“The Open Week was a fantastic opportunity”
In April, our new client Mario Caretti was fitted with Oticon More rechargeable aids. He was so delighted with the aids, and his experience at Help in Hearing, that he asked if he could share his hearing story. Here he talks to our Practice Manager Gilly.
At the top of Mario’s list of life passions is diving and he has even dived with sharks in Cuba! 50 years ago, an error of judgement saw him surfacing too quickly and perforating his left eardrum. Unfortunately, the resultant hearing loss in that ear was further exacerbated by a career in the aircraft industry, without noise protection, which ultimately affected both his ears.
Mario, who grew up in Rome, has been married to Rhona for 52 years. She explains that her husband’s hearing problems had been noticeable for a very long time. She says: “We had so many conversations when we thought we had understood each other, but often realised we were completely talking at cross purposes!”
A chance to trial hearing aids
Ten years ago, Rhona encouraged Mario to go to the NHS. He tried wearing aids but gave up very quickly as he says he struggled all the time with feedback. Inevitably as time passed his hearing deteriorated. However, in the meantime Rhona also noticed she had a hearing problem and decided to visit Help in Hearing in Farnham Common, where she discovered that wax was the problem. She was delighted when microsuction immediately resolved her issues and she could very quickly hear again. After this experience, she suggested Mario pay us a visit, particularly as we had just announced a special Open Week offering a free hearing aid trial.
“The Open Week trial was a fantastic opportunity”, said Rhona. “I think Mario only booked the appointment to keep me happy, but the results were immediate! We are both so pleased he decided to see Help in Hearing and our audiologist Wendy Davies was tremendous. She was so supportive and helpful. Our conversation at home has been transformed! It feels almost normal, and we don’t have to keep saying sorry all the time.”
Mario & Rhona on holiday in Tenerife three years ago
Forget Vanity, enjoy being able to hear!
Mario, who is very unassuming and down to earth, further comments: “If I didn’t like them, I wouldn’t wear them! I wear them all day and I can’t believe what I was missing. I feel more involved now. I also didn’t realise certain things in the house made noises, such the telephone answer machine which apparently beeps at you when someone leaves a message! I would recommend hearing aids like these to anyone who has a problem. Forget vanity and enjoy being able to hear!”
The benefit of an independent
They say that their visits to Help in hearing have made such a difference. Mario and Rhona commented particularly on the care and attention they have been given by Wendy, which they say is the benefit of choosing an independent audiologist.
And finally...
It may cost a little more choosing to see an independent but as Mario says: “Chi piu spende meno spende!”– which directly translated from Italian means: “He who spends more at the end spends less!”
Thank you for sharing your story, Mario.
