How Renowned Hearing Centers Turned a Lunch-and-Learn Into Practice Growth

For Christopher Gelaj of Renowned Hearing Centers, community education has always been central to building trust. He has presented at assisted living facilities, hosted local seminars, and worked to make hearing care feel approachable for people who may be unsure about taking the first step.

His recent WSA-supported Lunch-and-Learn showed what can happen when a patient-first provider has the right marketing support, event structure, and clinical follow-through behind him.

Renowned Hearing Centers hosted its first WSA Marketing Services Lunch-and-Learn for local community members and saw immediate results: approximately 30 people scheduled to attend, 25 came to the event, 24 completed hearing evaluations, and Gelaj estimates that at least 10 became hearing aid patients.

A Community Event That Moved People to Act

The Lunch-and-Learn was promoted with a flyer inviting local residents to attend a free educational lunch focused on hearing health. Attendees were invited to learn, ask questions, and enjoy lunch in a comfortable, low-pressure setting.

The event attracted current hearing aid wearers, potential upgrade candidates, and people who had never been tested.

“This event reached people who may have continued putting off their hearing health,” Gelaj said. “They came in for lunch and education, but they left with a clearer understanding of what they might be missing and why it was worth taking action.”

WSA Support That Elevated the Experience

WSA supported the event with a presentation focused on hearing health, using slides and videos to keep attendees engaged and create natural opportunities for questions. WSA led the presentation, while Gelaj moderated and followed up personally with each attendee afterward.

“The presentation made hearing health feel real for people,” Gelaj said. “They were engaged, they were asking questions, and you could see the message connecting. It gave them the confidence to take the next step.”

After the presentation, Gelaj encouraged each attendee to complete a free hearing test. He framed the evaluation as a no-obligation baseline, which helped reduce hesitation and make the next step feel manageable.

“You have to make people feel comfortable before they are ready to move forward,” he said. “The Lunch-and-Learn created that comfort. It gave people a place to learn, ask questions, and then make a decision that felt right for them.”

A Manufacturer Partner Committed to Practice Growth

For Gelaj, the event reinforced the value of WSA as a business partner.

“WSA showed up in a way that made me feel truly supported,” he said. “Melissa from WSA Consumer Marketing was an outstanding partner throughout the entire process. From the initial planning stages through execution, she brought creativity, organization, and a clear understanding of what would resonate with attendees. They helped create the event, brought in the expertise, and gave our community a professional experience that reflected well on our practice. The Open House exceeded our expectations, generated valuable leads, and left a lasting positive impression on everyone who attended. That kind of support makes a real difference.”

He believes the model works because it brings together strong marketing, meaningful education, and a provider prepared to turn interest into patient care. The Lunch-and-Learn generated qualified local prospects, created trust before the appointment, and gave Gelaj a clear path to continue the conversation inside the practice.

Widex, Signia, and Personalized Patient Choice

The event also gave Renowned Hearing Centers an opportunity to discuss both Widex and Signia, helping patients understand how different technologies support different needs.

Gelaj has fit Signia for years and values the familiarity of the platform.

“With Signia, I know the technology and software well,” he said. “That experience helps me move quickly and confidently when a patient tells me what they need adjusted.”

Widex Allure™ has also become an important option, particularly for patients focused on natural sound and speech clarity.

“Widex Allure gives me a strong option for patients who are looking for more clarity and a more natural listening experience,” Gelaj said. “When someone has tried other hearing aids and still wants speech to sound sharper and more natural, Widex is often where I turn. Compass Cloud™ also helps bring patients into the fitting process because it is clear, visual, and step-by-step. They can see what I’m doing, understand why it matters, and feel like part of the process.”

A Repeatable Model for Local Growth

After one successful event, Gelaj is already planning the next one. He plans to host similar Lunch-and-Learns roughly every two months and expects future events to be even stronger.

Next time, he plans to offer more immediate trials and loaners after the hearing evaluation, giving patients a low-pressure way to experience hearing aids in daily life.

“The first Lunch-and-Learn proved there is a real opportunity here,” Gelaj said. “When people are educated, supported, and given an easy path forward, they respond. I learned a lot from this first event, and I believe the next one can be even stronger.”