"I was in my late 40’s early 50’s and not at an age that you associate with deafness!"

Looking back on my life I think I must have always suffered some kind of hearing loss since many things, especially song lyrics and people on the radio have become much clearer since I started wearing my hearing aid!  I used to find it difficult to carry on conversations when many people were talking at once, especially on formal occasions, and in a crowded room.  I also found it difficult even in small family situations when 3 or 4 people were all talking at once. I was in my late 40’s early 50’s and not at an age that you associate with deafness!  It was at my sister’s suggestion about 6 years ago that I sought advice from the specialists at the ENT Hospital in London who in turn referred me to the Audiology Department in the Portland Hospital. My Audiologist was very kind and I undertook a great many hearing tests to ascertain the exact state of my hearing.  Eventually it was diagnosed that I had a mild to partial hearing loss equivalent to someone at least 20 years older!  I was fitted with my first ITC hearing aid and never really looked back!  My audiologist returned to New Zealand about a year after I started wearing my hearing aid and the hospital subsequently lost my notes and I never really felt they were interested in me. 

I carried on until I lost the earpiece having taken it out to listen to some music.  I then turned to the Internet, had a home fitting and was issued with a CIC piece.  Unfortunately this never really worked that well and I had constant feedback which led to my not wearing the aid at all.  I then went to Boots in Kingston who had a hearing aid specialist, but they tried to persuade me that the ITC or CIC hearing aids were ‘Old fashioned’ and that I really should go for one of the behind the ear pieces.  I was not happy with this advice, being slightly self-conscious of the fact that I needed help,  so left it.  Eventually I decided I really needed some more advice so I looked up relevant specialists on the Internet.  Leightons HearingCare came up, and more for the fact that they were local and I knew they had a good reputation as Opticians, I booked an appointment with them.

"My audiologist listened very carefully to my  ‘hearing’ history which I was very pleased about."

I was a little nervous prior to my first appointment, mainly because I was hoping that the tests would be thorough and extensive and not just a quick bee”beep and press button” type of test. However, the receptionists were all very friendly and I took to my audiologist straight away. She was very informative and friendly and put me at my ease straight away.  She listened very carefully to my  ‘hearing’ history which I was very pleased about, since I didn’t feel she wanted to get straight down to the tests without getting to know about me first.  After the test she explained very clearly and carefully the exact extent of my hearing loss and the graphics on the computer were also very helpful in helping me to ascertain  what sounds I was having dificulty with.  We talked about different hearing aids.  I explained that I had been to Boots who had tried to get me to purchase a behind the ear hearing aid by rubbishing the ITC and CIC aids.  I was adamant that i Wanted an ITC OR cic.  We discussed various makes in some detail,since this would be my thrid hearing aid.  I felt she was veryknowledgeable about the various makes and gently guided me towards the best one for my needs.  This one did have an option to have built in MP3 controls and Mobile Phone controls which were very tempting!  I left with a couple of quotes, a brochure giving all the details of this particular aid and feeling under no pressure to purchase. When I returned to order my hearing aid,I felt that a very good package was offered, complete with a “money back guarantee” if it did not work out at all. I felt very confident in going ahead and placing my order. 

 "I felt confident that it was virtually invisible"

Although this wasn’t my first hearing aid, I was very pleased by the ease in  which i was able to use this one. It fitted in my ear very well and I felt confident that it was virtually invisible.  I had been having a lot of feedback difficulties with my previous aid and it was a relief to be able to hear more clearly again without the constant ringing in my ear.  I found having 3 settings very useful since there are often times when I need to just concentrate on one person speaking without getting all the extraneous sounds as well.  Although this particular hearing aid did come with an option to have MP3 and Mobile phone access as well – I thought that having the controls around my neck would be a bit cumbersome although I was very taken with the idea.

 "I also did some research into  properly qualified Audiologists and I knew that Leighton’s had a very good reputation as Opticians"

I have never had an NHS hearing aid because when I first started wearing them you could not get Digital Hearing Aids on the NHS and I was originally tested privately at the London ENT Hospital.  However, I have had experience of the NHS  Service through taking my father to have his hearing tested.  He lives in Wimbledon and I had to take him to St George’s Hospital in Tooting.   Although the audiologist was very thorough with him and took a lot of time to explain the hearing aid and his loss, I missed seeing the software that Leightons had on their system and which I felt would have explained things a bit better to my father.  Speaking personally it is much more convenient for me to go locally and pay for my hearing test since I do not have the time to travel to a major hospital audiology department. It also means I can choose the date and time of my visit to suit myself rather than to suit the hospital.  I also felt that the surroundings at Leightons were more condusive to a relaxed atmosphere rather than a cramped room with a hearing booth, at the back of the hospital.  I realise that I have had to pay considerably more for a private digital hearing aid but the  fact that although the NHS now offer digital hearing aids, they do not offer CIC or ITC aids, was the major reason for going private.  I chose leightons initially because it was convenient.  I also did some research into  properly qualified Audiologists and I knew that Leighton’s had a very good reputation as Opticians and I thought that they would be similarly strict about the quality of their Audiology Department

"Also watching TV has become easier"

I am so used to my hearing aid now that i really notice the difference when I am not wearing it!  I find at work where i am dealing on a face to face basis with a lot of people, especially teenagers ( who do not always speak very clearly!), and in a noisy atmosphere, that it has helped me a lot and saves me the embarrassment of having to ask them to repeat their request.  Likewise, I am often in situations where there are many other people around me talking to each other.  I used to find these situations very tiring and awkward since I could not always distinguish what was said and didn’t feel able always to join in the conversations..  Also watching TV has become easier – even the news with  Fiona Bruce!!!…

 "I like the idea of the free batteries... and feel confident that should any difficulties arise I can take the hearing aid back to Leightons"

I am very pleased with the aftercare I have received with Leightons.  I was called back for my six-monthly appointment recently – i hadn’t realised that 6 months had passed!  There were a few minor adjustments which I asked to be made and which were done so with ease.  I like the idea of the free batteries since they are sometimes hard to come by and it gives me peace of mind that I always  have a good stock.  I also feel confident that should any difficulties arise I can take the hearing aid back to Leightons