Hearing aids are music to Austin’s ears ‘I can hear clearly now’

of cider, or a pint of bitter, or a pint of pale ale.”

Realising something had to be done, he says: “I did look at the National Health Service hearing aids, but there was a great big lump that went behind my ears. I am not a vain man, but it was a bit much. They were so big that if I put on my glasses my ears stuck out.”

Then he spotted an advertisement for Amplifon, a global hearing specialist with more than 200 UK hearing centres and 65-year heritage of helping people with hearing loss. “I checked Amplifon on the internet and found they have an excellent reputation, so I made an appointment.”

Initially he wanted hearing aids which fitted inside the ear canal and are almost invisible, however his audiologist suggested he try ReSound LiNX²7 aids, explaining they would maximise his hearing experience. Austin explains: “The part that goes behind the ear is so tiny you can hardly see it, and then there’s a tiny piece which goes into my ear. It allows normal sounds to come through. As far as I am concerned it has given me my full range of hearing back.”

Which means he has rediscovered some surprising sounds. “This might sound strange, but I can actually hear myself walking on the carpet in my bare feet. Also, we have double-glazing and now if it’s raining outside I can hear the rain outside, which I couldn’t hear before.”

And even though his hearing aids fit behind his ears, Austin says they are so discreet no one notices them. “I have to tell people I am wearing hearing aids.”

But Austin says you can’t miss the difference they have made to his life. “I feel much more confident because I am not forever saying, ‘Pardon, can you say that again?’ When you’re out you are not continually straining to hear a conversation, leaning forward trying to catch what people are saying. I don’t have to do that any more.

“My hearing aids are amazing, they have changed the way I hear every part of the modern world.” He adds: “I can’t tell you how happy I am that I went to Amplifon, the whole service is brilliant.”