"The difference between living without hearing aids and living with them represents a significant improvement in the quality of my life"
A 65-year-old consultant with one year of hearing aid experience. Niels has children and enjoys a very active outdoor and social life.
"My wife triggered it of course. She thought that I was turning up the TV too loud. It was then realised that sooner or later I would need a hearing aid. Personally, I think it’s best to get one at the earliest opportunity instead of waiting until turning 80 and then suddenly have to get used to it. When I’m at a party or with a larger group of people, it works perfectly. So now I’m able to keep up with everything."
"I’ve stopped saying “Excuse me”, and now I can have a normal conversation, so I don’t have any problems at all. I’m also comfortable wearing the hearing aid now; sometimes I almost walk into the shower with it on, because I’ve forgotten I’m wearing it at all. But I really notice when I’m not wearing it. Right now I hear my own voice, but it doesn’t feel any different. It’s the same as always."
"The way people react to the fact that I’m wearing a hearing aid without having experienced any inconvenience, surprises me. They tell me about friends who have so many problems with their hearing aids ringing and making other noises that in the end it becomes unbearable. But I haven’t had any problems whatsoever, probably because the technology has progressed so much."
"In traffic everything has changed. I have better awareness of other vehicles - especially if the weather is humid. The sound level is higher now, and whilst this was surprising at first, I’ve become used to it and am more comfortable knowing where the sounds are coming from. When I go for my morning run I can hear all the sounds and noises around me, such as birds twittering in the trees. I can also hear the traffic if I have to cross a road. For me, the difference between living with hearing aids and living without them represents a significant improvement in the quality of my life."