Jeremy now enjoys being able to join in any conversation

“I’m part of the group again, whereas before I would zone out and float off away into the background.”

“ REALISED I was losing my hearing when my wife started to nag me about how loud I’d have the TV on,” says Jeremy. “The problems had started in my 30s when I was working in a factory without any protection.”

Jeremy had suffered for years before finally admitting he needed hearing aids. “Sitting in meetings at work or round a dining table with family and friends, I would zone out,” he says. “I wasn’t even aware that I was doing it, but my wife would say: ‘Join in Jeremy!’”

He’d even tried to learn to lip read just to get by. “I was embarrassed to admit that I couldn’t hear what was going on, so I’d just switch off,” he says. “I’d ignore people. Apparently I was quite rude, but I could only make out what someone was saying if they were right next to me or sitting opposite.”

Now retired, Jeremy got his first hearing aids while he was still at work and he used to pop into Amplifon, the experts dedicated to helping people hear better since 1950, to buy the batteries as it was cheaper than going to his usual provider. As soon as he was out of contract, he went straight to Amplifon to get tested and was fitted with two new hearing aids. The results were immediate.

“It totally transformed my life,” he says. “In a work situation, I was able to fully participate. I can now engage with my friends in a noisy restaurant. My only regret is that I didn’t go to Amplifon years ago. I’m actually quite a sociable person who’s happy to chat to anyone and these hearing aids totally transformed the way I was. The old Jeremy came back.”

As well as being impressed by the results his new hearing aids gave, Jeremy was very happy with Amplifon’s personal and friendly customer service. “I had a really long and thorough hearing test with my audiologist, Katie, and she recommended hearing aids that were appropriate for me. I had check-ups for two or three weeks after my hearing aids were fitted and Katie assured me I could nip in to my local branch any time and she’ll check everything’s OK. Nothing’s too much trouble for Katie and she’s so pleasant and helpful. She put me at ease and made sure my hearing aids do exactly what I need.”

Amplifon’s four-year guarantee is impressive, too, as Jeremy notes. “If there’s anything wrong with the hearing aids, I can just bring them into the branch and they’ll sort it there and then – there’s no need to send them away and be stuck without them for weeks.”

Jeremy recommended Amplifon to his family and friends too. “My wife used to have NHS hearing aids and she now has Amplifon ones fitted like me. We can now turn the TV down and communicate properly again,” he says.

Now Jeremy’s looking forward to a life where he can join in any conversation. “I won’t be shut out like I was before,” he says. “This summer I’m going on a river cruise where I’ll meet new people and I’m confident that I can have a conversation with them. I have two sons and several grandchildren and when they come round for a meal I can enjoy their company and join in at last. I’m part of the group again, whereas before I would zone out and float off away into the background.”

“I just regret that I didn’t swallow my pride and take the plunge years ago,” he says. “If anyone is thinking about it, I would say go along to Amplifon and have a trial. It won’t cost you anything and you’ll notice what a difference hearing aids can make straightaway. It’s transformed my life.”