Life-changing hearing aids restore joy and confidence
WHEN the Specsavers Sligo audiology team fitted Anne Mary
(Maura) Behan with state-of-the art hearing aids, her life was transformed. She gained a new-found confidence in both her family and social life.
Before visiting Specsavers, Maura had experienced many different hearing aids and she was never happy with them which left her feeling isolated and frustrated for a long time. Using hearing aids that didn’t work properly prevented Maura from interacting with family and friends. Also, she couldn’t watch the television without subtitles which made her feel as though she was just existing and not living life to the fullest.
Maura explains: “Engaging in general conversation, watching television, and talking on the phone was a huge struggle for me before I went to Specsavers and got fitted with my new hearing aids.
“I also never felt confident being on my own and I always had to have a member of my family join me when running essential errands which, as you can imagine, makes life quite difficult.”
When Maura visited Specsavers Sligo, she had a hearing test and discovered she was suffering with severe to profound high-frequency hearing loss.
Specsavers Sligo audiologist Andy Thompson explained the condition to Maura and also provided information on all of the hearing aid options available to her.
Maura left her appointment that day with essential information on her condition as well as the confidence to make a phone call without having someone else there to help her.
Maura continues:
“My new hearing aids have changed my life completely. I’m now able to hear the birds chirping, I can watch the television on low volume and, most importantly, I can engage in conversations more. “I’m livelier now at 80 years of age than I was before, and I have my confidence back. I’d like to thank Andrew at Specsavers for all his help.”
Specsavers audiologist, Mr Thompson says:
“It was heart-warming to see such a change in Maura after fitting her hearing aids. She looked confident and was full of chat and joy. “It was also great to see her speak so positively about her experience at Specsavers.”
Maura is keen to stress that if you’re struggling with your hearing aids, “don’t wait to get them looked at”. Tests are completely painless and “will change your life.” Not only does looking after your hearing health benefit your own quality of life, it strengthens the relationships with those around you.
Following changes to the PRSI scheme last year, those eligible for the benefit can now avail of a pair of hearing aids up to the value of €1,000 or put their PRSI contribution towards the cost of a more expensive pair of hearing aids at Specsavers.
Even with a medical card, many will also have PRSI entitlements which would make them eligible for a free pair of hearing aids.
For more details or to make an appointment at Specsavers Sligo, please call 071 913 5196 or visit specsavers.ie/hearing.