For thirty years, Nola Aronson has helped residents of the Santa Clarita Valley and neighboring communities hear better, while also offering strong support to community organizations.
Thursday, it was their turn to thank her.
At a 30th anniversary celebration at Bonefish Grill, more than 300 friends, current and former patients, vendors, and local leaders gathered to recognize Aronson for her many contributions to the community.
“What stood out for me was the love and support of my patients and the community,” Aronson said. “I wasn’t aware I had that level of support.”
“It’s hard to believe how time flies,” Aronson said. “I love Santa Clarita so much. It’s been a pleasure to serve the people of this valley by helping people hear better.”
Aronson gave her first hearing exam in 1987. Her practice has had three business incarnations, with Advanced Audiology opening its doors in 2010. Earlier this year, the firm grew with the acquisition of Audiology Services of Newhall and Audiology Partners of Mission Hills.
She said that even with 220,000 people, Santa Clarita resembles a small community “because everybody who’s anybody knows each other.” She tells patients that when they buy a hearing aid from her, they’re giving back to the community.
She thanked her husband and “partner in crime,” Steven Lettau, who works as a marketing and patient care specialist at Advanced Audiology.
“When we met, she asked me if I knew what an audiology does,” Lettau said. “I told her I’ve been wearing hearing aids for 40 year, so I’d better know.” Aronson thanked Lettau for his “love and total support,” and willingness to do anything asked of him to help her in her work.
Representatives of local non-profit organizations that Aronson and Advanced Audiology have supported spoke of their gratitude for her contributions. These included the Valley Industrial Association, Circle of Hope, American Diabetes Association, the SCV Chamber of Commerce, the Boys and Girls Club, and the SCV Senior Center.
“Nola has been a huge supporter of the Boys and Girls Club here in Santa Clarita, and we’re enormously grateful for her contributions,” said Matt Nelson, the club’s CEO. “She has a huge heart and is an important part of our community.
Earlier this year Aronson, a former special education teacher, donated $2,500 and 250 books to the club.
Aronson made a donation to the new home of the SCV Senior Center and will have a room in the new building named in her honor. She donates time to the senior center and assisted living centers, to provide free hearing screenings, lectures, education and information about healthy hearing treatment options.
Aronson donates 10 percent of proceeds from the sale of hearing aids to a different local non-profit organization each month, including Circle of Hope, which provides financial, emotional and educational assistance to uninsured and underinsured cancer patients. The organization and the Michael Hoefflin Foundation, which focuses on the needs of pediatric cancer patients, hold special meaning for Aronson, a breast cancer survivor.
She is a member of the SCV Soroptimists and is an SCV Chamber of Commerce ambassador.
“To be successful in life and in business, you must have a wonderful team, and I have that at Advanced Audiology,” Aronson said at the event. She thanked her associate and fellow audiologist Ginny Veloz, with whom she has worked for thirteen years.
Aronson received a master’s degree in audiology from California State University, Long Beach in 1982 with an undergraduate degree in special education. For several years, she served as Director of Audiology at Valley Hospital Medical Center in Van Nuys.
“I like to give and I like to help all kinds of people,” Aronson said. “It’s not just about hearing. It just makes me feel good when I help.”
