Albertsons Partners with Hearing Wellness Network to Offer Free Hearing Test Kiosks at 24 Stores

Albertsons Companies will provide free hearing tests to customers in 24 stores using a unique testing kiosk developed by Hearing Wellness Network. The diagnostic test expands Albertsons Companies' health and wellness services to customers by offering a quick and easy method to diagnose possible problems and promote hearing awareness. Kiosks are now available as part of a pilot program at participating Albertsons, ACME, Jewel-Osco, Safeway, Shaw's, Star Market and Tom Thumb stores.

To use the self-serve kiosk Hearing Touch Machine, located near the store pharmacy, a customer places headphones on and follows a set of interactive screen instructions. A video guide walks them through a series of hearing tones for each ear, which takes only a few minutes. Upon completion, the customer receives a summary of their hearing health, including whether there are any signs of hearing loss. They then have the choice to click to get a free consultation with a local hearing professional or have their free hearing report emailed to them.

"Hearing health is a very important factor for overall physical health," says Mark Panzer, senior vice president of pharmacy, health and wellness for Albertsons Companies. "Hearing Wellness Network has developed a simple, convenient and effective way to help people learn about their hearing health status and when it's time to take action. We're excited to bring this service to our customers."

Hearing Wellness Network is a privately held company based in Cary, Ill., that specializes in raising awareness of hearing wellness and services by hearing professionals to the general public throughout North America.

"Our goal has always been to bring hearing health awareness to the forefront. Knowing the average person takes over seven years to seek help with hearing loss, we created this program to tangibly improve hearing wellness and reduce this timeframe," says Ted Nenov, managing partner of Hearing Wellness Network. "By partnering with a major player in the pharmacy and wellness arena, like Albertsons Companies, we can significantly impact hearing health and wellness."