DEAN EASTERWOOD VETERAN HEALTH HERO Sincere, humble, astute, and selfless are a few words that can be used to describe Dean Easterwood, a Board-Certified Licensed Hearing Aid Specialist in the states of Florida and Alabama. From serving the country as a solider in the United States Army and the Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Milton, and Jay areas of Florida as President of Ears 2 Hear hearing centers, Dean has exuded great confidence in serving others. Recalling his six-year service in the military as a Combat Engineer - Demolitions Specialist, Mr. Easterwood stated: “When I reported to basic training on June 3, 1980, I made the largest stride toward manhood. Attention to detail still sticks with me today as a Hearing Aid Specialist. I look at the whole picture – I can point out when a patient might need to see an otolaryngologist or dermatologist, if I suspect they might have a virus, et cetera. I learned that even the smallest details matter. In the military, if you don’t tie up your bootlaces, they come untied at the most inopportune time and potentially lead to worse things. That attention to detail aspect carries over into every part of your life. At work, you make sure tools are wiped down daily, in-between patients. Being very thorough and disciplined leads to gold service of practice. Not just in your work, but at home, too – buttons aligned, and shoes cleaned. I see this in a lot of other service members who are now civilians. But being able to take care of someone, treating people right, building relationships and teams? That’s a lot bigger than being a Hearing Aid Specialist. I feel as if I’m in the communication business. We improve the quality of life of the hearing impaired and their families by testing, dispensing, and fitting the best hearing ME D I CA L QUA L I T Y A S S UR ANC E | F L O R I D A V E T E R A N H E A L T H H E R O E S 1 1 solution for the patient’s hearing loss, lifestyle, and budget. The tasks of that have their own reward: people crying in your chair when they haven’t heard well in so long, working with hospice units… If there was ever a time to need hearing aids but not know how to get them it, it would be through when the patient is in the hospice care. Ears 2 Hear hospice programwe have provides aids for those patients.” One of his most memorable military experiences was completing Airborne Leadership School and being awarded the Army Parachutist Badge, an accomplishment commonly referred to as “earning your wings.” Mr. Easterwood served honorably in the United States Army for six years before excelling in the automotive industry of the civilian workforce for 23 years. Mr. Easterwood has provided dedicated hearing care to the Florida community since 2006 and was notably appointed to the Florida Board of Hearing Aid Specialists in 2021. When he is not serving patients, Mr. Easterwood is boxing at the gym, teaching Bible studies, serving older adults through the Senior Resources Roundtable, or planning his next adventure with his three children and wife of 37 years, Arlette. Mr. Easterwood is thankful the military “took a chance on a country boy fromMississippi” and salutes veterans: “I feel like I’m standing on their shoulders. They paved the way and created wonderful conditions. Compared to [those who have gone before me], I feel very humbled.” And the Department is thankful for his service to our country and continued contributions as a health care professional in Florida – thank you, Mr. Easterwood!
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