Teresa Nelson
Owner
Warner Tech-care Products

Teresa Nelson, who was instrumental in creating the Warner Technologies division of Hagemeyer Tech-care Products in the early 90s, has purchased the assets of Hagemeyer and reestablished it as Warner Tech-care Products Inc. HR spoke with her about the company.

q Tell us a little about the new company.
a Warner Tech-care’s goal is to be the premier supplier in the market that we serve, and to partner with our customers, employees, and vendors to offer quality services and products at a fair price. These goals were the foundation of a very successful organization and will be carried forward to Warner Tech-care Products Inc.

q What are some of the products that you are currently excited about?
a Warner Tech-care has its own group of products that focus on safety and diversity of product line for hearing care professionals, the private label being Tech-care. Tech-care Products has three safe and effective cleaners that are “alcohol free.” Ear Fresh is an ear cleaner and freshener that helps to relieve itchy ears without causing irritation or dry skin. Tech-care has two sizes of earmold cleaners and two sizes of towellettes, which are both “alcohol free” and safe to use on acrylic shells. Some of the company’s other Tech-care products include Ear-gel for ease in instrument insertion, Dri-aid kits to eliminate moisture in aids, and Tech-care ear wax removal kits.

q What does the future look like for the company?
a The company is looking forward to developing new long-term customer relationships while continuing to enjoy our current customer base. The customer service and sales team understands that customers need and pride themselves on product knowledge and service, service, service. We will soon introduce some new products that will enhance the resale capabilities of the hearing care practice. These will include new technologies for UV processes, customized products, and promotional products. There will be a new Web site with online ordering capabilities and a new catalog. While we may be going back to an old name, we are gearing up for a long and fruitful future with all our partners.

Randy Morgan
President & CEO
Westone

Hearing Review recently spoke with Randy Morgan, president and CEO of Westone, Colorado Springs, Colo, about the company’s earmolds and other products.

q So what’s going on at Westone?
a The Westone Music Products division continues to gain momentum. Westone Universal Series and Elite Series monitors are now in use by both big-name touring acts and local “garage bands.” In addition to helping musicians create better music and protect their hearing, it’s another chance for local hearing health care providers to get involved in their communities. Our monitors are also quite popular with the growing audiophile and gamer markets.

q What is your company best known for?
a Westone Laboratories is the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of custom otoplastics for hearing health care applications. In addition to manufacturing custom products for the hearing-impaired population, we also manufacture custom earpieces for a variety of other applications including industrial and recreational hearing protection, the military, professional musicians, and much more. Our experience in custom fabrication has led to many challenges, successfully met by our innovative and creative employees, such as production of our own catalog and marketing materials, design of production equipment, the creation of prosthetic ears, and even earmolds for show horses!

q What role does technology play in your company?
a Westone is always on the lookout for new and innovative ideas and products. As related technology and tools become more sophisticated, we monitor possible applications to what we do. Many of the products that we produce for music and military applications involve advanced technologies that are continually being refined.

q What do you envision happening in the future?
a As 3D and digital mapping technology advances, we will ultimately become an “impressionless” industry, with earmolds and hearing aids ordered online. With the spread of hearing protection education, and as the stigma associated with wearing something in your ear decreases, more sophisticated hearing protection and communication solutions will be made available. We envision the day when you will be able to perform many day-to-day functions by simply “speaking out of your ear.”