Write a commentThe Newry Specsavers hearcare team lead by hearing aid audiologist Ciara Donnan and hearcare assistant Gemma Pollock were in attendance at the recent Kilbroney Vintage Rally to encourage people to take a proactive approach to their hearing health.
The event drew thousands of people and the Specsavers team talked to visitors about hearing issues, gave out free ear plugs and invited anyone with concerns to book in for a free screening in the Newry store.
Ciara Donnan, who runs a hearcare clinic on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Buttercrane Centre based store, explains how debilitating even a minor degree of hearing loss can be.
She also urges people not to be embarrassed about coming forwar
‘Hearing loss in any form is challenging and can have a negative impact on your daily life and social interaction. Wearing hearing aids can make a huge difference to your daily life and the good news is that wearable technology is improving all the time and becoming even more sophisticated.
‘Losing our hearing can happen in various ways. It can be part of getting older. We can also cause permanent damage to our ears by exposure to very loud sounds.
‘Experts recommend a hearing check every two years for those over 55 and for anyone with hearing loss.’
Actress Sherrie Hewson is a hearing ambassador for Specsavers and once she had accepted there was an issue and started wearing hearing aids, there was no looking back.
The Coronation Street, Loose Women and Benidorm TV legend says ‘My hearing loss has been a gradual thing that I didn’t notice at first, but perhaps that’s because I was in denial. However, I knew there was something wrong when my granddaughter said to me, ‘Nana, why are you always shouting?’
‘When you wear hearing aids there is so much clarity in people’s voices and music. You realise that you don’t need the television or music so loud.
‘Once you get used to them, they’ll actually save your hearing a bit. Without them you’re forever stressing while trying to hear, but it’s a muffled sound that is not doing your hearing any good.’
Sherrie’s advice to anyone else struggling with their hearing is to get it checked:
‘Firstly, admit you have a problem. Then get tested by the experts and let them advise you on what would help. Just give it a go and remember it will be all right in the end.’
