Reviews

Growing up, I never really noticed much was different about my hearing, but I suffered from persistent ear infections. It almost became normal to me. I had multiple operations from a young age, culminating in skin grafts on both ear drums at the age of 21.

Thankfully it stopped the infections but did affect my hearing. I never felt as though I had much of a problem, but my friends and family became terribly frustrated with me. At the age of 26 I was offered aids on the NHS, which I accepted, and they did help. I had stopped going out to crowded places because I just couldn’t hear what was going on. I would ‘phase out’ into my own little world. I became adept at knowing when people wanted a response out of me, so I answered yes or laughed, even though I didn’t know what was being said.  The NHS aids did help but the sound quality wasn’t great, so I stopped wearing them if I had to go out, as they made everything too overwhelming and made hearing harder.

I persisted with them as best I could but was still relying on lipreading, trying to connect what I heard and saw; after a while I just gave up.

Until I came to Sonetik.

The staff are so passionate and knowledgeable about hearing loss that, for the first time, I didn’t feel alone in my loss. They understand what effect it has and assured me I am not the only one that gets frustrated.

I had a complex hearing loss so was referred to the Pro-hear scheme.  I was fitted with some behind the ear aids to try, as I was unsure if I wanted in the ear, so they would be more discrete. They fit so well and were so comfortable and you couldn’t see them, even if you were looking.

I could clearly hear people chatting in another room, whereas before I wouldn’t have even heard them, let alone the words that were being said. I was quiet for the first time in my life, just trying to adjust to the world around me. I cried because the printer made a noise - I just thought they were silent.

At home I could hear my family talking to me from upstairs, whereas I would have struggled to hear them at all before: they were amazed.  My clock ticks, my fridge hums and my husband breathes…. loudly!

It was frustrating at first, as I didn’t think I missed that much, especially with already having NHS aids, but I was missing a lot. My brain was relearning what normal background noise was. Now I barely notice, but I do notice - if I don’t have them in - quite how quiet the world is and quite how much I missed before.

My family and friends no longer raise their voices or must look at me whilst they speak, I can hear them. It really it a new world that I am now open to.

I have never made a better decision to improve my life than investing in my hearing. You wouldn’t think twice about getting your sight checked, so why not your hearing? I could not recommend it enough, if you are struggling, please get your hearing checked!!

You are not alone, it is not uncommon and the difference it might make to your life is priceless!!

Stacey Wells
Preston