"Now I can wear my hair short
Few people know Hilary Eccleston is wearing hearing aids, even with her stylish new hairdo. Bulky devices had previously left her feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable, but that all changed when she went to Amplifon.
The busy administration officer realised she needed to seek help when she began failing to hear hits of conversations at work.
"I was missing what was said in work meetings, which meant that I'd struggle to take the minutes," she says. The first hearing aids she tried from another private provider proved too bulky and uncomfortable, and she was still unable to pick up every sound.
But after visiting Amplifon, Hilary found her hearing was transformed and her confidence soared. "They were much neater than the hearing aids I had been offered before and they didn't feel as cumbersome in my ears," she says. "Before I went to Amplifon I had wanted to have short hair, but I hadn't because I felt embarrassed about my other hearing aids. Now I can wear my hair short and no one has a clue that I am wearing hearing aids."
She also found a huge difference in the hearing tests offered by the global hearing specialist. "The testing process was a lot longer and more thorough than any other appointment I'd had, and my audiologist, Claire, showed me the inside of my ear on a screen," she says. "From the combination of tests she did, it was dear that I was missing certain tones and she recommended the right kind of hearing aids to deal with that."
Hilary was able to try the devices suggested by her audiologist and the difference was instant.
Customers are usually offered a trial before they commit themselves, but Hilary was so impressed she placed an order that day. "As soon as I tried them on I wanted them," she says." Instantly everything was clearer, even without them being adjusted."
The devices have made a big difference to her work, home and social life. "I don't struggle in work meetings anymore and I am more confident dealing with visitors and work colleagues," she says. "I have been to birthday parties with loud music, where I can hear everyone around the table - which I wouldn't have been able to do before - mid at home I don't need the TV volume up so loud." As part of Amplifon's aftercare service, Hilary returned to her local centre every week for the first three weeks for adjustments. This ensured the aids delivered an optimal hearing experience.
"There's an open-door policy, so I can call in or ring up anytime," says Hilary "For anyone thinking about it, I would say you really want to go and see Amplifon. They have helped me massively. I now have a much better quality of life." ■