“Blindness cuts us off from things, but deafness cuts us off from people” Why having your hearing checked is so important

Hearing loss affects approximately 11 million people in the UK which makes it the second most common disability in the UK but, as an invisible disability, it often goes unnoticed.

Hearing is important for healthy relationships and social connections, as important in our working lives as it is in our personal lives.

If you have noticed a change in your habits regarding your hearing, for example, noticing the television is too loud or having difficulty hearing when there is background noise, it may be time to consider having a hearing test.

Those most at risk of hearing loss are people older than 60 and those working in noisy occupations.

Chamber member and hearing aid audiologist Deepak Jagota says it is vital to listen to customers as “no two people are the same even if they have the same degree of hearing loss”.

“That’s why a patient centred approach is important taking into account specific areas of difficulty and individual needs,” said Deepak, from Hearing Well.

“We take a holistic approach and take the time to understand our patients in order to deliver the best solution leaving no stone unturned.”

It is this combination of expertise, diligence and care that supported one of Deepak’s clients, who needed a tailored hearing solution.

Chris Williams said: “My sister is disabled. Her recent loss of hearing had become a real risk to both her safety and to her ability to live independently. Her disability and a unique combination of problems meant finding the right hearing solution for my sister was far from straightforward.”

Having tried a wide range of devices from several manufacturers with the client, the hearing aids that were ordered fixed her hearing but proved too fiddly for her limited fine motor skills.

Chris continued in his five-star review of Hearing Well: “You could tell that Deepak was genuinely distraught at not being able to help her. He immediately returned our money despite all the time and effort he had invested.”

Deepak continued with his research to find a solution and contacted several more hearing aid manufacturers from within the UK and internationally. In the end, a design engineer friend of Deepak’s succeeded in creating a new size and shape of hearing aid especially designed to deal with the client’s unique issues and physiology.

“I am so grateful for the level of perseverance and downright dogged determination shown by Deepak on behalf of my sister,” added Chris.

“It has been about three months since she was fitted with her special unique-toher hearing aids. They work perfectly. She is delighted to be able to join in conversations and now feels safe out in the traffic. They fit her perfectly and she wears them very proudly.”

Hearing loss

• 1 in 6 of the UK adult population is affected by hearing loss.

• 8 million of these are aged 60 and over.

• 6.7 million could benefit from hearing aids but only about 2 million people use them.

• About 900,000 people are severely or profoundly deaf.

• About 12,000 people in the UK use cochlear implants.

• Many people with hearing loss also have tinnitus which affects 1 in 10 adults. They may also have balance difficulties.

• Hearing loss is associated not only with mental health conditions but also with numerous physical health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, anaemia, chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, sleep apnea, balance problems and an increased risk of falls. www.hearinglink.org

Hearing Well is a valued Chamber member and winner of a number of Chamber Business Awards.

For more information visit www.hearingwell.co.uk