Zounds was founded by Sam Thomasson, an Engineer and entrepreneur who has spent his career developing new technologies in the medical device and consumer electronics industries. Sam is also the father of a hearing-impaired daughter and has witnessed the problems associated with today’s hearing aids. Sam promised his daughter that he would develop a hearing aid to address the key problems common with other high-end hearing aids. Zounds’ breakthrough technology is the fulfillment of a father’s promise to his daughter and the solution for dissatisfied hearing aid users around the world.Zounds utilizes a combination of internally developed and exclusively licensed technology from Acoustic Technologies, Inc., where Sam Thomasson is the founder and former CEO. At Acoustic Technologies, Sam created high-performance semiconductor chips and related software with low power usage algorithms that dramatically improved voice and sound quality in cell phones, video phones, desktop phones, conference call phones and automotive communication systems. For Sam, it was a logical extension to leverage this superior technology at Zounds. Zounds’ goal is to offer a portfolio of hearing aids and wireless devices that provide the world’s best performing technology at an affordable price to anyone with a mild, moderate, or moderate/severe hearing loss.
Our long term customers often ask about Kate, and want to know how she is doing. The little girl who inspired the Zounds revolution is now a senior in college, studying electrical engineering. Inspired by her father, she wants to follow in his footsteps by helping others through technology. During school breaks, Kate works with the Zounds team on new technologies that she will someday benefit from herself.
Zounds Hearing of Jacksonville
Our Business: Providing hearing clarity and more fulfilling lives to hearing aid customers in Jacksonville, FL at two Zounds Hearing locations. The first location is now open and is conveniently located steps from Publix in the Windsor Commons plaza at the intersection of Hodges & Butler Blvds. The 2nd location, to be located in the Mandarin area, will open during the 4th Qtr. of 2014. A licensed hearing aid specialist and a customer care specialist will staff each location, which will be open from 9-5pm Monday through Friday plus evenings by appointment.
Competitive Advantages: Zounds holds 57 hearing aid technology patents and is the industry leader in background noise reduction, full hearing range fidelity, and feedback reduction. We are the only provider to offer rechargeable batteries with free lifetime replacements—never buy batteries again! Plus Zounds unique direct from manufacturer to local business owner model allows our customer pricing to be 25% to 50% less than traditional hearing aid providers while delivering cutting edge technology.
Our Mission: Connect with and educate people of all ages on hearing health, hearing loss prevention, and the quality of life improvements achievable with the proper fitting and use of high quality hearing aids.
Our Commitment: Be the top customer-rated hearing aids provider in the Jacksonville, FL market driven by delivering a technologically advanced, value-priced hearing aids backed by top-notch customer service and after sale care. We want you to hear better now, and be our highly satisfied customer for life.
Giving Back: We are committed to fund raising and an ongoing giving campaign for two important causes related to hearing loss: First, Alzheimer’s and Dementia research, given scientific studies have determined that untreated hearing loss leads to an increased risk of the early onset and severity of these diseases. Second, Diabetes research, given studies show that people with diabetes are 50% more likely to suffer from hearing loss and the cause is not yet known.
Our Team
Brad Kirkpatrick is a state licensed hearing aid specialist with over nine years of hearing health industry experience. Brad has had the opportunity to help thousands of patients lead fuller lives through better hearing, is expert in hearing testing and hearing aid fitting, and has worked with most major manufactures’ technology.
Brad’s passion for helping people hear better and lead fuller lives began over nine years ago when he experienced the hearing aid fitting process for a very special patient. The patient was from rural Georgia, suffering from a severe hearing loss that she had lived with for many years. Brad was present at the hearing test, initial fitting and follow up appointment. At that follow up appointment, the patient was so grateful and profoundly moved by the quality of life improvement her hearing aids provided, she broke down in tears (along with everyone else present) and hugged everyone in the room. The experience that day was all it took. Brad decided then and there to become a hearing aid specialist.
Terry Jamerson Hunt is our customer care specialist at Zounds Hearing of Jacksonville. She has over 15 years of customer service and office management experience in the Jacksonville community.
Hearing loss runs rampant on the maternal side of Terry’s family, and her desire is for all who enter the Jacksonville Zounds office to again experience the delight of engaging conversations, clearly hearing the laughter of their loved ones, and filling up their social calendars with the confidence and peace of mind that Zounds advanced hearing aid technology can offer them. Terry grew up in Jacksonville, is an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, and enjoys a morning run before she comes into the Zounds Hearing office. Terry looks forward to meeting you and helping you receive your gift of better hearing.
David Hoppens, owner of Zounds Hearing of Jacksonville, has over 25 years of sales, marketing, customer service, and business unit leadership experience in the transportation field. These opportunities led him and his family on a self-proclaimed ‘corporate gypsy’ journey of great work and family experiences that spanned the continent with 10 moves, 8 homes and 7 school changes.
He and his wife Monica made the decision to become a Zounds owner based on three key criteria. First, it answered David’s calling to own a business he would be passionate about, that would be driven by innovative technology, and be guided by integrity and heart. Second, it allowed David and Monica to offer a product that would make a significant difference in the lives of their customers. Finally, it would allow them to return to and put down roots in Jacksonville, FL, a community they grew to love during their corporate journey.
The Zounds opportunity not only met their criteria, but brought a real sense of excitement and pride with its industry leading technology, affordability and a culture rooted in the cause of improving people’s lives.