Hearing aids have transformed my life
Retired surgeon Richard Bradbrook found his social life suffering due to poor hearing
When he struggled to pick up the questions at his weekly quiz night, Richard Bradbrook knew it was time to do something about his hearing. The 75-year old had suffered hearing loss related to Meniere’s disease, which causes tinnitus and vertigo, for 30 years. But when the condition began to affect his social life with wife Jenny, he was keen to find a solution.
“My hearing loss had become more marked and the thing that triggered me into action was when I realised I couldn’t hear the questions at the quiz night,” he says. “My wife had noticed the TV volume was increasing gradually and when we were at big family gatherings I couldn’t always catch conversations, which became frustrating.”
After a hearing test elsewhere proved less than satisfactory – a friend recommended Amplifon a global hearing specialist. Richard says the difference was amazing.
“The testing process was absolutely superb, it took two-anda- half hours whereas my previous test had lasted 40 minutes,” says Richard, a retired surgeon. “My audiologist did a very thorough investigation and assessment and then gave me a set of trial hearing aids, which I tried there and then. The effect was quite remarkable.”
Following his appointment, Richard was able to continue wearing the trial hearing aids for several weeks before making his order. He found huge benefits. “The first sound where the difference really came home to me was hearing the tranquility of the countryside,” he says. “We live in a rural environment and we have a favourite walk we like to do. For the first time I could hear the sounds of the countryside and the birdsong, which surprised me.” There was also a major improvement in noisy environments, which he had previously struggled with. With 12 grandchildren ranging in age from 4 to 20, Richard is now also able to play an active part in conversations again when the whole family meets up.
“One particularly remarkable moment was at Christmas when we went to our grandchildren’s Nativity play in a large church and I could hear every word the children were saying.”
“The difference in my hearing has been remarkable, my hearing aids have really transformed my life.”
And he no longer fears missing out on a quiz night question any more: “With my hearing aids it’s as if the quiz master is right next to our table,” he laughs.
“I also volunteer as a signal and telegraph engineer and I’ve found big differences when we have visitors coming in to see the oldfashioned equipment and they ask questions.” The technology used in Richard’s hearing aids means he can easily switch between settings when he is in different environments, and the aids automatically adjust when he is travelling in a car.
Amplifon’s aftercare has also impressed Richard: “It’s open house with Amplifon, so if I’ve got a query I know I can give my audiologist a shout,” he says. “The technology is absolutely extraordinary and it’s great to know it’s really simple for adjustments to be made if I need them. My audiologist is a real top-end professional and she’s a brilliant ambassador for Amplifon.”
Thanks to Amplifon, Richard can now hear much more clearly and his social life is back on track. “I’d recommend Amplifon without question, they offer a superb, highly professional service in every respect, from the branch coordinators on the front desk to the audiologist, who is absolutely outstanding,” he says “The difference in my hearing has been remarkable, my hearing aids really have transformed my life.”