Did you know only a small percentage of those people that have trouble hearing do anything about it? - I didn’t. I didn’t want to wear hearing aids. I didn’t volunteer. They are not like the latest computer game or sports car, a must have new possession. No one else I knew had them, although I DO know people who SHOULD be wearing them and yet aren’t.
Nobody ever sets out with the ambition of not being able to hear very well. Just as not many people want to be short sighted but plenty of us are. We don’t want to hear that we can’t hear very well (no pun intended) - so we pretend we can, because after all, who wants to deal with it - I didn’t. But to keep on ignoring it, hoping it will go away or get better on its own (and I managed to keep that strategy working for quite a while I can tell you) means we are missing out – big time.
The point is to this rambling, I now wear hearing aids! I needed to know what people said to me - guessing was dangerous. Rather than dread meetings because I couldn’t be sure I could catch everything that was said, I now approach them with much more confidence. I even speak in public, but before, if anyone asked a question, I was stuck - I was unlikely in a big room to hear the question and boy, does that make you feel stupid!. Next month, people are actually paying to hear me at a conference in London and, this is the shocking part, I am looking forward to it – how bizarre is that? Before I had hearing aids I would actively avoid such situations and now I am volunteering to do them!
Were my work colleagues fed up with me if I couldn’t hear? – You bet. You see the problem is not having hearing aids – it’s NOT having them !. I thought people would look at them all the time, but you have to be really nosey to notice them – In fact, if I don’t wear them and can’t hear so well, it’s worse than having hearing aids .I know, I’ve been there – having is better!
Now I said before, hearing aids are not things to put on your Christmas list if you don’t have to, but if you do, go for it - you owe it yourself. Having hearing aids is not being deaf, just as having glasses does mean you are blind. It means you are being grown up and getting the best out of life .You really are missing out on a lot otherwise, but then you wouldn’t know ….
Martyn Melvin
Dear Tim Johnson and everyone at the Oxford Hearing Centre,
I thought it was about time I showed my gratitude to you all a little more publicly by writing the following testimonial.
Hearing is believing and for the first time in many years thanks to the outstanding and professional care of the staff at Oxford Hearing Centre, I can now believe.
As a forty two year old male working in a technical/sales environment it's important to be able to converse with clients at all times. My social life had been suffering and my work colleagues expressed their exasperation at having to repeat themselves, as did my clients.
I had for a long time suffered from serious hearing loss and a behind the ear analogue model was not helping matters, that is until I was recommended the Oxford Hearing Centre. I can only say now I wish I had visited so much earlier. I met Tim Johnson who carefully assessed my hearing problems and measured my remaining hearing levels with meticulous care. Tim then talked about what he felt he could do to improve my hearing and felt strongly that digital aids would vastly improve my hearing loss.
It was nearing Christmas 2003 and Tim and the staff pushed to make sure I would be fitted with my new aids in time for the festivities.
That was the best Christmas present I had ever had.
Since the day I had the new aids fitted my outlook on life has changed dramatically and my friends and colleagues have been amazed at how my hearing has improved so much. Now I can hear the television without it having to be turned up loud, conversations are easy to pick up and most of all my self confidence has soared.
Sounds that many of us take for granted but for me I had lost, began gradually to return to me. Birdsong, rainfall, traffic noise the toot of an old steam engine at Didcot railway station- what lovely sounds they are. And it's all thanks to the kind and professional staff at the Oxford hearing centre.
So if you're reading this don't suffer in silence because you don't like the idea of wearing a hearing aid. Hearing aids have come on leaps and bounds and are much more comfortable to wear and are so small that hardly anyone will know you are wearing one.
I know this to be true as I'm the living proof of it!
Mr. M Clayden
I am an active busy person leading a hectic and frequently noisy social life.
My self confidence certainly took a knock when suddenly, approximately five years ago, without warning, I lost a large percentage of hearing in my right ear.
I was soon fitted with an earlier type digital hearing instrument which helped to a degree, but I was far from happy. Suffering many side effects which were very irritating and tiring; e.g. listening to myself eat, swallow, talk, walk and hearing people talking on the other side of the room, but not the person next to me.
So after receiving and reading a brochure regarding the new Adapto hearing piece, I thought to myself, ‘this sounds like the answer to my problems’.
I phoned the Oxford Hearing Centre the very next day and within 3 weeks, Tim Johnson fitted what I can only describe as ‘a little piece of magic’.
My old self-confidence has returned, no longer do I feel self-conscious or worried that I won’t hear and no side effects to contend with.
I can honestly say that I can wear my new Adapto for a whole day without thinking about it.
Many thanks Tim Johnson and all at OHC
Mrs Christine Fellows
Oyez! Hear ye! HEAR ye!! HEAR YE!!!
It is a pleasure to place on record my very favourable impression of the friendly, understanding, and highly competent care that I have received from all at the Oxford Hearing Centre since I first made avail of their fine services some five years ago on coming to Oxford. To be able to hear and comprehend in a variety of situations not only enhances the quality of my life but is essential to my profession. Only when one has experienced the benefits of improved hearing to one's general wellbeing and sense of being reconnected with the world at large can one realise what a difference all this makes.
With sincere appreciation and continued good wishes,
Prof. E.S. of Oxford
Oxford Hearing Centre has changed my life.
It was my ENT consultant that told me I must go to them. It was so easy to arrange to have all the tests done. Everyone is so warm and friendly and yet really efficient and professional. They make me feel like I'm their only patient! - not like the doctors where they try to rush you out because they don't have much time.
Before I had my new device, everyone found it difficult to have a conversation with me. No one would speak because I couldn't hear what they were saying.
I go to courses at Glastonbury Abbey for calligraphy and needlework; before I had my hearing aid I would sit at the back and keep quiet, hoping that no one would notice me. I was scared that they would ask me a question and I wouldn't be able to hear. One lady told me to sit in the middle of the table because they were all tired of having to shout at me. Now I have my hearing aid I really enjoy the course; it's become a completely different experience for me.
I can even hear bird song when I go for walks. I'm more confident travelling on my own. I used to struggle at the train station and was always scared that I would get on the wrong connection but now I can hear what the announcements are and what the person selling the tickets says.
My son and daughter-in-law are so pleased and talk to me a lot more because it’s not as hard work for them or me like it was before. I used to feel my grandchildren pitied me when we played games because I couldn't hear them. Now we all join in and it’s much better.
What a shame I didn’t do this years ago instead of struggling for so long.
Without doubt Oxford Hearing Centre has changed my life – I am now so much more out going and happy.
With very many thanks
Mrs P Bond -Oxford
My Grandmother is 95 going on 33 (in her heat at least). She has become more deaf as time passes and her hearing aid did not seem to be helping matters. Not wishing to interfere with her care (the retirement home and family combined) and believing that it is simply a fact of life that as you get older then, things wear out, I started to become resigned to her deteriorating condition. But it became so bad that any conversation with her was a monumentous effort and very unrewarding. On both sides.
So I spoke to my father and suggested we have her ears syringed using the best technique available – a suction device operated by an ENT surgeon. This seemed to help and a lot of wax was cleared away and the ENT surgeon said that her eardrums were in good condition. I asked about the ‘Jurassic’ hearing aid. It was so old that the ENT surgeon couldn’t even identify it although he did say it was an analogue device.
I had heard of digital hearing aids and asked him if my grandmother could benefit. He thought it might be possible and gave me contact details of a couple of hearing centres in the area. He suggested caution with whom I approached - there was always the possibility that we could spend a lot of money upgrading her hearing aid without benefit. I decided then that the best way forward was to negotiate a money-back-guarantee deal with a hearing centre to protect my Grandmother’s interests.
So, I left the clinic feeling excited and that I might be able to help my Grandmother’s plight. It was worth a try.
The family rallied around to ferry my Grandmother to the OHC for her initial test. My father, A MD, was enthusiastic about the centre and praised their care and attention. So far, so good. I contacted the OHC and arranged her second consultation to fit the device. The staff were fantastic; very professional, proactive and caring.
The hearing specialist (Timothy) was amazing. He clearly enjoyed the work he did and seemed to gain great satisfaction when he could make a difference to people’s lives by improving their hearing. Timothy had some rather impressive equipment that I was curious to know about. He took the time to answer my many questions – it’s a fascinating field. He was excellent at communicating with my Grandma. He had such a kind, firm but gentle manner with her. She was not at all fazed and went along with the plan.
A while later we had her new digital hearing aid fitted – notably one in each ear rather than just one in one ear. I nearly fell off my chair when I noticed how much she could hear. It reminded me of that film called ‘Awakening’ where the researcher noticed (by accident) that the patients were shut down on the outside but everything was working on the inside. Grandma was clearly alive and kicking and very much wanted to plug back into society and these digital hearing aids were helping her do so! She even flirted with Timothy. Cheeky Grandma!
When I drove my Grandma back to the retirement home, I decided to test her hearing and said out loud, ‘’Grandma would you please have a look a the map as I just need to check where we are going.’’ She instantly reached for the map and started thumbing the pages for the right place. I felt quite emotional when I saw her do this but swiftly checked myself as I was supposed to be concentrating on driving the car!
I decided to take my Grandma out for a spontaneous celebratory lunch and took a detour to a family member’s restaurant. At the restaurant my Grandma ordered her own meal. Unbelievable.
My Auntie called me the next day to say how delighted she was with Grandma’s hearing improvement. She had a real conversation with her. She said It was such a breathe of fresh air to see Grandma engaged again.
You should know that in her youth, Grandma was a very stylish, elegant, confident lady, always putting people at ease, a social butterfly, always relaying amusing stories. She was married to my Grandfather who was a Professor in Nuclear physics and she partnered him all around the world playing the part of the ‘diplomat’s wife’ a role that suited her and which she adored. When she could hear again, I saw a flashback to the vibrant Grandma I remembered from 30+ years ago.
Prologue
Grandma continues to hear well, provided that she puts here hearing aids in! We are all delighted to have our wonderful Grandma back!! Thank you to all at the OHC for a fantastic job.
Ms Lesley Buckeridge.
I just wanted to tell whoever is responsible for SoundWaves that, even though I'm not a customer of the Oxford Hearing Centre ( my cousin, Mrs Pasternak is, but she is Russian and only comes over to stay with me occasionally)
- I always read it and find it really interesting. I'm connected to various charitable organisations who try to design and send out attractive newsletters, but yours outstrips them all.
It combines perfectly a high level of focussed and useful information ( like the piece on DSP this issue) which is technical and informative but with an easy level of communication, with good, heart warming people orientated local items ( Horspath Boys, Valerie your fairy Godmother with the purple fluffy wand) .
It makes one really like and respect your organisation without even being a user of it. I also remember reading about your charitable work
Well Done
Ann Pasternak-Slater
May I take this opportunity to thank Nicole and Simon for their consultations over the phone. As a result of indifferent treatment received locally to me, I shall have no hesitation in contacting you again in the future for any assistance with my aids.
Mr D. D. - Leicestershire
Many thanks for the hearing aid; repaired with consummate skill and in no time at all.
Mr J.G. - Warwickshire
Thank you for seeing me through my little'nightmare'. You dealt with the problem with such kindness and understanding; I want you to know how very much I appreciated all your help and the time you devoted to me.
Mrs S. W.
Most grateful appreciation for your help in supplying the excellent hearing aids which are totally trouble-free and so satisafactory.
- THE BEST I HAVE EVER HAD !!
Mrs H.G.
Thank you for sending your quarterly newsletter " SoundWaves" - there is much worthwhile in these pages.
Kind Regards
K.K. - Banbury
I am writing (at long last) to say how satisfied I have been with the care and attention I have received from the Oxford Hearing Centre.
In particular, I have found you to be knowledgable and conscientious Audiologists and invariably courteous to boot!.
Your secretarial staff are both helpful and efficient.
Long may your institution continue!
With every good wish
J.B - Oxon
It would be impossible for me to lead the lifestyle I enjoy without the assistance of hearing aids. These I have worn for nigh on 20 years and have consulted and dealt with none other than Oxford Hearing Centre. The quality of their service is of the highest professional order and I have recommended many friends and acquaintances to Oxford Hearing Centre. Professional service of this nature is not inexpensive but worth every penny of my investment over the years with sincere appreciative.
Thanks
Mr James Simmons (Oxon)
This new hearing aid is real magic! It transformed my life. Now I do not have to worry about going to meetings or big gatherings (actually even small gatherings were problematic). I used to miss a lot of what was going on around me. Now I can hear almost as normal people hear. I used to get irritated if people whisper in my ears because I did not hear anything. Last month I had a whole day of whispered translation. It was fantastic. I am very grateful to the excellent service provided by Oxford Hearing Centre. They are very professional, friendly and incredibly helpful. I have been with Oxford Hearing centre for over 12 years, during which I have had excellent service. I have recommended the centre to family and friends.
Dr M Kaml-Yanni (Oxford)
Since I suffer from memory problems as well as hearing I can only say that in each visit I have been dealt with most courtesy and efficiently and can recommend this centre whole heartedly.
Mr J B.
Thank you and all at Oxford Hearing Centre for sending me very best wishes on my recent birthday. At my age (87!) one doesn't receive such kind remembrance very often! It seems a long time ago (6 years) that I first went to the centre and I an very grateful for all the attention I have received over these years.
Best wishes to all.
Mr R .J.
