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Introducing Filter Labs: Custom Hearing Protection, Made Right Here in Strongsville

We're excited to share some big news with our Brookway Hearing family: we've launched Filter Labs, a new custom hearing protection brand built right alongside our practice in Strongsville. If you've ever shoved a foam earplug in before a concert, a shift on the range, or a long flight and thought, "there has to be a better way," this is it.

We know that "hearing protection" isn't usually the most exciting topic, but it's one we care about deeply, and it directly connects to everything else we do as a practice. So we wanted to take a moment to explain what Filter Labs is, why we built it, and how it can fit into your life, whether you're a patient we already know well or someone just discovering us for the first time.

Why We Built Filter Labs

Over the years, we've fitted thousands of patients for hearing aids, and one thing became clear: protecting the hearing you have is just as important as treating the hearing you've already lost. We see it constantly in our practice, people who spent years around loud machinery, live music, power tools, or gunfire without ever giving their ears a second thought, and who are now living with permanent hearing loss that could have been prevented.

Disposable foam plugs are better than nothing, but they come with real drawbacks. They muffle everything indiscriminately, so you lose the very sounds you want to hear, like music, conversation, or a coach's instructions, right along with the noise you're trying to block. They don't fit two ears the same way, since every ear canal is a slightly different size and shape. And most people end up tossing them aside within a few uses because they're uncomfortable, they fall out, or they just don't seal properly.

We wanted to offer something better for our patients and our community: hearing protection that's molded to your exact ear, built with the same precision we bring to hearing aid fittings every day, and designed for the way people actually live their lives, not a generic, one-size-fits-all approach. That's how Filter Labs was born, as a natural next step for a practice that's already spent years perfecting the art and science of a great ear fit.

What Makes Filter Labs Different

Unlike one-size-fits-most foam, every custom Filter Labs earpiece starts with a precise impression of your ear canal, cast to match its exact shape, so the seal fits securely without shifting, loosening, or leaking, even after hours of wear. That precision is really the whole philosophy behind the brand: your ears are unique, so your hearing protection should be too. From there, you can choose from several features that make Filter Labs stand apart from anything you'd find at a drugstore or sporting goods store:
  • Flat-response filters that reduce harmful noise evenly across frequencies, so you're protected without losing the clarity of music, conversation, or your surroundings. This is a big difference from foam, which tends to muffle high frequencies more than low ones, making sound feel flat and distant.
  • Multiple attenuation levels (-15 dB, -20 dB, or -25 dB), with interchangeable filters so the same earpiece adapts to different environments. One shell, several levels of protection, depending on what your day looks like.
  • Any color, any style, from discreet skin tone to bold custom colors like galaxy blue or glitter red, or a clear acrylic option if you'd rather they barely be noticed at all.
  • Medically certified materials, including medical-grade silicone and hypoallergenic acrylic, tested for long-term skin contact, so they're comfortable and safe even for sensitive ears.
  • A lifetime remake guarantee — if your fit ever changes over time, or something's not quite right, we'll remake your earpieces. That's our commitment to actually getting it right, not just selling you a product and moving on.
For people who want something ready to wear without an appointment, we also offer the Skinny Mini, an instant-fit option with interchangeable filters that's great for everyday, on-the-go protection when a full custom mold isn't necessary.

Built for Real Life

Whether you're a musician trying to protect your hearing without losing the mix, a motorsports fan dealing with engine roar, a shift worker on the range, a frequent flyer tired of cabin noise, or someone who just wants a better night's sleep, Filter Labs has a solution designed for that specific environment. We built this brand around the idea that hearing protection shouldn't be an afterthought or a compromise, it should fit seamlessly into whatever you already love doing. A few of the situations our earpieces are built for:
  • Concerts and festivals, where musicians and fans alike need to protect their hearing without losing the fidelity of the performance
  • Motorsports and racing, shielding your ears from high-decibel wind and engine noise while keeping the situational awareness you need on the track
  • Shooting and the range, offering high-performance protection against sudden, high-impulse noise while keeping you alert to what's around you
  • Travel by plane, train, or car, blocking engine and cabin noise for long stretches of wear
  • Sleep, with a secure, comfortable seal that stays put through the night, unlike standard foam that tends to work its way out
  • Water sports and swimming, with a watertight seal custom-made from a digital scan of your ear for a far more consistent fit than any one-size-fits-most plug

How It Works

Getting fitted is simple. You can order an impression kit and take your own impressions at home with step-by-step instructions, or stop by our office and let our team do it for you, the same team that's been precisely fitting hearing devices in Strongsville for years. From there, your earpieces are custom-built and typically delivered within 10 to 14 business days. If anything needs adjusting once they arrive, we'll remake them at no charge.

A Natural Fit for What We Already Do

Filter Labs isn't a departure from what we do at Brookway Hearing, it's an extension of it. We've always believed that hearing health is about more than treating loss after it happens; it's about protecting what you have for as long as possible. Now we're able to offer that protection with the same level of custom craftsmanship our patients already trust us for.

Curious whether custom hearing protection is right for you? Stop by Brookway Hearing at 11180 Pearl Road in Strongsville, call us at (440) 553-7722, or visit Filter Labs directly at thefilterlabs.com to explore products and get started.
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11180 Pearl Road,
Strongsville, OH 44136
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Ross Pavlik, Hearing Aid Specialist at Brookway Hearing Center in Strongsville, OH

Ross Pavlik

Hearing Aid Specialist

Ross's academic journey began with an Associate of Science degree, providing him with a robust foundation in scientific principles. His professional path has been shaped by his family's influence, as he's been immersed in the hearing device industry since childhood. Today, Ross stands as a licensed Hearing Aid Specialist in Ohio, a title he's held for nearly three years. He's committed to continuous learning, currently pursuing National Board Certification to further enhance his expertise.

Ross's role as a hearing instrument fitter is not just a job, but a mission. He works tirelessly to improve the lives of his patients by helping them manage their hearing loss effectively. With each fitting, he aims to bridge the communication gap that hearing loss can create, fostering stronger relationships and enhancing overall quality of life.

Outside of being a dispenser for Brookway Hearing, Ross is currently serving as the President of Strongsville Toastmasters, an international organization dedicated to helping members improve their public speaking and leadership skills. Concurrently, he's actively engaged in the Strongsville Men's Hockey League, showcasing his dedication and passion for sports.

P.S. Ross is also a member of the International Hearing Society, an organization that supports hearing healthcare professionals worldwide. This affiliation reflects his commitment to staying updated with the latest industry trends and best practices.

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Robert Pavlik, BC-HIS, founder of Brookway Hearing Center in Strongsville, OH

Robert Pavlik

BC-HIS, ACA, HAS

Meet Robert, the founder of Brookway Hearing Center, is dedicated to enhancing patients' auditory experiences. After honorably serving in the U.S. Air Force, Robert pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from the University of Akron's College of Health Professions. His comprehensive education equipped him with a deep understanding of the science behind hearing and the art of communication. His studies explored the mechanics of the outer, middle, and inner ear, as well as the complex processes of sound perception and interpretation by the brain.

Robert is Nationally Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Sciences and has earned the Audioprothologist designation from the International Hearing Society. With over 24 years of experience, Robert has been testing, fitting, and dispensing a wide range of hearing devices.

Brookway Hearing Center was established with the strong support of Robert's wife and co-owner, Michelle Pavlik, who played a pivotal role in the office's success.