Like many men in my age group (mature to senile) I have experienced reduced hearing due to people mumbling, televisions being set at too low a volume and deterioration in people’s enunciation. Always resisting the obvious that it was my hearing that was was failing. I was worried about the alternative. Friends of my age who have hearing aids either don’t wear them permanently or put them on during a conversation or before a meeting or show. The excuse is generally that they can’t get on with them. Bearing this in mind , and not wishing to buy expensive equipment that I might regret, I was persuaded to see an private audiologist in Stamford.
With a great deal of understandable expertize and tests I was shown both how my hearing has deteriorated graphically and what it should be. The use of tunable temporary ear inserts was amazing and the fact that they were almost invisible plus a guarantee that if I couldn’t get on with them my money would be refunded, sold them to me. They were not cheap but whether I could heve got as good a service with the National Health, I don’t know.
There was a comprehensive after service available for retuning the aids up to my normal hearing levels which I have used once to great effect.
The finshed aids came after a week , they are Phonak Audeo S Smart 1′s using 312 batteries.The soft tip domes which protect the hollow tip are very comfortable to wear and are hardly noticable. I have found no need to take them out during the day, there is no background noise and noisy crowds do not affect the efficiency. I was given a comprehensive servicing kit and a night stand for the aids with batteries switched off. I sing with a large choir and there are some differences which you have to get used to. As well as hearing your own head noises I hear the choir breathing around me . Using an electric razor is very noisy. Other sounds taken for granted like cutlery rattling now are very loud. I have actually asked people not to shout. Need I say more!?
Delboy DSJ
