I could improve my hearing without thinking about the cost

John’s on song again with new hearing aids

AFTER years of working in the steel industry, musicmad builder John Dixon knew he’d lost some of his hearing.

However, he didn’t realise how serious the situation was until he booked a free hearing test with experts Amplifon.

Thankfully John, who plays in a band by night, has now got his life back on track with state-of-the-art hearing aids.

Amplifon’s ‘buy now, pay later’ plan has struck the right note too – meaning he doesn’t have to start paying for his life-changing new hearing aids for 12 months.

John says: “When I put the hearing aids in it was like I’d been blind and could see again.”

Like many people, John had delayed getting help with his hearing for some time.

Action on Hearing Loss estimates that 6.7million people in the UK would benefit from wearing hearing aids, but on average people wait 10 years before seeking a solution.

John explains: “I’d noticed I had trouble hearing people in loud environments, but I hadn’t realised the extent of my problem.”

When he finally had a hearing test, it revealed that his ability to hear some higher frequencies was down by 70 per cent.

Loss of high frequencies can make it difficult to hear the voices of women and children, and to catch some consonants including F, S an K.

The test, available free at 200 hearing centres across the UK, takes an hour and 20 minutes.

And as John discovered, it reveals a detailed picture of someone’s hearing across all frequencies and the impact any deficits are having on daily life.

Amplifon’s audiologists then bring together their expert knowledge and the latest digital technology from leading manufacturers to create an individual solution for every customer’s needs. For John they provided a huge benefit.

He says: “The difference has been excellent. And the buy now, pay later scheme meant I could improve my hearing right away, without having to think about the cost.”

John’s audiologist recommended devices that balance and boost his hearing experience and link to his iPhone, so he can easily alter the settings to adjust to different situations and environments.

The volume, treble, bass and features which filter out background noise, can all be adjusted with a discreet tap on his phone.

And John reckons the flexibility of his new wonder gadgets when he’s performing with his folk and Celtic band can’t be beaten.

He says: “If I’m in a noisy pub I would change it to the party setting, if I’m playing music, especially on the stage, I can change it to the music setting.

“I used to get a lot of feedback when I played an A or a B note on the harmonica, but that’s gone now I can change the setting.

“There’s also an outdoor setting for when I’m outside and it’s a bit breezy, which is very handy.”

John’s family has spotted the improvement, too.

He adds: “I can hear what people are saying now so they’ve noticed I don’t have to say, ‘pardon’ all the time.” But no one can see his hearing aids. John says: “The hearing aids are very small, so a lot of people don’t even realise I’m wearing them.

“I tell people it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. For what you pay, it’s not a lot for the improvement that it makes to your life – especially when Amplifon makes it so easy with their buy now, pay later scheme.”

‘I tell people it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.’