Customer Experiences

Betty Driver MBE

Betty Driver MBE has been performing professionally since the age of 8, was singing for the BBC by the age of 10 and touring across the UK in her first revue at the age of 12

She’s appeared in films and in the West End, has been a big band singer, releasing 10 albums in the process, but is most remembered for her role as Betty Turpin in Coronation Street.  It’s a role she has played for over forty years, making her the longest serving barmaid in the history of the Rover’s Return.

It’s on the set of Coronation Street that Betty first realised that she had a problem with her hearing. Betty says ‘We record in a large TV studio and sit off screen whilst waiting to go on set. It’s here, with all the background noise, that I realised I was struggling to hear what people were saying.’ Betty also noticed that friends would comment on how loud the volume was on her TV.

Betty was attending an eye appointment at her local Boots Opticians when she noticed that Boots also provide a hearingcare service and promptly booked a free hearing test. Betty says ‘I had a hearing test which showed that hearing aids could help me with my hearing loss. Lisa, my hearing aid audiologist, talked me through the various options’. It’s important that Betty’s hearing aids aren’t seen on camera so she’s been fitted with completely in the canal hearing aids, which have been tinted to closely match the colour of her ears. Betty says ‘The service has been wonderful and I’m really pleased with my hearing aids, they’re so small you can barely see them. They’ve definitely improved my quality of life; I can hear what’s going on around me again, even with a lot of background noise.’ Betty adds ‘I’m not embarrassed to wear my hearing aids; it’s no different to wearing glasses to improve my eyesight and they make life worth living.’

In recognition of probably one of the longest careers in show business, Betty received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual British Soap Awards 2010.

I can hear sounds I haven’t heard for 20 years!

Colin Tarling first became suspicious of his hearing loss over 20 years ago when he began struggling in crowded environments at his work place.

Colin explains “I couldn’t join in with group conversation. I was also missing out on a lot of family conversation and started to shut myself off and read books instead".

Colin was initially tested by the NHS 4 years ago but struggled on until he heard about the extensive range of discreet and modern hearing instruments at Boots hearingcare.

Colin had a free hearing assessment at his local Boots hearingcare in Bournemouth and opted for Audeo YES III system from Phonak. Colin chose this product because of its cutting edge technology and discreet styling.

Colin says "I’m overjoyed with my hearing aids; they’re really discreet and easy to use.  In fact they’re so discreet I have to remind family members I’m wearing them and I now notice sounds I haven’t heard for 20 years - such as the birds singing."

Colin adds "I felt very comfortable as the Boots Hearing Check was free with no obligation, and I have been particularly impressed with the high level of service and ongoing support received from my local Boots store".

Colin Tarling, Bournemouth

Jeff Rich, Status Quo drummer

Jeff Rich, 56, played drums with Status Quo for 16 years with their unique sound blasting out from huge banks of amplifiers.

But after over 3,000 live performances Jeff was left partially deaf. “ I had 4,500 watts of amplification behind me, just so I could hear my drums! It never occurred to me to wear ear defenders and my ears would ring for days after a concert” says Jeff.

Jeff finally left Status Quo in 2000 to set up drumming workshops for children, visiting schools across the UK. Jeff says ‘I found it difficult to hear the children’s voices and had to ask them to repeat their questions. It was at this stage I realised I couldn’t struggle with deteriorating hearing any longer and needed to get some help.’

In 2007, prompted by his wife, Jeff visited his local Boots Hearingcare centre and, following a hearing test, was advised he would need hearing aids in both ears. Jeff’s hearing aids are worn inside the ear, are barely visible and have made a huge improvement to his quality of life. Jeff wears his hearing aids all day, every day. ‘I have two children still at home, my daughter who’s 2 years old and my son, who is just 20 weeks old. Being able to hear my daughter chattering away is a huge bonus’ says Jeff.

In fact, Jeff has been so pleased with his hearing aids that he’s recently upgraded to Phonak Exelia Art - the very latest in digital hearing aid technology. Jeff says ‘The sound is so much clearer and the icom system is brilliant – my aids work with my landline and mobile phone without any whistling or feedback. And I can also link my aids directly to my iplayer so that I can listen to music without having to wear headphones – the music plays directly to my hearing aids. My aids are also really easy to operate – when playing my drums I can flick the mute on at the touch of a switch.’

‘And there’s no need to feel embarrassed about wearing hearing aids. I did at first; I worried about what the children would think at my school workshops. But they usually think I’m wearing ear defenders so I take the opportunity to explain they’re hearing aids and, unless they protect their hearing, they could end up with poor hearing just like me’ says Jeff.

It’s wonderful to be part of the world again

Author Phillipa Faulks, who was recently fitted with a hearing aid at one of our centre’s, talks about her hearing loss.

"I was lying in bed when my husband Martin climbed in beside me and said, ‘I got the distinct impression that you didn’t hear much of what was said this evening.’ Hi s comment struck a chord with me, but I just laughed off his concern. I agreed that the restaurant in which we’d spent the evening with friends had been rather noisy – but wasn’t the food really delicious?

As a diversion tactic it was brilliant, but I couldn’t sleep because what he’d said was true – the evening had indeed been one long battle for me, trying to follow the conversation and straining to catch what my friends were saying.
The next morning I went to the post office and was mortified when I had to ask the cashier to repeat herself no fewer than four times. And so I decided to have my hearing checked and made an appointment at my local Boots Hearingcare centre. Following a hearing test I was fitted with hearing aids.

The positive impact on my life is fantastic - things are so much simpler, easier and clearer, from listening to music to watching the soaps on television. I’ve even learnt that checkouts beep as they scan your shopping. I’ve regained my confidence, socialise more and no longer feel left out of people’s conversations. It’s wonderful to be part of the world again."

Mum’s new hearing aids are like a miracle!

Mrs Sue Cunningham noticed that her Mum, Margaret Rugg-Easey, was becoming more and more withdrawn because of her poor hearing.

‘‘Mum was really struggling in social situations and people were no longer including her in conversations because it was quite hard work for everyone involved.

I cannot adequately describe the wonderful change Mum’s new hearing aids have made to her life; she’s more confident and so much happier.  She can listen to music again and can now watch any TV programme she chooses, instead of just those with subtitles. I can honestly say that it brought a tear to my husband’s eye when he realised just how well Mum could hear again.
I’m extremely impressed - the service Mum received from Stephen at Boots Hearingcare in Oxford has been excellent and Mum’s new hearing aids are like a miracle.’’

Mrs Sue Cunningham, Oxford

Ewan Gillies, Edinburgh

MY HEARING AIDS MADE ME FEEL LIKE ‘MEL GIBSON’!

Ewan Gillies, aged 45, is a director of a leading media agency based in Edinburgh.  He was enjoying a successful career when, ten years ago, Ewan noticed that he was finding it increasingly difficult to pick up what his colleagues and clients were saying in meetings.  “I could hear but it felt like people were talking very quietly or mumbling their words. I began to feel increasingly uncomfortable and anxious that I might miss something important being said.  The problem was at its worst when there was background noise or during a discussion where a few people spoke at the same time, especially in meetings and at busy restaurants.”

Ewan was referred to a NHS ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist.  He was tested and his hearing loss was confirmed.  After a short wait, Ewan was fitted with an analogue hearing aid.  “To be honest, it only helped to a certain extent.  My hearing was still fairly limited when I was wearing my aid and I would miss a great deal of what was being said.  I found conversations difficult; trying to fill in the gaps that I had missed was stressful.  I was doing a lot of sports coaching at the time and my aid was pretty useless in outdoor conditions, I’d hear a lot of whistling caused by the wind, which only added to my problem.”

“I struggled on for about nine years, which is incredible when I look back on it.  Then I met an old friend who had similar hearing difficulties to me and he recommended a visit to a Boots hearingcare Centre.  So I thought I’d give it a go and went along for a consultation and hearing test at my local centre”.

“I was utterly astonished to find out that I had nearly 50% hearing loss in both ears!  I had only ever worn one hearing aid and I was convinced that the problem was relatively minor, even though it was causing me great frustration.  My hearing aid audiologist explained that my situation was fairly typical.  He explained my options and showed me some of the sleek and stylish digital hearing aids that were now available.  I was pleasantly surprised at how discreet the devices were and impressed at the highly advanced technological features packed within such tiny units.  I opted for the Phonak Savia Art and I returned a week later to have them fitted in both ears.  My hearing aid audiologist was extremely helpful and he arranged a couple of follow-up appointments so that I could come back for my hearing aids to be fine-tuned.”

“On the day my hearing aids were fitted it was like the scene from the film, ‘What Women Want’ with Mel Gibson when he can hear women’s voices.  I was walking around in Boots and I could literally hear everyone and everything!  It’s hard to put into words the dramatic improvement the aids made.  For the first time in years I felt back to normal.  My friends have all noticed that I join in more group conversations whereas before I would only ever speak to the people sitting directly next to me.  They also told me how frustrating it used to be trying to talk to me at times.  I still can’t believe I struggled on for as long as I did.”

Carol Carbine, Wales

THEY ARE PROBABLY THE BEST HEARING AIDS I’VE WORN

Carol Carbine, aged 43, is a manager with a national charity and has been wearing hearing aids for 15 years. She was fitted with ReSound Azure digital hearing aids. Carol was delighted with her hearing aids; “They are probably the best aids that I have worn to date. The quality of sound is really good; it’s really clear and I am very happy with it.  I don’t need to switch programmes as much as I used to with my other aids; I use one programme pretty much all the time now.  They are easy to use and therefore easy to forget about.  I love the Bluetooth as well.  The flexibility it gives to someone in my position is great.
I would definitely say to someone in my situation  - try them”.

Carol wrote a diary over 13 weeks as she adjusted to using her new hearing aids. Below are just a few extracts of her journey to better hearing.

Monday - day 1
A sense of excitement and anticipation – I’m having my fitting of new Azure hearing aids.  Decided to try the thin tube instant fit moulds – the aids come with carry case and cleaning rod etc, which is really helpful as these are the things you need and they can easily get lost or damaged in the bottom of a handbag. As expected the world now seems very loud, as I had been warned. I wore them for most of the day.

Wednesday – day 3
Very tired last night, it’s been a bit of an emotional roller coaster, which is to be expected at this stage.  Trying to learn to adjust to new hearing aids and function at normal level is a big challenge. I’m also trying to resist the temptation to go back to my old aids, as I know this will only confuse my brain and lengthen the process.

Thursday – day 4
One-to-one meeting today, in a meeting room with no background noise and a reasonably clear/confident speaker, a positive experience and I coped well.

Saturday - day 6
Group conversation indoors over lunch – I coped pretty well; however the person on my right was a bit too loud, although everyone else in the group was ok.

Sunday - day 7
Day of rest for me and my brain - no hearing aids all day!

Monday – day 8
Went to the Travel Agent today and managed well in the one-to-one discussions and even managed to follow when someone was walking away from me – great progress!

Thursday - day 11
Went to see my Optician today, he has quite a low voice, which can be a problem for me, but I coped well in his nice, quiet consulting room. Wow – I can comfortably listen to the radio and was even able to turn the volume down!

Tuesday - day 16
Small group meeting today, I had to park some distance away and walk along busy road.  The wind noise walking along road is much improved when using programme 2 on my hearing aid. I can still hear it, but it is much softer and more bearable.

Summary
On the whole I like the Azure hearing aids, the size style and weight are modern, attractive to look at and easy to wear. I think the quality of the sound and the clarity is far better than my previous aids and would certainly recommend them to other people.  

Cecilia Lilley, Llanfairfechan

Fantastic - I can hear the birds singing again!

Cecilia Lilley, from Llanfairfechan, first started to notice her hearing was fading when she began having trouble hearing the phone when it rang and had to keep turning the TV volume up just so she could hear it.

Cecilia says, “I joined lip reading classes, which helped me a little, but conversations still required a lot of guesswork.”

Cecilia was put off by the NHS waiting lists, and the basic selection of hearing aids available; she struggled on with her hearing loss for many years. It wasn’t until recently, when Cecilia learnt that her local David Ormerod Hearing Centre in Llandudno offered free hearing tests and advice about modern hearing instruments that she decided to seek help.

Cecilia continues “When I went for my hearing test I found the hearing aid audiologist friendly and reassuring and I was made to feel very comfortable throughout my assessment.”

After talking through her options with her hearing aid audiologist, Cecilia decided upon a pair of Audéo digital hearing aids, which she found were not only small and stylish, but also incredibly comfortable. In fact, they’re so small and light she’s hardly aware that she’s wearing them.

Since being fitted with her hearing aids Cecilia has never looked back. As a nature lover she now realises just how much she has been missing everyday sounds that most people take for granted – the simple things like birds singing, a flowing river or walking through rustling, autumn leaves.