Jack McLaren had been living with hearing loss since childhood, but it wasn't until his husband's routine eye appointment at M&S Gemini in Warrington that his hearing health journey truly began. While accompanying his husband for an eye test, a colleague at M&S Opticians mentioned their hearing care services, prompting Jack to book an assessment.
A lifetime of challenges
Jack’s hearing loss was recognised early in life, but it wasn’t fully investigated until his mid to late teens. Living with only around 20% of usual hearing - one ear with profound loss, the other severe - he’s long relied on lip-reading and speech therapy to communicate. Traditional hearing aids and even loudspeakers provided limited help, and phone use was out of the question. Social settings with background noise and unfamiliar accents only intensified his communication difficulties, leading to feelings of isolation and frustration.
Previous solutions fell short
Although Jack had NHS hearing aids for a couple of years, they proved uncomfortable and ineffective, especially in noisy environments or when he couldn’t see people's faces. Watching TV required subtitles, and conversations often left him feeling disconnected.
A turning point: Embracing AI technology
Everything changed when Jack met audiologist Gyelaine Murray at M&S Opticians in Gemini. Her calm, patient approach helped Jack feel at ease throughout the process. “Gyelaine took the time to explain every step and made sure I understood everything clearly,” he shares. Her personalised recommendations and expert guidance helped Jack select a new pair of AI-powered hearing aids—and the results were life-changing.
Life-changing results
The transformation was immediate. The new hearing aids not only offered unmatched comfort, but also advanced functionality through a companion app. Though adjusting to the sounds he’d missed for decades is still a work in progress, Jack is thriving.
“It’s like a whole new world has opened up,” he explains. Once feeling like he lived in a “little bubble,” Jack now joins in conversations with confidence. This new sense of assurance has carried over into his professional life as well, helping him feel less anxious in unfamiliar situations. Even simple pleasures like watching television without subtitles have become enjoyable again.
Advice for others
Jack’s experience underscores the importance of awareness of understanding how you are hearing.
“It’s been a complete whirlwind—overwhelming but in the best way,” Jack says. “After 32 long years, I can finally hear every sound clearly. It’s like stepping into a whole new world, and I’m just beginning to embrace it.”
When asked what advice he’d give to others experiencing hearing issues, Jack is clear:
“Just go for a hearing check if you think you’re having issues or if family and friends are commenting on your hearing. You have nothing to lose—and there are lots of options available.”
Jack’s journey is a powerful reminder of how today’s hearing technology can dramatically improve quality of life, restoring not only sound, but confidence, connection, and joy.
If you’re struggling with your hearing or think you might benefit from a free hearing check, visit M&S Opticians to find your nearest location.