Hearing Healthcare of Virginia

Our Hearing Instrument Specialists

 

Christian Pogreba
Hearing Instrument Specialist, President

Christian was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but has lived in Virginia for over a decade. He met his wife, Vanessa, while she was in college and they married upon her graduation. They lived in Colorado for 3 years and moved to Virginia to establish a home and start a family in 1999. He and Vanessa have four wonderful boys, Tristan, Jabin, Kieran, and Graesen. They are very active members of the community.

Christian began his career in the Hearing Industry in early 2000 as a Regional Manager for American Hearing Aid Associates (AHAA). He worked mainly with the development of hearing practices. He realized the impact that helping an individual to hear once again can have. He knew he wanted to have a more active role in helping people. After 3 years of traveling with AHAA he knew it was the time to make a change, not only for himself but also for his young children. In 2003 Christian began the education necessary to become a Hearing Instrument Specialist.

In 2004 Christian opened the doors on the first practice in Waynesboro. Charlottesville closely followed and opened in 2005. In 2007 he had the opportunity to purchase his own business space in Fishersville and in September of 2007 the Waynesboro office location was moved to 1534 Jefferson Hwy. in Fishersville. A third location in Lexington opened in January of 2008. In 2009 three more locations opened in Harrisonburg, Culpeper, and Covington.

Christian loves working with people and helping them regain the conversational ability they have lost. He realizes that as we age we have a lot to share and if we are hearing impaired, that limits our ability to have truly meaningful conversations. Christian’s easy going approach, patience, care and listening ability has been able to help several thousand people regain a hearing lifestyle. He is thrilled to help so many who have thought they would never be able to successfully wear a hearing instrument. He looks forward to meeting you and helping you hear what you may be missing.

Email Christian Pogreba
540-290-2410, 540-943-0007

Robert Hayward
Hearing Instrument Specialist

Robert “Bob” Hayward joined the team of Hearing Healthcare of Virginia in October of 2009. He is the Hearing Specialist in the Covington, Virginia office. Bob was born and raised in White Plains, New York. He has lived and worked in Covington for 24 years. Bob is married to his wife Angela for over 23 years and happily share their home with their dog Tobie and cat Sneakie. For over 20 years he has been involved in customer service and sales. Bob notes, “It is thrilling to watch the faces of my clients when they can hear things they haven’t been able to hear; sometimes for years! That in itself makes being a hearing instrument specialist a wonderful career. I enjoy not only what I can do for others, but what I can also learn from each client that comes into my office.” Bob’s sincere approach and easy disposition creates a great atmosphere for clients to work towards better hearing. We are confident you will sense his genuine interest in people when you meet him at the Covington office location.

Email Robert Hayward
540-968-2852

Daniel Clark
Hearing Instrument Specialist

Dan joined the staff of Hearing Healthcare of Virginia in April of 2009. Dan was born in Pontiac, Michigan and was raised on a small country farm with 7 brothers and sisters. His parents taught him to work hard, be honest, and give whatever you are doing 100%. Dan has carried this training through his life and instilled these ideals into his own 5 children. He met his wife in Alaska and has enjoyed over 24 years of marriage. He enjoys working with his hands, outdoor recreation, and volunteering his time to help others. Dan comes to us as a successful entrepreneur. He truly wanted to expand into a field that allowed him to continue his entrepreneurial spirit, yet give him an opportunity to help others. Dan spent time in Alaska in the hearing field. He recalls of his work there, “it often meant flying into villages and small towns to fit clients with hearing devices. It was not uncommon to see them coming in on snow machines.” He has enjoyed renewing his career in the hearing health care field. In Dan’s own words, he is “determined to listen intently to each person in order to provide the best hearing experience possible.” We are confident that each patient will feel that sentiment from Dan when they meet him.

Email Daniel Clark
540-836-8772

Bruce Powell
Hearing Instrument Specialist

Bruce joined the team of Hearing Healthcare of Virginia in February of 2009. He was born in Chicago, Illinois and moved to Harrisonburg during his High School years. He currently resides in Harrisonburg with his beloved wife of over 15 years, Nicole, and their 2 beautiful boys, Jabari and Nicholas. Bruce was a successful entrepreneur in his own business while at the same time dedicating over 16 years to a local printing business. Bruce’s love for people and desire to positively impact as many lives as possible drove him to pursue a career in the health care field. Bruce says, “I have a strong desire to make a difference in someone’s life by helping them to again hear the familiar voice of a loved one.” You will no doubt sense Bruce’s strong resolve to help you hear your loved one more clearly when you meet him at the Harrisonburg office.

Email Bruce Powell
540-560-2276

Roger Merchant
Hearing Instrument Specialist

Roger Merchant joined the office of Hearing Healthcare of Virginia in May of 2005. Roger is the Hearing Instrument Specialist in the Fishersville office. Roger was born and raised in Augusta County, the sixth of seven children. He has been married for over 14 years to his wife Beverly. They are the proud parents of 3 wonderful children, Evan, Alex, and Avery. His parents instilled a strong work ethic in him which became well honed as a successful business owner for several years. His keen desire to interact more directly with people and to significantly make a difference in their lives motivated him to become a licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist. Roger says, “I can’t even call this a job because I enjoy helping people to hear again so much! Another thing I love is the enjoyment of working with a group of caring and dedicated co-workers.” We are privileged to have Roger join our team. He brings a joyful spirit and a deep concern for others. We are confident that you will feel the same sentiment when you meet him in the Fishersville location.

Email Roger Merchant
540-447-0850

Michael J Combs
Hearing Instrument Specialist

My name is Michael J Combs. I was born in Santa Clara California. At the age of 10, my parents moved us to the “deep” south of Georgia and later South Carolina. It was here in these two places where treating people with respect and dignity were deeply ingrained into me. Growing up in these two states where so much history took place helped pattern my life toward helping people have a better life. At the age of 22, I packed my bags and found a new home here in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. It is here where I found Angela, the love of my life whom I am happily married too. Along with our two daughters, Jessica and Courtney, we have placed our roots deep within the hearts of our friends and family here in Rockingham County. Upon arriving here in Harrisonburg, I quickly found employment that quenched my thirst for technology, working 16 years as a computer technician for a local company. Yearning to do something more fulfilling, I searched for a career that would not only compliment my desire in working with advancing technology but at the same time, helping people who are in need. I am glad to say I have found my career! Working at Hearing Healthcare of Virginia brings a sense of fulfillment that no other career has brought me. To see peoples face light up when they are brought back to the world of sounds brings me great joy. To give hearing back to people so they can hear their spouse, children, grandchildren, to hear the birds again, the roar of the river, and a leaf fall to the ground is now my mission in which I will not fail! I look forward to assisting people with their hearing needs here in the Harrisonburg location.

Email Michael J Combs
540-421-7736