December 2018
When the native Dutch business woman Ilse Kolenbrander moved to New York in 2013, she made herself a promise. She wanted to continue her dedication in helping and connecting people to build a community of understanding listeners. Walking around in her new hometown, exploring the hearing care, her determination grew to provide American consumers with easy access to hearing solutions. She can now proudly and gratefully announce that in 2019, with the opening of two locations, her dream of ‘improving connections through better hearing’ in the US will come true.
The Ecoutez difference!
Ilse built her family business, Ecoutez, with her sister Lisette up from scratch. They are now a recognized brand and one of the top ranked businesses in hearing solutions in The Netherlands. They did it by moving away from a very clinical approach, inefficient care system and long waiting times while at the same time, providing nothing else than the best solution. In Ilse’s vision, you shouldn’t be distracted by endless paperwork or discouraged by a process that makes you feel like a patient, but rather listened to and understood in a comforting surrounding. So over the years, Ilse created an easy and open environment where you don’t have to wait weeks for a doctor’s appointment and then again weeks before you have your hearing aid. Ecoutez is a place where you can come in, feel at home, have your hearing tested and in no-time walk-out with the best hearing solution. She wants you to be understood as she lets you bring your relatives and have them experience what it is to have a hearing loss!
The Adventure
The original plan of 3 years in the US turned quickly in an indefinite plan. Ilse embarked a thrilling adventure to build Ecoutez USA. She laid the foundation by talking to potential customers, people from industry, doctors and audiologists, focusing on understanding of, the needs and improvements for the hearing care in the US. What followed was a rollercoaster ride of scouting locations, sleepless nights, countless discussions and negotiations while always believing that she can make a difference for people in need for the right hearing care. Her dream and determination brings you now Ecoutez USA.
Ecoutez USA
Ecoutez USA presents you a high-end boutique experience, a one-stop-shop, where you can walk in without appointment, where you can have your hearing tested on the spot, get personalized advice and most importantly, an empowering hearing solution in no-time. A new community where you can feel at home and experience first class treatment and leaving better connected to the world. Her audiologists and employees are available to hear your story, no matter what that story is and happy to share the latest developments and technology. The door is always wide open and the coffee is freshly made. You will leave re-energized, part of our Ecoutez family community of listeners.
New Locations
Ilse’s fierce focus led to Ecoutez New York, NY, and soon Ecoutez Dallas, TX. Why there? New York is simply an incredible city, the place where she was welcomed in a new world, the place where Ecoutez USA was born. During her journey, Ilse also discovered the entrepreneurial friendliness of Dallas, where she was warmly welcomed by new friends which embodies her American dream.
