Richard’s experience with us, over the last 9 years
04 November 2024
Hearing Aids
01.11.2024
From Richard Amende.
Hello, I’m Richard, a volunteer for the RSPB at St Aidan’s Nature Park, in the lower Aire valley, east of Leeds.
During the 1980s I spent several years working in very noisy situations, but it wasn’t until many years later I realised I was losing parts of conversations, especially when female radio news readers dropped their voice at the end of sentences, and more so if there was ambient noise around me such as the washing machine.
My GP referred me to Audiology at Pinderfields, where my hearing was tested, and NHS aids prescribed. After using them for a while, I was disappointed with their performance.
So I sought external help, but discovered that many supposedly “independent” providers were tied into offering aids from just one or two manufacturers.
Thankfully, further online searching revealed RJD Hearing Care based at Cleckheaton, 15 miles from my home.
I booked an appointment, this was in spring 2015, met Rob Donnan, and was very impressed by his depth and breadth of audiology knowledge, his relaxed, customer-focused approach, his more thorough carrying out of the hearing test, and his generous free trial system.
The test, which is carried out in a purpose-built booth, revealed that my hearing had a localised “dip”, or loss, but was otherwise OK. Rob selected a pair of Oticon aids which matched my loss/dip, fitted my budget and, once computer-matched to my needs, restored my hearing, fitted comfortably, and improved my self-confidence.
My free trial happened to coincide with Rob taking a holiday, so I had almost a month’s experience enjoying the clarity of sound with the aids.
At my review, Rob asked how I’d got on with the Oticons, my reply was that I hardly knew I was wearing them, they fitted really well, and were transforming my quality of life! Needless to say I bought them. My employment at the time was as an RSPB Membership Recruiter; being able to hear well was vital to having productive conversations.
Roll the clock forward several years, and I’ve retired, and now undertake a variety of volunteer roles at St Aidan’s, my nearest RSPB reserve. I’m part of the Wardens’ work party one day each week, we carry out habitat management tasks all across the site.
One day, whilst moving through an area of long, tough vegetation to access a fencing job, my right-hand aid got snagged, flicked out, and before I could react, it was hopelessly lost.
Thankfully my household & contents insurance largely covered the loss, and Rob supplied a pair of newer Oticons, they work even better, and run on rechargeable batteries, so are simply placed in a small charging dock unit overnight. (The older units used single-use batteries, changed every 5 or 6 days).
I’m really pleased with the thorough, friendly yet professional service I get from RJD, and highly recommend them.
The major advantage offered by RJD is that they are not tied to just one or two makes, but can select and recommend from the world market, matching the style, type, size, price bracket to each individual customer, their specific hearing needs, and their lifestyle.
RJD also provide routine checkups/reviews, and keep and can readily supply any “consumable” small parts for your aids (domes, filters, hooks, batteries), they showed me which parts require checking, cleaning, replacing and how to do it. Should any faults arise, a loan pair is provided free of charge, repairs are typically done under warranty. RJD also offer micro-suction removal of any build-up of wax in the ear canal. So an end-to-end service (or perhaps that should be ear-to-ear!)
Now retired, I carry out many voluntary roles for the RSPB and other charities. Being able to hear and communicate clearly enables me to enjoy engaging with visitors, and doing good work for nature, it also enables me to hear and identify more wildlife!
Richard
A very satisfied RJD customer.
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