Hearing loss doesn’t arrive all at once, but it is something that builds quietly over the years, it is shaped by time spent in loud working environments, long periods of service and natural changes that come with age. Mr Albert Aung Htut, who is a Merchant Navy veteran, was facing difficulty in hearing clearly in daily life; conversations were harder to follow, phone calls were not always clear, and the background noise, traffic and busy places made it even more challenging to understand what was being said to him or what was happening around him.
Although Mr Aung Htut was already wearing NHS hearing aids, he was still finding it difficult to hear clearly enough, but with support from UK Veterans Hearing Foundation, funding from Childwick Trust and care from Homecare Hearing Ltd, he has now been fitted with Oticon hearing aids that are already making a meaningful difference.
A life of service in the Merchant Navy
Mr Aung Htut has served in the Merchant Navy as a seagoing marine engineer; his work involved spending long hours in the ship’s engine room, an environment where noise was part of everyday life. He described his duties as working four hours on and eight hours off, with much of his time spent around the constant sound and vibration of machinery.
Those who have served in noisy military or marine environments, the impact of hearing loss can stay with them long after their service has ended. This may begin as a small difficulty that can gradually affect the way conversations, confidence, and the simple everyday moments unfold that many people take for granted. These difficulties had become part of Mr Aung Htut’s daily life.
When hearing became harder
Hearing loss can affect much more than you think; it can make words sound unclear, especially in the presence of background noise or when someone is speaking from another room. Mr Aung Htut explained that he found it difficult to hear when someone spoke to him, he also struggled on the phone and when traffic noise was around him. Because they are a part of everyday life, these kinds of circumstances can feel frustrating; a simple conversation might become difficult, phone calls more exhausting, and it can be more difficult to hear the voice you need to hear in a crowded room or on a busy street.
Mr Aung Htut also experienced tinnitus and dizziness, which added more to the challenges he is already facing. He also shared that tinnitus in his ears can make him feel dizzy when he gets up from sitting or lying down. Then came the symptoms he described, which could affect his confidence when moving around, which meant he had to wear a pendant alarm for reassurance. This is why hearing support is not only about hearing sound more loudly. It is about helping someone feel more connected, more aware, and more confident in everyday life.
Support from his daughter and the UK Veterans Hearing Foundation
Mr Aung Htut’s daughter, Melanie, has helped him with his application to the UK Veterans Hearing Foundation. Family members of veterans often see the effects of hearing loss first. They notice the missed words, the repeated questions, the difficulty with phone calls and the way someone may begin to withdraw from conversations without meaning to. She helped ensure her father’s application was presented clearly, including the hearing challenges he was facing and their impact on his everyday life.
At the UK Veterans Hearing Foundation, we were able to step in and help Mr Aung Htut access the hearing support he needed. Our charity exists to support veterans who are living with hearing loss, helping them access hearing aids and care that can make everyday communication easier. Veterans like Mr Aung Htut, this support can be life-changing in a very personal way.
Fitted with Oticon hearing aids by Homecare Hearing Ltd.
Thanks to the generous funding from Childwick Trust, Mr Aung Htut was fitted with Oticon hearing aids by Homecare Hearing Ltd. As part of his care, Mr Aung Htut also had earwax removed. This helped support the fitting process and make sure his ears were ready for his new hearing aids. The fitting gave him access to hearing aids better suited to his needs, with the aim of helping him hear more clearly in everyday situations. Someone who has been missing clear, strong sound, this support meant he could begin to reconnect with the conversations and sounds around him. After his fitting, the feedback from the audiologist was simple and full of meaningful one:
“All going well, Chloe, he says they’re perfect! Nice and loud, which he’s been missing!”
This says everything for Mr Aung Htut, being able to hear sounds at the right level again can make daily life feel easier. It can help with conversations, phone calls and the everyday moments that bring people closer to those around them. When hearing loss has made life feel quieter or less clear, the right hearing support can bring back something deeply missed.
A thank you to Childwick Trust and Homecare Hearing Ltd.
UK Veterans Hearing Foundation would like to say a sincere thank you to Childwick Trust for making Mr Aung Htut’s hearing support possible. Their generous funding helped provide him with Oticon hearing aids and access to hearing care through Homecare Hearing Ltd.
We would also like to thank Homecare Hearing Ltd for fitting and supporting Mr Aung Htut with care and professionalism.
Stories like Mr Aung Htut’s show why veterans’ hearing support matters and how hearing loss can affect confidence, communication, and daily independence, but with the right help, veterans can reconnect with the people, places and sounds that matter most. UK Veterans Hearing Foundation is proud to have supported Mr Aung Htut on this part of his hearing journey, and we will do our best to continue looking after his hearing needs moving forward.
