cut down each year to print all the forms and documents required by the IRS. The initial income tax charged in July, 1861 was 3%, on incomes over $800. (Thats equal to $165,000 today, which will pay 28% in taxes in 2011.) At the present time, the lowest bracket is 10%; the top bracket is 35%.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

EASTER BASKET SUNRISE SERVICE MATZAH BALL SOUP CHOCOLATE EGGS PALM SUNDAY PASSOVER FEAST PEEPS AND JELLY BEANS RESURRECTION COLORED EGG HUNT EASTER BUNNY EASTER BONNETS ON PARADE

HAVE YOU SEEN THE SCRAMBLED WORDS ON THE BACK PAGE?

CALL US TODAY AND ASK ABOUT OUR

COUPON GOOD UNTIL 04/30/2011

HEARING IN STROBE CAN BE FRUSTRATING

When we test for hearing, we measure how you respond to a series of beeping tones across a broad range of frequencies. Typically this starts at a very low 250Hz (hertz) and continues up the scale to the very high frequency of 8000Hz. We often have people ask us why we check hearing this way when speech isnt heard in beeping tones, but in words. Testing with the Pure Tone beeping tones is critical to evaluate where you do hear certain sounds, and where you dont. Many patients come to the office and say, I can hear someone talking to me; I just dont understand all of the words clearly. Words are made up of a combination of sounds that span the testing range mentioned above. Actually, the total range of speech covers an even larger spectrum of sound, but the vast majority of English words fall in the 250Hz - 8000Hz scale. On the testing chart (audiogram), the low tone frequencies are recorded on the left side. This is where many of the dominant vowel sounds are heard. If you put your fingers right on your Adams Apple and say the vowel sounds, AEI, you can feel the vibration from your voice very easily. As a rule, you will also hear these sounds quite clearly. These are the more powerful voice sounds you hear when someone is talking to you from down the hallway in your home, or perhaps from a closet. You know they are telling you something, but you have no idea what they are saying! This is the result of hearing some sounds better than others. You likely hear bits and pieces of words. It can be likened to hearing through a strobe light parts of sentences seem to blink in and out. For example, you may hear gold medal winner as _old _eda_ __nner and your brain just cannot comprehend what you thought you heard. You try to figure it out: Who is old Eda somebody-or-other? Whos he talking about? And this is how you get into trouble trying to follow a conversation. The speakers next words are missed while youre trying to figure out what you heard. In the English/American language, we have some vowel sounds in the higher ranges, but this is mainly where some of the more difficult (soft consonant) sounds are heard. Again, if you put your fingers on your Adams Apple and speak the softer phonetic sounds (th, f or s), you will quickly note the lack of vibration that these sounds create. These sounds are made with the tongue and lips, rather than in the throat. Obviously, these sounds are softer and more challenging to hear than the stronger vowel sounds tested above. So why does all this matter? Most hearing losses fall in the high-frequency range and cause great difficulty for the listener. If you feel like you hear through a strobe light, give us a call. A hearing test will reveal if you need to bring your hearing back into focus. Remember, were here to help.

PrTone Corporate Office

20350 N. Cave Creek Rd., Ste. 130 Phoenix, Arizona 85024 602-971-3900 or 888-614-HEAR E-Mail: HealthyHearing@PurToneUSA.com Web: www.ArizonaHears.com

COPYRIGHT AUDIOGENIC, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

LOONEY LAW: BODY OIL USED TO SHOW OFF A BODYBUILDERS BICEPS IS CONSIDERED A LEGITIMATE TAX DEDUCTION.

STREAMIN ALONG
Do you spend extended periods of time listening to a particular electronic device, such as your television, stereo, etc.? This could include things like a music program, an iPod or an MP3 player, or over-the-internet programs such as YouTube. In most cases, if you do have a particular system that you prefer, chances are we have equipment available that can help you hear your favorite program(s) very clearly. The whole hearing industry is starting to manufacture converters that very easily plug into a selected device, sending the programs signal directly into your hearing aids for better clarity. While using off-the-shelf amplifiers (like TV Ears) offers analog sound louder in your ears, the new streamers have digital sound that travels through the program right into your hearing aids! This provides you a crisper, clearer voice or musical tone that is balanced to compensate for your specific hearing loss. All of this without the heavy weight or nuisance of a headset in your ears! An exciting added benefit to these streamers is that you can watch television and carry on a conversation with someone in the room. You can also hear other sounds such as a doorbell or telephone, because you still have the option to hear all the sounds in your environment while receiving a direct signal from your chosen electronic device (tv, stereo, etc.). If you are interested in learning more about how these systems can benefit you, and keep your viewing/listening partner happy by keeping the volume down, call us today and ask about the streamer I read about in the newsletter.

Answers can be found inside on page 3.

1. SETRKAETSABE BUNNY LEAVES THIS 2. ISCRVEUSENIERS PREDAWN MEETING 3. BLSMTPHOLAZAUA SEDER BROTH 4. GCOEETLHOSCAG SPECIAL BUNNY TREAT 5. ADPYSMNULA THINK DONKEY AND SHEAVES 6. SFPSTAVERSAEO JEWISH CELEBRATION 7. PELNAJEBSLEPYNESAED TWO EASTER CANDY FAVORITES 8. RCOURSENRITE TO RISE FROM DEATH 9. OHCLGNROGODEEUT KIDS LOVE THE SEARCH 10. EBSNTYRAUNE MYTHICAL CHARACTER 11. NSTNEBRTSPAEDENORAEO PROUD DISPLAY OF HATS *HINT: SEVERAL PUZZLES CONTAIN MORE THAN ONE WORD OR MAY INCLUDE THE WORD AND

FUN FACTS: THERE ARE 526 TAX FORMS FOR U.S. CITIZENS TO USE. THE EASIEST FORM, THE 1040-EZ, HAS 33 PAGES OF INSTRUCTIONS!