“My name is Kirsti, I am 63 years old and I have hearing aids in both ears.

   

I have had problems hearing doorbells and ringing of the telephone as long as I can remember, but I never paid much attention to this, just installed an amplifier for the door bell and set the telephone ringing as loud as possible. Then, about ten years ago, I noticed that in large gatherings I had great difficulty in understanding what the people around me were saying, but since I had no problems in smaller groups I did not think much about it, just nodded and smiled, said yes and no when it seemed appropriate. It was embarrassing sometimes, but I could live with it, because I thought that I was too young to have hearing problems. There is this common idea that only old persons do not hear well and I was not old yet.

 

My husband often complained that I forgot many things he had told me, but I did not see this as a problem either: we are all very good in finding excuses if we want to, but the truth was that usually I had not heard what he said. In the last four years I had difficulty understanding people who did not look at me when they spoke, often saw irritation in their faces and noticed how they thought that I was stupid or did not understand English. It got so bad that I finally decided to have my hearing checked.

 

My GP told me about Beacon Audiology. I checked their site on the Internet and called for an appointment. I was treated in very professional and friendly manner, and my hearing was thoroughly examined. I was told that I needed a hearing aid for both ears and was given an ample choice of the most modern aids to choose from. The follow up visits have been equally friendly and professional.

 

It was hard to accept that my hearing was so bad. I felt old and almost ashamed until a friend of mine (who also uses hearing aids) told me about her philosophy: people of all ages use eyeglasses and everybody thinks it is normal, I use hearing aids and don’t see the difference. Some people do not see well even when they are babies and other persons have hearing problems from childhood. It does not make them old and I do not let the assumptions of other persons affect me.

 

Today I enjoy life in full. I hardly notice my hearing aids anymore and sometimes risk getting them wet in the bath, because I have forgotten that I am wearing them. I love to hear the singing of the birds when walking in the woods. I hear the telephones and doorbells, I go to concerts and enjoy the music and what is important I do not feel stupid anymore. I have a great advantage that most people do not have: I can return to my silent, soft world if life gets too noisy. My life has changed for the better!”

 

Kirsti
Exelia Art Micro wearer

Beacon Audiology
Suite 36
Beacon Hall
Beacon Court
Sandyford
Dublin 18
View Map/ Get Directions


Dr Sandra Cummings
B.Log.  M.Log. AuD.
(M.I.S.H.A.A., B.A.A.)

Jacqueline Reeves
B.Log. (M.I.S.H.A.A., B.A.A.)

Tel: 213 6220
Fax: 293 8881

Email: 
sandy@beaconaudiology.com
jacqui@beaconaudiology.com