Mike Hart

Seen here enjoying the sounds of the Robin in his garden, Mike entered this delightful photo into our “My Help in Hearing” photo competition, with this caption: “Our tame robin who calls for his ‘mealworm breakfast’ every day. I could never hear the sound before but now can”.

Four years ago, Mike was enjoying a game of golf and was surprised when his fellow golfer started raving about his fantastic new hearing aids. His friend was enthusing so much about the benefits of his new devices, in particular the ability to stream music directly into his ears, that within a few days Mike booked an appointment with the recommended audiologist, our very own Selma Becker.

Mike and his wife Julie met at confectionery conglomerate Mars, where they worked for 27 years. He says that the company’s approach to health and hearing was very progressive. He first noticed his hearing issues around 20 years ago, when he was retired in his mid-fifties. More people were noticing he was struggling to hear well enough, particularly Julie. So, he started his hearing aid journey, initially opting for the services of the NHS and then in 2017 he booked in with Help in Hearing.

When he was first fitted with aids at Help in Hearing, he was going to trial them for a month but within days decided he was never going to give them back! He said: “These aids have made such a difference to my life and to my wife Julie. People don’t realise how much their partners and family are putting up with. Julie would never allow me not to wear aids now!!!”

It has been quite a challenge for Selma in finding the right solution for Mike, due to anatomical reasons, as he has a very straight ear canal. Ever since he started wearing aids, they have tended to fall out, and he is astounded by the time Selma has spent in trying to overcome this, using both digital and manual methods to create a number of custom-made mould options.

Three years ago, Mike was diagnosed with Bowen’s disease in his left ear. This is a very early form of skin cancer, and his treatment plan has included excision, cryogenic therapy and topical chemo. One of the side effects of this is scarring, so Selma has to ensure that the aid does not impinge on this sensitive area as it can be very uncomfortable for him, and he does not want to risk a reoccurrence.

Debbie Perry, suggesting that loud music might be one of the reasons she developed chronic Tinnitus and reduced hearing in her early 20’s.

He believes that everyone should get their hearing checked as it has made such a difference to his life. He comments: “So many men I know can’t hear well, but they just won’t admit it, or do anything about it. Hearing aids today are amazing, and I can’t believe that vanity stops people from improving such an important part of their health. Like so many situations in life, the loss of hearing is so slow and assiduous that you don’t notice what you are missing.”

At his first visit to Help in Hearing he was staggered that his speech discrimination was so poor. Mike and Julie had a little giggle when they remembered his early tests and how wrong his interpretation of sound was! Selma chose Signia Pure Charge and Go as the right aids for Mike and when they were fitted, he couldn’t believe what he had been missing out on. He commented: “It was wonderful to hear classical guitar music properly again, as well as bird song and even the rustle of Julie turning the pages of her daily newspaper!”

When we interviewed him, Mike was very keen to praise Help in Hearing. “Service and after care is absolutely top notch. I don’t believe that Selma ever sells you an aid unless it is the right one for you. I see her so often and she really does go the extra mile. My issues are complicated, and she has never given up on me. She is always positive and will always try different options. I can’t thank her enough.”