"I was straining to hear what had been said"
My situation was probably fairly classic. I am 63 and for the last three or four years I had noticed, or more honestly, had had pointed out to me, that I had the TV on too loud for the comfort of others – the family. I was also aware of the frustration of not hearing what people were saying when they spoke softly, or when in company, at meetings, in restaurants etc. Increasingly, I was asking people to repeat what they had just said – embarrassing, especially when others present had heard perfectly adequately. I also noticed, when in meetings, I was straining to hear what had been said.
Eventually, my son told me that he had heard that Leightons were offering a hearing aid service which might be of interest to me. I had heard of Leightons as opticians, having previously lived in the Putney area. I had not heard of their new hearing service. I was resistant to the whole idea, having a view of what hearing aids looked like on others. Vanity certainly played a part in this. However, eventually, I agreed to make an appointment to have a free hearing test and see what was on offer.
"Everyone’s problems are different and need a different solution"
One always thinks that it is unlikely that there could be a cure to your problems. In fact that is normally true. The expectation is greater than the reality. Everyone’s problems are different and need a different solution. Therefore, I was more than pleased to find that Catriona at Leightons was not only aware of this fact, but had the knowledge which, together with impressive technological support, gradually refined the options available to suit my specific needs. It had been suggested to me that I should take someone with me, whose voice was familiar to me, to assist in assessing the improvement that might be offered by the product. In fact, no one was available, but, as it turned out, it didn’t matter. The tests carried out were extremely thorough. There was both internal and external sound to enable comparisons. The options available were clearly explained to me and the opportunity to “dry run” these options came quite naturally and most helpfully. I took full advantage of the opportunity and it helped me to make an informed choice. I was never under pressure to buy the product, but the likely improvement to my hearing problems was not only clearly explained to me but was actually realised in practice.
"Friends and acquaintances were quite unaware that I was even wearing a hearing aid"
Obviously, I have been living in the “dark ages”. I remember from my youth my grandfather wearing an extremely cumbersome contraption – an obvious indication that the person wearing it was hard of hearing, if not quite deaf. The consequence was that people shouted at him in an effort to be heard. The advances in technology are quite astounding. As exemplified by the products on offer from Leightons this was a revelation to me. When trialling the aids which were decided to be suitable for my problem, friends and acquaintances were quite unaware that I was even wearing a hearing aid. Even when pointed out to them, they were astonished, as they had had no idea that I was wearing an aid. I was pleased and no one has shouted at me. In particular, the aids are discreet and comfortable.
"People rarely if ever, will know that I am wearing a hearing aid"
I have never had a hearing aid before. I came to Leightons through recommendation and because I wanted to have a free range of informed advice. The fact that Leightons offer after care advice and assistance was a considerable influence on my choice of going to the market as opposed to the State. My previous difficulties at meetings/theatre/restaurants/dinner parties etc have been considerably assisted. I can now hear what people are saying without asking them to repeat themselves. It is a considerable relief from stress. I am also most pleased – vanity/vanity, that people rarely if ever, will know that I am wearing a hearing aid.
Having trialled different models of the hearing aids available from Leightons, I was most impressed with the versatility of the product. The considerable assistance I have had from Leightons, and Catriona in particular for her expertise and efficiency, has enabled me to choose the model most suited to my particular needs. From the service I have received to date, I have every reason to believe that the after –care service will be of a similar standard, and that any adjustments/improvements which may be needed or may become available in the future will be provided. This is important to me as one’s hearing problems rarely remain static and it is likely that I will need further help in the future. My experience to date leads me to have no doubt that Leightons are sufficiently interested in their customers to provide the after-care service that I need. The fact that such care is free is an added bonus.
COLIN MANNING
25TH June 2009