**Amplifon/Miracle-Ear** [http://careers-miracleear.icims.com/jobs/intro](http://careers-miracleear.icims.com/jobs/intro) Miracle-Ear is the name Americans have trusted for hearing aids since 1948. For over 65 years, Miracle-Ear has offered the latest technologies in hearing aids with the goal of helping people enjoy fuller lives, with “The Gift of Sound.” Miracle-Ear has over 1,455 locations throughout the United States and has its Corporate Headquarters in Plymouth, Minnesota. Now is really a great time to consider Miracle-Ear. Today an estimated 36 million Americans, young and old, are hearing-impaired. We are constantly looking for people who can help service this aging population. With Miracle-Ear you’ll experience the entrepreneurial spirit and camaraderie of small business, with the extensive support and prestige of a major corporation. [What are the main opportunities at your organization? We have a wide variety of positions available from entry level to professional leadership opportunities. What are your organization’s biggest HR needs?] Our biggest HR needs would be finding Hearing Instrument Specialists for our growing Miracle-Ear Franchise network. We have multiple openings throughout the United States. We will train the right person! Become a member of the Miracle-Ear team, the most recognized name in the hearing health care field! Miracle-Ear is looking for individuals who share our core values. We value flexibility, entrepreneurship, and accountability skills. Time, and time again veterans have proven they demonstrate these same core values, and that is why at Miracle-Ear we support hiring a vet. We have partnered with RecruitMilitary to help us with those efforts! [In what ways is your organization a good fit for veterans?] Our organization is a good fit for veterans because our primary customer base is the elderly and many of these clients are veterans themselves. ********************************************************************** ###A Veteran Success: BOB BABER As we honor our veterans, who continue to serve or have served our country it is also important to recognize the work they are now doing each day. Today we highlight and solute Mr. Bob Baber. Bob joined the Army in 1971 and served four years in the Army, 529th MP Company. He was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany which was the headquarters for the US Army in Europe at the time. He was responsible for issuing vehicle installation passes to ensure unauthorized vehicles did not enter the bases in the Heidelberg military zone. Machines hummed and beeped as soldiers of all kinds circulated throughout this area. At the end of the day the 529th MPs were really the heart of the base ensuring safety, and making sure standards and guidelines were always being met. Bob is using his military experience and demonstrating these strong practices even today. Now, Bob Baber is an Owner for Miracle-Ear with a mission to give people back the “Gift of Sound.” He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the business from marketing, hiring, training, and motivating his staff. Most importantly, he works with all types of people who are challenged with hearing loss. Bob Baber joined Miracle-Ear in 1984. His first milestone in 1984 was passing the state license examination and becoming a certified Hearing Instrument Specialist. The next milestone was in 1992. He grew his business and talents and became a Franchise Owner of his own location in Arizona. In 2010 Bob and his Franchise earned the highest recognition you can achieve within Miracle-Ear winning the Kenneth H. Dahlberg Award. With the success of his business and his employees he has been able grow his Franchise. He now has 16 locations in Arizona with a staff of 45 full time employees and growing. Bob actively hires veterans for his locations, and believes their time in the Service teaches them teamwork, confidence, and most importantly people skills. “We have many clients that are also veterans that they can relate to” he said. Bob recognizes the military for giving him many positive skills to which he has used in his professional career. “I believe I learned a lot about responsibility; doing what needs to be done whether you like it or not; and learning the ability to work with other people under all kinds of situations” he said. When asked what advice do you have for men and women who are leaving the military and looking for civilian opportunities Bob replied, “You need to stay positive to grow and achieve. You need to be persistent, and do not give up on job or objective. “It is perhaps his selfless acts, and his commitment to helping others that make Bob most enduring. Alissa Parady the Director of Government Affairs in the International Hearing Society has known Bob for some time now. Alissa comments, “Bob is so selfless in giving his time and expertise to maintain professional standards and ensures consumers come first in the provision of hearing health care. He volunteers at every level, including as a state chapter leader and licensing board member. He stays connected with his national organization. As a testament to his work, Bob received the James P. Lovell Advocacy Award in 2011, which is presented annually by IHS in recognition of extraordinary achievements in advocating for the hearing impaired.” Along with Bob Baber’s’ strong support for veterans, Miracle-Ear’s President/CEO/Executive Vice President Americas, Heinz Ruch and Senior Vice President of Miracle-Ear, Vera Peterson also have expressed support for national apprenticeship guidelines through the Department of Labor that will enable veterans to use their GI Bill benefits to become Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialists.