Community Corner
HearingLife Brings Hearing Care to Barrington/Hoffman Estates Area
Local hearing expert helps neighbors hear what matters most
This is a paid post contributed by a Patch Community Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own, and the information presented has not been verified by Patch.
When hearing instrument specialist Greg Gentile is out and about in the community and shares what he does for a living, he often has to explain his job to others.
“A lot of people don’t realize being a hearing instrument specialist is a job,” Gentile says. “They think you can only get hearing aids from an ENT and it’s a complicated medical thing – but it doesn’t have to be. I tell them that I get to help people with hearing tests and hearing aids for a living.”
Gentile works for HearingLife, a national hearing care company with over 600 locations throughout the U.S., that offers free hearing tests and a full range of hearing aids for every lifestyle and budget.
“I really love having a job where I get to truly help people,” says Gentile. “I recently had a young man come into the office who had a very outdated hearing aid and a severe hearing loss, including total deafness in one ear. We were able to set him up with a brand-new, top-of-the-line hearing aid using his insurance. He was so grateful because he knew he couldn’t afford it otherwise.”
Insurance plans cover hearing aids more often now than ever before and HearingLife’s large, national footprint means they have a team of insurance specialists who help maximize benefits for customers who need hearing devices.
“It was so great to set him up with the newest technology – they have everything a young guy especially would want, including Bluetooth™ technology for streaming so he can talk on the phone again,” Gentile said, noting that when he came in with the broken devices, the customer couldn’t use the phone at all and often had to use paper and pencil to communicate.
But hearing aids are not just for those with severe hearing loss. In fact, the sooner someone with a mild hearing loss gets hearing aids, the better for their long-term success with the devices.
“If someone has hearing loss, the best thing you can do is start wearing hearing aids right away,” Gentile says. “That way your brain can continue to hear and process sound as normally as possible, and you can keep enjoying the activities and conversations that matter to you.”
While hearing loss may be common as you age, Gentile explained that it should not be left unaddressed. Hearing loss can contribute to withdrawal from social activities and increased rates of depression
and anxiety1. Plus, hearing aid technology has come so far in recent years that the devices are
better-sounding and more discreet than ever.
“I always tell people, no one notices your hearing aids unless they wear them too,” Gentile says. “I never used to see them when I was out at weddings or restaurants and now I’ll notice a few pairs everywhere I go – but it’s just because I’m looking for them!”
Gentile emphasized that care and hearing aid recommendations at HearingLife are highly customized for each person’s needs. While some folks want and need top technology, others have quieter lifestyles that don’t require it. Purchases at HearingLife include extensive aftercare and coaching so you can fine-tune and really get the most out of the hearing aids you choose.
“I always take the time to get to know someone’s hobbies and lifestyle factors before I recommend the right hearing aid for them,” he said. “It’s really important to understand their needs and their hearing loss through an extensive testing process before discussing recommendations and insurance coverage.”
The hearing tests at HearingLife are provided free of charge, allowing anyone to find out if they have hearing loss that needs to be addressed. Gentile says that every week he gets a handful of folks who come in for a test and pass it with no hearing loss at all. And he regularly brings screening and education events to the community for those who may not be aware of their hearing loss.
“It’s always smart to establish a baseline of your hearing,” Gentile explained. “We recommend everyone get a hearing test annually starting at age 60, but you should come in sooner if you’re noticing any signs of hearing loss like trouble hearing the television or phone.”
HearingLife opened a brand-new location in the Hoffman Estates/Barrington area in early 2026 and Gentile’s team has been busy letting the community know who they are and what they’re all about. They’re hosting an official Grand Opening Celebration on April 29th from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m., and the community is invited to stop by to meet Greg, get a free hearing screening and learn more.
If you can’t make it to the Grand Opening, you can schedule a free hearing test with Greg on the website: https://www.hearinglife.com/hearing-aids-centers/illinois/barrington
or by calling 312-912-9570.
- Lawrence, B. J., Jayakody, D. M. P., Bennett, R. J., Eikelboom, R. H., Gasson, N., & Friedland, P. L. (2020). Hearing loss and depression in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Gerontologist, 60(3), e137–e154. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnz009
This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local brand partner. To learn more, click here.
