Tired of hearing aid hassles, Kelvin discovered a free online tool that gave him clarity, confidence – and control over his hearing journey.
Laughter, playful banter and light-hearted rebukes fill the sunny home of Kelvin and Jean Wilson – the sounds of a joyful retirement.
But it’s these everyday sounds of life that Kelvin fears he could soon miss out on, as his hearing declines.
Like so many couples, Jean will gently tease Kelvin about his “selective hearing” when her requests go unacknowledged. These days, Kelvin is the first to admit his occasional “selective hearing” is becoming more frequent.
It’s little wonder the former farmer and ‘top shot’ Army Reservist is battling when you learn of his years spent using a chainsaw and firing rifles, with no ear protection.
“My right ear is much worse than my left, and that’s because of the gun shots,” Kelvin said.
Years later, he began experiencing tinnitus (a ringing or buzzing in the ears) and struggled to understand speakers during business meetings and conferences.
“If I was at the back of the room, I just couldn’t grasp what they were saying because of the background noise,” Kelvin said. “Very annoying!”
He finally acted and sought hearing support but admits it’s been an, at times, unsatisfying journey.
On the recommendation of a clinician, Kelvin upgraded his government-subsidised hearing aids to ones with a hefty price tag. He now says he feels trapped by the process and cost of hearing aids – as do many of his friends – and is keen to explore his options, including new over the counter hearing aids.
Enter the game-changing Hearing Aid Simulator by PocketAid – a world-first, free digital tool that lets users experience the potential of hearing aids before purchasing, like taking a car for a test drive.
The tool allows users to enter their audiogram or choose from preset hearing loss levels – mild, moderate or severe. From there, you can explore 12 everyday listening challenges, like talking in the car, on the phone or watching TV.
Selecting a preset option, Kelvin was particularly keen to try the ‘Conversation at a Cafe’ scenario.
As someone who loves nothing more than catching up with friends at the local club, he’s finding background noise increasingly difficult to ‘tune out’ with his current hearing aids.
“You get very frustrated if you can’t join the conversation,” he said, “and other people get annoyed with you when you can’t hear what’s being said.”
“It’s so important for me to have good conversations, because it helps me mentally. It’s my health and happiness on the line.”
The simulator gave Kelvin a real-time demonstration of what his world sounds like with, and without, hearing aids. He exclaimed, “The difference in the quality from the start of the simulation to the end was out of this world!”
PocketAid CEO, Don Hudson, wants people to know that a clinic appointment isn’t the only way to seek hearing support.
“You can start exploring your hearing health today, on your own terms, from your own home,” Don said. “If our free Hearing Aid Simulator gives you that nudge, we’ll know we’re doing something right.”
“This will be the way of the future for people wanting to address their hearing loss,” Kelvin said. “I can do my research at home without having to worry about being persuaded to buy another expensive device. I’ve got full control.”
