Southwestern Hearing Centers was honored with a 2016 Top Workplace distinction by The Post-Dispatch on Sunday.

The award was given following an employee feedback survey by WorkplaceDynamics, which measured various factors that make up workplace culture, including benefits, connection, leadership, values and ethics.

WorkplaceDynamics CEO Doug Claffey says the award is about more than popularity and fancy perks. “To be a Top Workplace, organizations must meet our strict standards for organizational health.” Claffey adds, “Time and time again, our research has proven that what’s most important to employees is a strong belief in where the organization is headed, how it’s going to get there, and the feeling that everyone is in it together.”

Ranking 9th out of the 45 small businesses included in the list, Southwestern also scored the highest in the category of “Encourages New Ideas.” Southwestern Hearing is very proud to be recognized as a Top Workplace, competing with thousands of other wonderful St. Louis organizations for the distinction.

“For many years after my dad started this business it was just our family that took care of everything, but as we grew and added employees it was always a top priority that they felt like they were part of this family too,” Owner Mike Marino said. “After all, that’s what’s important about our business, we’re just a big family helping other families communicate and enjoy life.”

It’s not just Southwestern Hearing employees who are happy, a recent survey of their patients found that 98% are happy with the service they received. In the survey, emailed to 850 patients in February of 2016, 98% said they would recommend Southwestern Hearing Centers to a friend.

These accolades are very important to Southwestern Hearing, but not the least bit surprising. After 69 years in business they’ve helped more than 250,000 people improve their lives with better hearing.

“You will not find a more passionate group of hearing care providers in this industry,” Brian Marino, Vice President and third generation hearing professional said. “We are the only Top Workplace from our industry in America, and these surveys are proof that the passion is shared by our employees, and in turn our patients really do feel that extra care.”