Treating me differently is no laughing matter

For our Now Hear This series, we feature another of our patients who has kindly agreed to talk about how people treated him differently initially when he had hearing concerns. 

Michael from Stutton, Suffolk

Why did you decide to have your hearing checked by The Hearing Care Centre?

Busy supermarkets with all the background noise can be tough

I’ve been with The Hearing Care Centre since October 2012. Previously to that I had National Health hearing aids for five years which to be honest weren’t really adequate. The hospital told me there was nothing more they could do for me so that’s when I turned to Karen and The Hearing Care Centre. She explained that my prescribed NHS aids were very basic and there was so much more choice to consider. We chose mid range aids to improve the quality of sound which are fully automatic so they greatly increase not only the volume but the quality of that sound coming into your ears. They are also extremely comfortable to wear compared to what I had before. I was becoming tired of the way people treat you when you have a hearing problem. I remember being at a supermarket checkout and having to say pardon to the cashier and she replied with ‘Are you thick or something?’ Even friends who mean well think its ok to poke fun at me because of my lack of hearing; its ok perhaps the first couple of times but NOT when they continually refer to it. When you think that the everyday things you take for granted are the things I struggle with, for example using a phone without my hearing aid would be impossible.

What would you say to others who are unsure about having their hearing checked? 

Once you reach say 55 I believe you need to regularly have your hearing checked, I mean you do for your eyes and think nothing of it. I got my father-in-law who couldn’t hear at all on the phone to go and see Karen and he’s very happy with his new hearing aids from The Hearing Care Centre. People say to me, yes but if I go privately I’ll have to pay -  trust me it’s worth it! If you go along when they are doing a free hearing test you have nothing to lose and they even let you try them out before you make a final decision.  You will be amazed at what you can hear again. I can now hear my grandchildren and walk safely with a pet or a child again as I can hear the traffic coming behind me. The biggest difference probably for my wife, is that the TV is now back to a normal and comfortable level for us both, although occasionally I have to tell her to turn it down!!

If any of Michael's or our other patients stories on this blog have struck a chord with you, we are here to help. Having a hearing test doesn't necessarily mean you'll need our help but at least you will know either way. 

May I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.

Until my next blog in 2014, regards Karen. 

Feeling isolated in a room full of people?

Here’s another story from one of our kind patients in our Now Hear This series, taking about why she chose The Hearing Care Centre.

Jill from Hadleigh, Suffolk

Why did you decide to have your hearing checked by The Hearing Care Centre?

It was about 13 years ago now, I had two small children at the time and I realised they would be chatting away to me on the way to school and I couldn’t hear them properly. What was much more worrying was that I couldn’t hear the oncoming traffic as we stood waiting to cross the road. I was also a teacher at the time and teaching those with high pitched voices in a group, well to be honest it was becoming a nightmare. Saying that I did manage and the children didn’t seem to notice but I would be so tired by the end of each day from the sheer concentration needed. When I went to Karen she suggested also learning to lip read, I would never have given that a thought had it not been for her. The trouble is with hearing loss, people forget that you have a problem as it’s not obvious so they mumble or turn their heads away or worse – put their hands in front of their mouths when speaking! There are times therefore when you can feel very isolated in a room full of people; even just driving in the car, with friends all chatting away.

Hearing loss can make you feel isolated in a car full of people

I literally can’t hear - it’s just a noise which you can’t decipher. Oddly though it’s your own family who forget the most, they will ask me a question or continue a conversation whilst they have their head in the fridge or when the kettle is boiling!

What would you say to others who are unsure about having their hearing checked? 

Go! I initially went to my GP as I knew I was struggling, he suggested I go to see The Hearing Care Centre for a test and to be honest I just sat on his advice for a whole year before I did anything. It was a massive shock when I finally did have it checked but Karen helped me to get over it. The NHS analogue hearing aids are completely useless for me as my low frequencies which they pick up are actually quite good it’s my high frequencies I can’t catch and they don’t help.  I’m very lucky in that my husband has also been very supportive and is a good communicator. Sadly most people are not and you find you are constantly asking them to slow down. I’m lucky in that my hearing loss is moderate and I have a job, it does worry me though that if that job were to end I would struggle in a normal interview situation, especially if they wanted me to answer the phone for them as I need a specially adapted one. Its situations like these people don’t think about when their hearing starts to deteriorate.That’s why it’s so important to get someone like The Hearing Care Centre to look after it. If everyone did as much as Karen and The Hearing Care Centre team do to help with peoples hearing loss, the world would be a much better place.

A hearing test at our offices around Suffolk is simple and comfortable, don't be left in the dark the sooner you come and see us the more we can help.

Until next time

Regards

Karen