Having a nightmare experience at a place such as a hearing center can turn you off altogether. However, it's important not to let one bad experience dictate your opinion about anything.
Take a woman named Lucy,
for example. Nearly a year ago she had been having hearing trouble. So, she decided to visit the local hearing center for help. When she got to the waiting area, there was no one at the front desk. So, she signed in and took a set. She impatiently waited for nearly 25 minutes before a receptionist finally showed up.
"Well, it took her long enough," said Lucy under her breath.
After five more minutes of watching the receptionist nonchalantly play with her hair and file her nails, she finally called Lucy to the front.
"Since this is your first time coming to the hearing center, I need you to fill out this stack of forms" said the receptionist.
Lucy took the stack of papers as she made no attempt to hide her disgust.
"If the rest of the staff is anything like you, this will be my first and last time here," she said as she went back to her seat.
Nearly 30 minutes passed and Lucy was finally called to the back.
"So, what can we help you with today ma'am?" asked the audiologist.
Just as she began to speak, the man's cell phone began to ring.
"Excuse me one second, that's my friend James," he said.
Not knowing whether to be amused or appalled, she sat quietly yet impatiently as she waited for the annoying conversation to end.
"Yes, I saw the soccer game last night and it was horrible," said the man. "I just knew we would win."
Lucy rolled her eyes as she seriously contemplated walking out.
"So, I'll talk to you a little later, I have a patient," he said. "Don't forget about bowling tomorrow."
Finally, after reaching the point of extreme aggravation, Lucy began to grab her belongings as she headed for the door.
"Where are you going ma'am?" asked the specialist. "I haven't checked your ears yet."
Lucy turned around and gave him a mean stare.
"And you won't be checking it," she said. "This has to be the worst business I have every set food in. I'm out of here."
When she got home, she called her friend to tell her about her experience.
"It was absolutely horrible and I'll never go to another hearing center every again," she said. "Mark my words."
"Lucy, I don't think that's the answer," said her friend. "That was just one bad experience."
"You don't know what you're talking about and you just don't understand," said Lucy. "I am done. I will be conducting my own online tests and research from here on out."
"Lucy, you do know that there is another hearing center right across town right?" asked her friend.
Lucy froze for a moment as she thought about how her anger had pushed her into irrational thinking. Not once did she think about the fact that she had other options.
"Oh, I guess you're right," she chuckled, slightly embarrassed.
