"Audiology have brought great sounds to my Life."

In my 60s my hearing was so bad and I was referred to Monklands Hospital Airdrie for tests which resulted in me being being issued with Hearing Aids. They worked well at the time and through time I had moulds added to the aids mainly because I had removed my hearing aids prior to going for a shower and unbeknown to me that a Gromit had been left in my right ear. After drying myself I cleaned my ears with cotton buds and must have pushed the Gromit right into my ear.

When about to put my hearing aids back into my ears I saw that a Gromit was missing. Searched everywhere for it couldn't find it and ended up at A&E Monklands who got a Doctor from the ENT to extract it. That is why I changed to Moulds. The change to Moulds made me hear a lot better. Certain it was around 7 years ago that happened.

I have always found the Audiology Staff right friendly and even during covid I learned how to replace tubes on hearing aids as we all mucked in to assist.

Through time my hearing deteriorated and I even enrolled in a lip reading class but came to the opinion after 6 weeks that I was far to old to learn the skill.

About 6 months plus ago one of my mould broke and I attended Cumbernauld to have it replaced. They gave me an appointment for when it would be ready and I'm sad to say I forgot about the appointment and left the system which is very efficient down. It took me a while to get over my embarrassment  and I eventually phoned and got an appointment for Airdrie Health Centre they replaced my tubes for me and said that my replacement mould was at Cumbernauld. They discovered that the other mould was broken. They went out of their way and did a cast there and then to save another appointment. I explained that I wasn't hearing very well at all. The gave me an appointment to attend at Teresa, Audiologist's clinic in early May 2024.

I attended the appointment whereby I was taken into the work station. At that time communication between myself and Teresa was poor due to my deafness. I usually take my daughter with me to all hospital appointments but she was not available so I was flying solo. Teresa took her time explaining things to me and I was soon on her wave length.

She examined my two hearing aids which were faulty. I watched on as she fitted the two hearing aids with the new moulds, one she had at her station and one I fitted myself when posted to me from Airdrie. She then did the hearing tests with the buzzers which I followed well after an efficient explanation in a manner I could understand. She kept reassuring me that I was doing well in the tests which was good for me to know I was getting it right. 

After completing the tests Teresa informed me that was my first retest in seven years and my needs had changed. Teresa then asked me what additions I wanted in the programming of the units. I asked for The Loop and informed her at a recent Funeral a few months back I had heard the Ministers words for the first time ever. She also asked it I wanted them to be controlled from one ear the right unit. I said yes. She then set about updating the programmes into the units.

I was then given a practical at putting the batteries into the aids. I struggled to start with and patience Teresa had plenty. She took me through the instructions on how to adjust the programmes and volumes making me do it myself. I found this very rewarding as I had recently purchased a set of ear buds to listen to my music on my computer. I now know how to use them properly now as well.

The time came to assess the new units and couldn't believe the change in my hearing. I am ever so grateful to the NHS staff whom I support always. I'm writing this email to let you know what a great member of staff Teresa is as well as all your other staff. A great pressure has been lifted off my shoulders as hearing again will make me more independent in my life again. Teresa was a great representative of the NHS service and went out of her way to make my visit a good experience.

Prior to my new units I listened to the TV at volume 25 with my wife telling me to turn it down and I couldn't make the speaking out at that volume. I can now listen to the TV at volume 3 with the wife telling me to turn the TV up. My hearing is complete once more and I can take part in conversations without asking my wife what they are saying. I had became a recluse avoiding company at nights out with people thinking I was stuck up. That is all behind me.

There is a downside, I hear doors and floorboards squeaking and creaking. Know it's raining outside, hear when my dinner is ready. Please pass on my thanks to Teresa and all your other first class staff. Myself and my full family cannot thank you all enough.