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.

After 28 years working for a large St. Louis company, Gregg decided to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. He was drawn to Zounds because of the opportunity to help people with hearing difficulties and build a business that would make a positive contribution to the St. Louis area. He was also inspired by the President of Zounds, Sam Thomasson, and his goal of bringing hearing solutions to everyone by developing high quality products at a reasonable price.

He is joined in the business by his wife Robin, a registered Nurse.

Darla Queen, a National Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist, started her quest to help the hearing impaired at an early age, because her father and grandmother were hearing impaired. She grew up with an understanding of how a hearing impairment could affect an individual as well as their family, and wanted to make a difference in the lives of others.

Darla began her career as a Hearing Specialist in 1985 in Cape Girardeau, MO. Then in 1996 she took her education to a higher level when she became National Board Certified in the Hearing Sciences.

Darla owned her own business for 17 years as a multi-line hearing specialist before she was recruited by Zounds
Hearing in 2007. She helped to open the first Zounds Locations in the St Louis area, managing 2 stores, training
other hearing specialist throughout the Central Region, and is one of the top Zounds producers in the US. Darla
continues to fulfill her lifelong dream of “helping people solve their hearing problems”.