Chuck Lawson was the local infamous funny man in the commercials for Springfield Hearing Center, and also my dad, and really the reason I got into this profession.

Dad was hard of hearing ever since I can remember. Being a Vietnam Vet in the Navy on a carrier ship, he was an airplane mechanic and always had his head in an engine or was on the deck with loud planes constantly flying overhead…without hearing protection.

I remember growing up as a child having to constantly talk loudly (yell), being misunderstood, not being able to have a conversation on the phone, and hearing the TV…all the way out in the driveway.

Dad was so funny in his responses to things being said. Not to be made fun of, but just genuinely funny. My dad was a comedian, so he played on that VERY well! We had so many good laughs about misheard things. “Now I heard that…” was not only a tagline in the commercials, but something he would actually say a lot.

Dad always said I should learn another language and I’d always be in demand for a job. I learned ASL and initially wanted to be an interpreter. But my heart called me to the population of people who struggle every day with hearing. With a hearing loss myself, I understood how important it is to provide hearing care for all, even for those who cannot afford it, we find a way.

I will be forever grateful for my dad. Not only for leading me to a profession I love, but for being our spokesperson that so many people adored in the commercials. He is the reason people come here, because they relate to him so easily. Dad was recognized all over town…people would call out to him, “I heard that!” Which he said in every commercial.