I put off getting hearing aids for years. I guess my hearing had been deteriorating for at least 15 years. At home, my husband would become frustrated having to repeat himself all the time or by me getting ‘the wrong end of the stick’. At work, well it was a bit of a joke – I misheard so many things my colleagues sometimes burst out laughing. In meeting, unbeknownst to me because I hadn’t heard, I was ‘dobbed in’ for all sorts of difficult tasks that no one else wanted to do. My boss thought I had ‘selective hearing.’ (Well sometimes I admit I did, but mostly I just genuinely didn’t hear). Still I put off the inevitable.
My husband and I had organised an 8 week overseas trip – the trip of a lifetime. I began to realise that I would miss out on so much if I couldn’t hear, so a few months before we were about to leave, I took the plunge. I noticed a new hearing centre, ‘Hearing Sense’, had opened on The Parade, Norwood and I made an appointment.
My appointment was with Pavel who immediately put me at ease. He tested my hearing, explained the results, took measurements and even contacted my health insurance company and they discussed with me the amount they would pay out for hearing aids. I returned after a couple of weeks to try out my aids. They are very unobtrusive, I can’t even feel them when they are in place and the very best thing is that I can hear again! I didn’t have to pay anything until I was sure they suited me but I was actually sure from the very beginning!
As I left Hearing Sense, the noise of the traffic in the street sounded so loud, I could clearly hear my feet on the pavement as I walked and the sounds of the birds chirping in the trees was wonderful! It was just amazing.
I know that I can go back to the Hearing Sense ‘family’ whenever I need to and I do drop in occasionally to pick up new batteries but mostly for a chat if they are not too busy. Pavel, his wife Kelly and the receptionist, Ashleigh are such lovely people. They really take an interest in you and make you feel that you are a friend. Just before my husband and I went on our trip, they sent us a bon voyage card and on our return, they were genuinely interested in hearing about our travels. And as for our travels – I didn’t miss hearing a thing!
I am incredibly glad I chose Hearing Sense – they have definitely changed my life for the better.
