Nancy and TJ Thedinga are on a mission to bring better hearing to Pahrump—one patient, one conversation, and one smile at a time. As the owners of Hear Now, a full-service hearing aid clinic located at 41 N Hwy 160, Suite 11, they have created a welcoming, community-focused space that is as much about compassion as it is about technology.
The couple took over the practice in May of this year, rebranding and restructuring it under a new name and independent ownership. The clinic itself has been in town for about five years, but until recently, it operated on a limited schedule with a provider only available on Thursdays. Now, with Nancy and TJ at the helm, Hear Now is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., providing consistent access to hearing care for local residents.
From the moment a patient walks in the door, they can expect a comprehensive, step-by-step experience designed to assess and address their hearing needs. The visit begins with simple paperwork before moving on to a full diagnostic evaluation, which includes a visual inspection of the ears to ensure everything looks healthy, followed by testing in a sound booth. Once the results are ready, TJ reviews them in detail, explaining the findings in plain language. If hearing aids are recommended, they tailor their suggestions to each individual’s needs, lifestyle, and budget.
Cost is often a major concern for those considering hearing aids, and the Thedingas are upfront about how insurance factors into the process. Medicare does not cover hearing aids, though some Medicare supplements offer partial assistance. Standard health insurance plans vary widely, with some—particularly those tied to trade unions—offering benefits due to the higher risk of hearing loss in certain professions.
Even when coverage is available, it rarely covers the entire cost. Nancy and TJ work hard to help patients explore their options, including financing through Care Credit for those who qualify. They pride themselves on offering fair pricing and making hearing care accessible, even for those without insurance.
One of Hear Now’s most notable offerings is its complimentary hearing evaluations. There is no cost for an initial exam, giving community members a risk-free opportunity to check their hearing. “A lot of people come in because their spouse made them,” Nancy laughs, “and they walk out smiling because they realize they don’t have hearing loss—they just don’t listen.” Whether the result is good news or a call to action, the free testing helps people get the answers they need without financial hesitation.
Nancy’s path to the hearing care field began 15 years ago in a privately owned practice. Over time, she saw firsthand the difference between independent clinics and corporate-run facilities, particularly in their flexibility with insurance and discount programs. Her passion for helping people rediscover the sounds of life—whether birdsong, laughter, or even everyday street noise—kept her committed to the field. When the opportunity arose to purchase the Pahrump location from its previous owner, she and TJ jumped at the chance.
For TJ, the hearing care industry was an unexpected but welcome career change. He came from a sales background and entered the field during the COVID-19 pandemic after losing his job. What began as a new professional opportunity quickly became a deeply rewarding role. “Sure, there’s a sales element,” TJ says, “but the real reward is seeing someone’s face light up when they realize what they’ve been missing.”
TJ is a board-certified Hearing Instrument Specialist (NBC-HIS), qualified to work with patients 18 and older. While he cannot see minors, he maintains strong professional relationships with audiologists and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors, ensuring that children and others who need specialized care receive the right referrals. Though there are currently no audiologists based in Pahrump, Nancy and TJ’s network in Las Vegas and beyond helps bridge the gap. They believe in partnerships, not competition, and emphasizes that their ultimate goal is to ensure patients get the best care possible—even if that means sending them elsewhere.
The Thedingas take a personalized approach to hearing aid recommendations, focusing on matching technology to lifestyle. For those who are socially active, frequently in group settings, or working in environments with complex soundscapes, more advanced hearing aids with additional channels and sophisticated sound processing may be the best fit. For retirees or those with quieter routines, basic models may meet their needs just as well. Prices typically range from about $2,000 for quality entry-level devices to around $6,000 for top-tier technology.
Today’s hearing aids also come in a variety of styles, from discreet in-the-ear models to behind-the-ear designs that are often barely visible. Most are rechargeable, worn during the day, and placed on a charger at night. The choice between styles depends on factors like comfort, appearance, and whether a patient wears glasses or uses oxygen tubing—considerations Nancy and TJ address with custom solutions when needed.
Addressing hearing loss early is critical. Because the decline is often gradual, many people adapt to it without realizing the extent of the problem. Common early warning signs include turning the television volume up higher than others prefer or frequently asking people to repeat themselves. If left untreated for too long, hearing aids may still amplify sound, but the brain can lose the ability to process speech clearly, leading to lasting comprehension difficulties. Nancy and TJ stress that hearing aids do not weaken hearing as some fear—in fact, wearing them can slow the progression of hearing loss.
Hear Now also emphasizes hearing protection and education, especially for younger adults and those exposed to loud environments through work or hobbies. They provide guidance on protective devices to help prevent hearing loss before it starts. For Nancy and TJ, these conversations are just as important as fitting someone with a device.
Scheduling a free hearing evaluation is as simple as calling 775-253-8020. Hear Now also connects with the community through its Facebook and Instagram pages and offers resources through its website. Whether someone is experiencing noticeable hearing loss, curious about preventative care, or just wants peace of mind, Nancy and TJ welcome them to stop by, get checked, and explore their options. As Nancy puts it, “Hearing loss doesn’t discriminate by age, and neither do we. Our goal is to help as many people as possible keep hearing the world around them—because those sounds are worth holding on to.”
