Understanding the signs of hearing loss and supporting a loved one who is struggling with their hearing can be challenging in many ways. Often daily life and tasks and social activities can be affected.

At Gatwick Audiology we pride ourselves on our customer feedback and our personalised service approach to our patients which extends to the support of family members by offering resources and assisting with audiological care.

John’s Story

“I have always found Prince to be friendly, attentive, and analytical, and he produced results that were exceptional.” – John Mills

Former broadcaster, film, and TV programme maker, John Mills, 85, first developed a hearing impairment at 30-years-old after being exposed to very high noise levels when filming Formula One motor racing for the BBC, before suffering from a total hearing loss in his right ear in 1980 whilst in California where he was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma.

John who lives with his wife Tricia and has three children and five grandchildren has often struggled to keep up with conversations and has been aided in one ear for 50 years, was referred to Gatwick Audiology by a former Audiologist.

As is often the way when several things happen at once, following a nasty fall which resulted in hospitalisation, John’s hearing aid stopped working and his backup aid, which was old and damaged, also failed and left him totally deaf in his hospital bed over a weekend. Hospital staff had to communicate by writing everything down as they didn’t want to remove their face masks to enable him to lip-read.

John’s wife Tricia said: “Over the weekend I sent emails to Gatwick Audiology including one from John which read ‘Prince, desperate for your help. No hearing aid for my one ear. Real difficulty needs your support at any price,’ John explained later that anyone totally deprived of hearing would understand the complete sense of panic he felt over that weekend, which would be hard for anyone who had not experienced it to understand.

“Early the next morning I spoke to the team at Gatwick Audiology, and they very quickly came up with a solution which included setting up a new Phonak hearing aid along with detailed notes on how to pair it with his phone which was sent to the hospital with our daughter, Samantha. John described the experience as a dramatic story of hearing saved, from total cut off at the weekend to the restoration of communication.”

“We did require further help with pairing the hearing aid, so we appreciated receiving Nimisha’s help, when she very patiently talked me through it on the phone until we achieved success.”

“John is delighted with his new Phonak, and the really excellent outcome is that, now he can rely on his aid, he has stopped worrying about his hearing and started to concentrate on the physio he so badly needs.”

At Gatwick Audiology we understand how the hearing loss of a loved one can impact on those close to them and how the right hearing care can improve the quality of life of the hearing aid wearer.

“Anyone totally deprived of hearing would understand the complete sense of the panic he felt over that weekend, which would be hard for anyone who had not experienced it to understand.” – John Mills

Tricia said: “I found John’s hearing loss to be a very gradual process, much helped by John’s positive attitude throughout, especially when he totally lost his hearing in one ear as a result of his acoustic neuroma.”

“These days I have to make all his calls for him as he can no longer use the phone, and when we are out, I often have to interpret what other people have said and make sure the seating arrangements make it as easy as possible for him to hear our friends.”

“We no longer go to large gatherings and try to choose restaurants and other venues which do not echo too much. So, we have had to adapt to quite a large extent, but it has not prevented us from traveling, meeting friends, and generally enjoying life. One good effect of his hearing loss is that it has made his children and grandchildren learn to speak clearly!”

Speaking about his new Phonak hearing aid, John commented on how it provides a lovely clean, clear sound and is an absolute delight to listen to.

When asked about what advice he would give to someone else suffering a hearing loss, John, and Tricia, said: “Speaking to anyone who has yet to accept they have a hearing loss, we would explain that there is a huge amount of technology that can help as time goes on and which is advancing in an astounding way all the time. We would recommend that they seek help as soon as possible.”

Tricia added: “I would like to see further work on how to reduce the stigma which still surrounds hearing loss and the constant commercial promotion of hearing aids that no one can see as if hearing loss is something to be ashamed of!”