“I have been wearing hearing aids since I was 2 or 3 (40 odd years ago) and the first ones I wore had 2 wires coming from my ears into a box that hung around my neck. Thankfully technology has come a long, long way since then! I then had behind-the-ear hearing aids and then progressed to, arguably more discreet, in-the-ear hearing aids.
I met Rob a few years ago when he fitted me with in-the-ear Phonak hearing aids. These were good but I did feel that I missed out on some conversations. For example, at work, colleagues would speak to me quietly in private and I had to strain to hear to them. I also struggled at noisy social events with lots of background noise. I love music and I’d see people on the bus or train listening to their iPods or phones and I felt I was missing out on something that normal hearing people take for granted. I decided to buy some good quality over the ear headphones but I could hear an annoying feedback (whistling) and to be honest, I felt a bit silly wearing them.
So, after some research, I realised the only way to be able to enjoy the things that other people do was to upgrade my hearing aids with Bluetooth. I made an appointment with Rob and after discussing my priorities and the type of phone I have (Android), he advised the best ones for me would be Oticon Opn 1 and that I could have a no-obligation free trial.
Rob ordered them in the colour of my choice (silver), and my first impression when I saw them for the first time was how tiny in comparison to my old NHS hearing aids they were. They fitted comfortably and looked very discreet. As anyone who wears hearing aids know, putting in new aids is always daunting and it takes a while to get used to them. These were no different.
After a couple of days, I realised that I was hearing voices better and not asking people to repeat themselves nearly as much, if at all. My old hearing aids didn’t have a volume control and what I love about these is that if someone is talking to me quietly, all I do is turn them up a notch, sit back and listen to every word without straining or nodding and pretending that I can hear them.
I also have a guide dog, Jumble, and at weekends I take her for a run in the park. I find it difficult to keep an eye on her running about everywhere but with these hearing aids in, I can now for the first time hear her collar rattling which is very reassuring. I am now able to hear sounds from all directions which makes me feel more confident and safer, particularly when Jumble is off the lead in the park or when she is working and guiding me through a busy city centre.
Whilst these hearing aids are made for iPhone, it is possible to stream music and make calls using the ConnectClip and an Android phone. Listening to music directly into my ears, with no one else knowing, is awesome (sorry boss!). If I’m listening to music and a call comes through, the call takes priority and being able to hear the caller directly into my hearing aids is so much easier as I don’t have background noise to contend with.
All in all my experience with the Oticon Opn 1 so far has definitely improved my life and I’m looking forward to discovering the other amazing functions they have to offer.
I have used several private hearing aid dispensers in the past and I am so glad to have found Rob. He has taken the time to get to know me and my family and the service and, just as importantly, the after-care, have been second to none. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending RJD Hearing Care to anyone who has concerns about their hearing or are in need of new hearing aids.
Thanks Rob!”