TV presenter and radio DJ Mark Wright has teamed up with his dad, Mark Wright Senior, this World Hearing Day [3 March] to front a new campaign encouraging people to take action on their hearing loss – if not for themselves, for their loved ones.
Mark’s dad, Mark Senior, has recently had a hearing loss diagnosis and discovered that he requires hearing aids in both ears.
Mark Senior, or ‘Big Mark’ as he is affectionately known, admits he battled with hearing loss for years as he refused to face up to the fact he might need hearing aids. But after years of asking loved ones to repeat themselves and having years of the TV at high volumes, his son Mark and wife Carol encouraged him to book in for a simple test.
Mark Senior gave a set of hearing aids a go at his local Boots Hearingcare in Romford, and was amazed at how clearly he was able to hear Carol, as he exclaimed “you sound just like when we met,” which more than 40 years ago.
It was during this tender moment that he realised just how much he had been missing out on day to day. Since being fitted with hearing aids, Mark Senior told the Mirror exclusively that it has been “life-changing”.
“I had been living in denial about how bad my hearing loss was,” he said. “It was a gradual process and I knew I was struggling to hear as well as I used to, but I didn’t think it was too bad. But when I put the hearing aids in, everything sounded so crisp and clear. I couldn’t believe how much I’d been missing out on.”
Sadly, his impressions of hearing aids was half the reason he delayed a test, feeling like they were for ‘old’ people.
“At first, I thought hearing aids were those big, clunky things that older people wore. I didn’t realise how discreet and high-tech they’ve become. The idea of wearing them made me feel like I was getting old, and I didn’t want to admit I had a problem. It was easier to just ignore it, but deep down, I knew I was struggling.
“I was in denial because I thought I was getting by okay. You don’t notice it happening because it’s so gradual, and you just adapt—turning the TV up, asking people to repeat things, lip-reading without even realising. But when I finally put the hearing aids in, I was shocked. I told Carol, ‘You sound just like when we first met,’ and that moment really hit me. I had been missing out on so much without even realising it.”
Boots Hearingcare’s Do it For Them campaign aims to encourage individuals who may be in a similar situation to book a free hearing test – not just for their own benefit, but for the sake of their loved ones. Whether it’s for a partner, family, or even a pet, the campaign shines a light on how much unaddressed hearing loss can impact the relationship with the most important people in our lives day to day.
Mark [junior] added that sometimes all it takes it’s a simple chat. “ If you think one of your family members is struggling to hear, have a chat with them about it. Let them know you’re there to support them as it can be a big thing to admit. Even if they end up hearing five or ten percent better, it’s going to improve their life.”
And for a dad and son who love the footy, it’s a win all-round. “I’m just pleased that my dad has done something about it as it’s started to really enhance his life. We often go to the pub together and watch football, and I’ve noticed how much better he can hear me when we’re chatting about the game, especially when there is background noise. I’m chuffed for him that he took this step.
“One moment that really stood out was when we’d be watching football together in the pub, and I’d be chatting to him about the game, but he’d constantly be asking me to repeat myself. The background noise would make it even harder for him, and I could tell he was missing big chunks of the conversation. It was frustrating at times, but mostly, it just made me feel bad for him.”
When asked if Mark worries that the condition could be hereditary he says that his dad’s awareness has helped him prepare.
“Hearing loss is something I’m definitely more aware of now, especially seeing how much my dad struggled over the years without realising just how bad it had gotten. It does make me think about whether it could be hereditary, and if I ever notice changes in my own hearing, I’ll take action much sooner than he did. After seeing the difference it has made for him, I wouldn’t wait ten years like he did!”
Eighteen million people are living with hearing loss in the UK – that’s one in three of the adult population. Three million have an untreated hearing loss and research shows it takes on average ten years for people to get tested from when they notice they have a hearing loss – highlighting the stigma that still exists around hearing loss and the use of hearing aids.
Research by Boots Hearingcare shows that living with an untreated hearing loss can significantly impact a person’s wellbeing. Often, when people have been struggling to hear for a while, life can become exhausting so they start to withdraw or stop socialising altogether, affecting mental health.
Almost half of hearing aid users said they stopped socialising with friends when they were struggling to hear, while 43% admitted putting off booking a hearing test as they were ‘living in denial’. Incredibly, three quarters agreed that hearing loss and the use of hearing aids still comes with a stigma attached (74%).
Embarrassment or shame, or a perception that a hearing aid will make them look old are cited as the main reasons people put off a test and it’s not uncommon for people to use coping mechanisms such as lip reading or leaning into conversations with their ‘good ear’ as ways to cope.
Maddie Maliszewska, an audiologist from Boots Hearingcare, said that it’s very common to have an ‘initial reluctance’ when having your hearing checked due to the stigma associated to hearing aids. Most won’t realise that new high tech versions act similar to ear pods, allowing you to music and connect to your phone.
“Hearing aids now are a far cry from the beige banana style devices that our grandparents used to wear,” she said. “The majority are very discreet and high-tech – you can even link them up with your smartphones via Bluetooth so you can use them to make phone calls and listen to music.
“For those who have been struggling with hearing loss, hearing aids can significantly enhance your life, as you begin to hear the sounds you forgot you knew. We would advise anyone who is struggling to make their hearing a priority this new year and book in for a test. You’ll be amazed at how much more exciting life can be when you are able to hear well.”
If you’re struggling with a hearing condition, visit your GP or an audiologist for more information. If you are aged over 50, you can book your free hearing test at www.bootshearingcare.com.