A New Lease on Life: The Power of Regular Hearing Health Checks

Changes to our hearing often occur slowly, over many years, which can sometimes make it difficult to identify for ourselves as we adapt to our new hearing level. However, these changes can often have an impact on our day to day lives; conversations become more difficult, loud environments are overwhelming and previously loved activities like listening to music are no longer able to be enjoyed.

While hearing loss is often inevitable, it can usually be managed with hearing aids, which can give you back so much of your hearing and allow you to continue to enjoy life to the fullest!

One person who experienced this remarkable transformation is 81-year-old Rodney George, from Great Rydurgh, with his inspiring journey through the world of hearing health. His story serves as a vital reminder of the importance of regular hearing checks, (which he passionately conveys to everyone) especially to those over the age of 50.

Rodney’s life took a hopeful turn after a visit to our Opticians in M&S Norwich. His wife, Pat, aged 74, became increasingly worried about her husband’s gradual withdrawal from social activities and feared it might be early-stage dementia. With these fears in mind, Pat convinced Rodney to take advantage of M&S Opticians’ free hearing health check, a decision that would turn their lives around for the better.

In Pat’s words, “The Rodney I knew and loved had slowly slipped away over the years, with him gradually withdrawing from family and friends at social occasions and becoming increasingly reclusive. At best, I thought he had ‘selective’ hearing, but my deepest fear was that he was experiencing the early stages of cognitive decline.”

The turning point came while the couple was shopping at M&S, where they discovered the opportunity for a free hearing test. “We realised you could book a hearing health check and decided there was no time like the present. What transpired has turned our lives around. I have the old Rodney back!”

Rodney's consultation with Crawford Prasser, a skilled hearing aid audiologist with over 20 years of experience, revealed that Rodney was suffering from severe hearing loss. However, the good news was that his quality of life could be significantly enhanced with advanced digital hearing aids. Alongside his hearing aids, Rodney also invested in a streamer called Roger which helps users overcome challenges posed by distance and noise, thus transforming Rodney’s daily experiences, especially at mealtimes where he is able to place the device in the middle of the table and be fully immersed in conversation at family meals.

Rodney, a former IT specialist, could not be happier with his new hearing aids. With his new best friend Roger, he has rediscovered his passion for classical music. With a heart full of gratitude, he shares his joy, “I can’t believe I spent so many years not getting my hearing checked regularly. I am now doing what I can to spread the word and encourage people over 50 to go for a free hearing health check, even if you think you can hear perfectly well. I have a large vinyl collection of classical music that had been gathering dust over the years as I couldn’t hear the music. It made me really despondent but now I am overjoyed that I can crank up the record player and once again enjoy what I love.”

The Georges have more reasons to smile these days, especially when they think about their forever home. They moved into their dream house five years ago, a modern design with high ceilings that unfortunately amplified Rodney’s hearing challenges. Pat adds poignantly, “This was meant to be our forever home, and seeing Rodney so frustrated and unhappy made me sad. Since he’s had his hearing aids fitted, seeing him happy at home and loving life has filled me with such joy that I thought I’d never experience again. Please don’t be afraid to get your hearing checked – it’s been life-changing for both of us!”

Crawford Prasser has witnessed countless cases of individuals experiencing social isolation and depression due to undiagnosed hearing loss. He emphasises, “Unlike eye care, there is still a stigma around hearing loss, which is such a precious and vital sense that unless it’s taken care of, it can impact our wellbeing. Seeing the positive impact of finding the right solution for people like Rodney is so rewarding and is why I love what I do. As we grow older, our hearing is going to deteriorate - it’s a fact of life - and early intervention is always best for a positive outcome. Hearing aid technology is developing all the time, and there is a solution for everyone and every budget.”

Top 5 Signs of Hearing Loss to Look Out For:

  1. Difficulty Hearing Others Clearly: Often misunderstanding what people say, voices appearing muffled.
  2. Asking People to Repeat Themselves: Finding conversations challenging.
  3. High Volume Preferences: Turning up the TV or music volume excessively.
  4. Trouble Hearing Telephone or Doorbell: Missing important alerts.
  5. Feeling Tired or Stressed: Straining to hear can be exhausting.

Rodney’s journey underscores a fundamental truth: never underestimate the power of regular hearing checks. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, take a leaf out of Rodney’s book and schedule a hearing health check at M&S Opticians today. Your quality of life could greatly improve, just like it did for Rodney and his family.

Book an appointment now