Hear what our clients have to say about AudioClinic
At AudioClinic we love to read about how we’ve helped improve our clients way of life. Below are a collection of testimonials that will hopefully provide inspiration for those who live with hearing loss and need to address it.
Tell us your story here.
Harry M Miller
Harry M Miller is one of Australia’s most recognised entrepreneurs in celebrity management and major theatre products.
Click on the video opposite to see what Harry says about his hearing problems and how he’s over come them.
Garry McDonald
Garry McDonald is one of Australia’s legendary actors and performers appearing on television, film and on stage.
Click on the video opposite to find out about how visiting AudioClinic changed Garry’s life.
Road trip to better hearing
Joan English's hearing had been getting worse gradually over a year or more, but it was going on a road trip with some good friends that made her realise she had to do something about it.
My lack of decent hearing affected me in all sorts of ways. In the office, which was open plan, if people were sitting behind me or away a little bit, I couldn't hear them. I didn't have a clue. So I'd have to turn around all the time, or get them to walk around to me, so it was really embarrassing.
I went on a road trip with some really good friends a year or so ago, friends I'd been on road trips with before, and I got really sick of saying, 'What was that?', 'Pardon?', 'Can you repeat that?'. It was terrible.
But they were good friends so they just told me to get a hearing test! Between that and seeing my family getting increasingly frustrated with me, I thought I'd better take their advice.
Going to AudioClinic, I was nervous. I didn't know the hearing aids were going to look as neat as this, so that was a big relief. And everyone there was fantastic. The clinician I saw was really patient - she was amazing and she didn't make me feel ancient or inadequate or anything!
Now I've had the hearing aids for three or four months, they're just great. Conversation is so much easier. In fact, my friends tell me how much more relaxed I look now... I guess because I'm not straining to hear or worrying about what I've missed.
I've also got the ConnectLine system, which wirelessly connects my hearing aids to my mobile phone, home phone and TV. It's so handy, I can use the phone safely in the car, which makes things so much easier, and watching television is great because you can hear it perfectly but you can still hear other things, so you can chat to someone or still be aware of other things going on.
Another thing that's great is when you're on hold on the phone at home. Because it's hands free, you can just get on with other stuff while you're waiting for a person to talk to you.
Tim Bowden's Back-Chat
Former ABC presenter and well-known author, Tim Bowden, has been wearing hearing aids since his early 50s.
"I have what's called 'moderate-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss', particularly in my high frequencies. It was probably caused from all the hours I spent on the rifle range in the school cadets and then doing national service in the Australian Army."
I started with analogue hearing aids and of course found them a great help. But I can tell you, things have not got better with my hearing, only worse! What has improved, though, is the sensational developments in hearing technologies.
Recently, I graduated from digital 'Epoq' hearing instruments to 'Agil', with great results. These clever new digital computers (which is what they are) behind my ears can work out whether someone is speaking to me, say, from the left in a noisy cafe. They then reduce the noise in my right ear and boost the speech in my left, so I can now hear more clearly in noisy restaurants and in the car.
I've also got 'ConnectLine' so I can have the sound from my TV or MP3 player streamed directly to my ears. It's incredibly clear and rich.
Hearing loss - what's that? The 'Agils' have given back what sounds to me like normal hearing. In fact because of this clever technology, I think I do better in noisy places than non-hearing impaired people!"
A crying baby is the best noise of all
For Nick Doyle, who has lived with deafness all his life, a chance encounter at a party has lead to a significant improvement in his hearing. In fact, he is now confident enough to put his baby daughter to sleep in another room because he knows he'll be able to hear if she's crying.
Mr Doyle was born profoundly deaf, possibly due to a bout of Rubella (German Measles) his mother suffered during pregnancy. A combination of special schooling early in life and speech pathology enabled Mr Doyle to develop good speech skills and, with the help of lip-reading, communicate quite effectively.
"I grew up in the UK and the support services there were quite good. I had a hearing aid from about the age of three - it was this big contraption that had to be strapped to my chest - and the teachers had a microphone linked to it, so that helped," said Mr Doyle.
It is testament to Mr Doyle's determination to succeed that he went on to higher studies and became a qualified accountant, working in corporate finance both in the UK and now in Australia. This is an outstanding achievement considering studies by The Better Hearing Institute (US) show that income is significantly related to both hearing loss and hearing aid usage.
While he benefitted from improvements in hearing aids over the years, his hearing remained extremely limited. Then, at a party one night, Mr Doyle got talking to someone who was convinced the latest digital hearing aids were worth trying.
"I had tried some of the newer hearing aids before, so I was a bit sceptical," admits Mr Doyle, "but the clinician at AudioClinic that looked after me was fantastic. She let me try a couple of different things and over a period of a few weeks fine-tuned them."
"It really has made a big difference," said Mr Doyle.
"There's no doubt that the best thing is being able to hear my baby more. And it's not just the good sounds, the giggling and cooing. If my wife wasn't home, I would have been getting up to check her every two minutes before I got these hearing aids. Now I know I can hear her if she's crying or upset - I'm sure anyone who's had kids can understand what a huge thing that is," said Mr Doyle.
More client testimonials
In my 'previous' life, before retiring, I was a teacher. I loved 'busy noise' in my classroom with children working. Then it occurred to me, I couldn't really hear the children in the back of the room. When I couldn't hear my grandchildren speaking to me from the back of the car, I realised I needed to get my hearing checked! After wearing hearing aids for 6 years now, I can hear the children, hear the clock ticking and the door bell ringing.
I didn't realise what a difference this made to my life until I take the hearing aids out at night. Then, I fully realise what a world of silence I had been existing in. I still don’t like crowded rooms withbackground noise, but I know that I do not suffer from selective hearing as my husband has always called my deafness.
Thanks to AudioClinic for making my life better.
Mrs. Beverly Scott (ACT)
As a 95 year old, I have had hearing aids for many years. When I got my first hearing aids, they were ofcourse tailored to my needs at that time. However, as I aged, my hearing deteriorated and progressively I lost hearing ability. It resulted in me missing out or not hearing a lot of conversations directed to me. Family and friends needed to repeat things numerours times before I understood or in some instances they had to speak so loudly as to be inconvenient for all concerned. I eventually agreed to investing in new hearing aids and can now enjoy conversations I would not have been able to hear previously. Finally, my family and friends don’t have to speak loudly which means we can all enjoy each others company.
Thank you AudioClinic.
Mrs. Mary Kirkpatrick (WA)
My hearing was damaged during childbirth with my first daughter.
I was told that my hearing would get progressively worse. I had the option of an operation but was told that there were no guarantees that my hearing would get better – it could have even resulted in deafness.
Having the hearing aids fitted has changed my life.
Diana McMaster (NSW)
With my new digital hearing aids, I can keep up a conversation, which is so much more enjoyable. My colleagues have noticed the difference at work.
I feel younger and more in touch than I have for years!
Stuart Riley (VIC)
I began singing as a hobby over 10 years ago, and went on to win several competitions. Suddenly, I got a virus in my ear causing me to develop tinnitus and lose most of my hearing.
I had to give up my passion for singing as I could no longer hear music or my own voice. I was embarrassed that I couldn't hold a conversation with people anymore.
Then I saw an ad in my local newspaper about free hearing test at AudioClinic, so I made an appointment. I had a test and was fitted with hearing aids.
The lovely clinician turned on my hearing aids and spoke to me. I couldn't believe I could hear her so clearly. I talked back to her and I could hear my own voice. I was amazed.
As I walked out of the clinic, I could hear the birds singing and traffic passing nearby, sounds which I hadn't heard for over 10 years!
As I drove back home, I started to sing. I could hear the music on the radio and the sound of my own voice again. It felt so different, I cried.
I now have my confidence back and am actively singing and taking part in life again!
William Venn (NSW)
I only realised the full extent of my hearing loss when I started in a new job. I was having difficulty with not only normal conversations, but particularly with answering the phone.
Even though I was told many years ago that hearing aids would not help with my particular problem, my GP referred me to AudioClinic.
I was surprised to be told that hearing aids would greatly assist my hearing.
The staff at AudioClinic were very obliging in helping me choose the right the type of hearing aid for my needs, and giving me general advice on how to use them.
My hearing aids have made a big difference to my working environment and to my life generally. I can converse with people confidently, and actually hear what a movie is about rather than just watching the pictures!
I would recommend hearing aids to anyone suffering hearing loss, as they really do make a difference to your life.
Christine Brunsdon (NSW)
Being a farmer my hearing has been deteriorating for years, but I have avoided hearing aids until now.
The staff at AudioClinic provided great service and attention to my specific needs.
The difference hearing aids have made to my life is great.
John (NSW)
From the moment I met your clinician, I felt happy and comfortable. She went to no end of trouble to ensure that I understood all that was going on and to facilitate hands on experience.
Now I am the satisfied owner of a very compact andamazingly sensitive little set of hearing aids. They sit, fairly inconspicuously, beneath my hairline & the little moulds fit snugly into my ears.
I am amazed at the clarity of diction and sound. They make life so much easier.
Estelle Goldburg (QLD)
From the moment I met your clinician, I felt happy and comfortable. She went to no end of trouble to ensure that I understood all that was going on and to facilitate hands on experience.
Now I am the satisfied owner of a very compact and amazingly sensitive little set of hearing aids. They sit, fairly inconspicuously, beneath my hairline & the little moulds fit snugly into my ears.
I am amazed at the clarity of diction and sound. They make life so much easier.
Estelle Goldburg (QLD)
Going out with family and friends was becoming less enjoyable and talking on the telephone could be a nightmare as I found it hard to distinguish some peoples' conversation. I was turning the TV and radio to very high levels, annoying people around me. I deferred having a hearing check as I hated the idea of wearing what I thought would be an obtrusive hearing aid. But I find that the hearing aid I wear is very comfortable and completely unobtrusive. My life has improved enormously since I first visited AudioClinic.
Margaret McDermid (ACT)
My hearing has never been a problem until I joined a Women's Group. I would think that the guest speakers at our luncheons had no idea how to use the micro-phones provided. They spoke in a low voice, poor communication and dropped voice at every sentence. When I mentioned this to my friends, they said they had no problems. I decided to sit closer to the speaker's stand so I could hear better. But reluctantly, I had to admit that I have a hearing problem and sought out the aid of "AudioClinic". Now, I have the necessary "aids" and don't have to as "I beg your pardon...". Thank you - AudioClinic.
Elizabeth White (NSW)
