Mr Malcom Doubleday describes his new hearing aids in one word, that is ‘Brilliant.’
For Mr Doubleday, receiving a pair of Oticon Intent 1 hearing aids has brought a welcome change to everyday life. Conversations sound clearer, social occasions feel enjoyable again, and the television no longer needs to fill the room with sound. And most importantly, he feels very involved in everyday life again.
A life serving with the Grenadier Guards
Mr Doubleday served in the Army with the Grenadier Guards and worked as a member of the Centurion and Chieftain tank crews. His life inside a tank exposed him to intense levels of noise. The main armament generated immense sound inside the enclosed space of a locked-down tank turret. At this time, Mr Doubleday worked in these conditions without hearing protection, and now, years later, the effects of this noise exposure became part of his daily life.
Living with service-related hearing loss
Hearing loss affected far more than Mr Doubleday’s ability to hear individual sounds; following conversations became hard for him, especially during social occasions that involved several people speaking at once. Misunderstandings happened often; he sometimes missed danger signals or warning sounds, while the television and radio needed to be turned up high enough for him to follow them.
Over time, these difficulties left him feeling isolated; being present in a room was not always the same as feeling part of what was happening around him. Mr Doubleday had previously received NHS hearing aids, but he found them uncomfortable to wear and unsuitable for his hearing needs. He needed another form of support, with hearing aids offering greater comfort and more personal control.
Hearing support through UK Veterans Hearing Foundation
At UK Veterans Hearing Foundation, we support former service personnel living with hearing problems linked to, or worsened by, their time in the Armed Forces. After his application, Mr Doubleday received funding from The Childwich Trust for a pair of hearing aids suited to his hearing needs and daily routine. He was supported by Homecare Hearing Ltd and fitted with a pair of Oticon Intent 1 hearing aids.
For Mr Doubleday, the difference was very clear from the beginning; his new hearing aids felt far more comfortable than his previous devices, making the regular wearing of the devices easier.
Clearer conversations and renewed confidence
One of the biggest changes has been Mr Doubleday’s experience in social environments. Before he received his new hearing aids, following group conversations often led to difficulty and misunderstandings. He was missing parts of a discussion that made joining harder and contributed to his feeling of being isolated.
He now hears conversations more clearly and feels involved once again. Instead of struggling to follow what others are saying, he participates with greater confidence and enjoys spending time with people around him. This renewed bond and connection is one of the most meaningful outcomes of his hearing support. Better hearing has helped Mr Doubleday return to conversations, relationships and shared moments which previously felt out of his reach.
Greater control in different environments
Mr Doubleday particularly enjoys having access to volume control; different places bring different listening challenges. A quiet room, busy social gatherings and outdoor settings have their own mix of voices and background sounds. Being able to adjust the volume gives him more control over his hearing in each environment.
Rather than relying on one fixed setting, he adjusts his hearing aids according to where he is and what he wants to hear. This sense of control has helped Mr Doubleday feel more comfortable when moving between different listening situations.
Staying connected through his phone
Phone connectivity has also become an important part of Mr Doubleday’s experience; he enjoys connecting his hearing aids to his phone, giving him a more convenient way to hear calls and audio through his devices. This feature helps him stay connected while making his hearing aids part of his everyday routine.
Small changes like this often show the biggest difference; at home, Mr Doubleday now turns down the telly. Where volume once needed to be raised, he now follows programmes at a more comfortable level.
He says, ‘They are brilliant’!
Mr Doubleday’s feedback reflects how much his hearing has changed since receiving this support.
