In our Now Hear This series, we feature
another of our patients who has kindly agreed to talk about how much her life has been turned around by visiting the Hearing Care Centre.
Jenny from Ipswich, Suffolk
Why did you decide to have your hearing checked by The
Hearing Care Centre?
 |
| A whole new lease of life |
I was 58 years old and I was working in a bank and from
behind the glass I realised I was only seeing the customer’s mouths moving, so
I knew they were talking but I didn’t know what they were saying. I found I was
leaning in and talking through the slot in the glass but it didn’t help. Initially I went to my doctors for some help
but the length of the waiting list for the NHS was just ridiculous, so I went
privately to see an ENT surgeon and they found I had a perforated ear drum.
After four unsuccessful operations to repair it I was pretty down about the
whole thing and then my manager at work suggested getting me some help from The
Hearing Care Centre. The difference was noticeable straight away; Karen
immediately fitted me with a different kind of hearing aid system that works
automatically through multi frequency channels wirelessly transmitting to a tiny
cros unit on the other side. The words just came flying at me it was wonderful,
I no-longer had to bend right near to the person to hear what they were saying.
Before I got some help I tried not to let my hearing loss
get me down but I know it was hard on my husband as we couldn’t go on holiday
or to a restaurant in case I had to sit on a table with other people, I just
couldn’t hear them. Even in the supermarket doing the weekly shop I literally
couldn’t hear anyone. I remember being at the till and the woman actually being
quite sharp with me and speaking to me as if I wasn’t quite all there if you
know what I mean – it was so humiliating, people just don’t understand. The other thing I found is how listening so
intently all day just wears you out; by the end of the day I was exhausted.
Simple things you take for granted every day become impossible, listening out
for the doorbell or just watching the TV.
What would you say to others who are unsure about having
their hearing checked?
Don’t delay; the earlier you go there, the more you can save
your hearing. Now I am so thankful for being able to hear even the smallest
sounds like a bird singing it’s only now I can hear that sound again that I had
forgotten how wonderful it is. I remember the first time I heard a bird I
thought it must be someone’s mobile ringing! The most delightful sound though
is my grandchildren voices, because their voices are high pitched it was
impossible to hear them and join in their conversations. Thanks to Karen and
her team she’s brought my whole world to life again.
