At 92, Mr Geoffrey William Durward enjoys the calm of his home, a cheerful pink jumper brightening the room as he sits surrounded by photographs and quiet memories. Each picture tells a story, moments with loved ones, milestones long past, yet the soft silence in the background hints at a familiar challenge. His hearing, once sharp during his service years, has gradually faded over time.
From Service to Silence
Mr. Durward was born on October 30, 1932, and served in Germany while on his operational tour with the Light Infantry. Much of his early life was influenced by the event, but it also had a long-lasting effect. Many veterans of his era experienced long-term hearing impairment as a result of the frequent usage of the Lee Enfield 303 rifle during training and service.
He said that his hearing loss was “caused by frequent use of the Lee Enfield 303 rifle” to the UK Veterans Hearing Foundation (UKVHF). The emphasis was always on duty, and there wasn’t much protective gear available back then. Years passed before the effects of the continuous exposure to gunfire became clear.
Mr. Durward adapted to new habits away from the noise of training fields after re-entering the civilian world. However, he continued to suffer from the lingering effects of those years of service, a constant reminder of his time in uniform.
When Everyday Sounds Begin to Fade
As the years passed, conversations became harder to follow. The familiar cadence of everyday noises, such as phone conversations, café conversation, or the background hum of the outside world, began to fade. He sought assistance from the NHS in 1990 and had a hearing aid fitting. Initially, they provided some help, but over time, their clarity deteriorated further.
He noted that his hearing “deteriorates slowly, not a good range.” Understanding words became practically impossible due to background noise, and even basic phone calls were challenging. An added layer of exhaustion and annoyance was brought on by tinnitus, which is a persistent ringing in the ears.
Reaching Out for Specialised Support
Support came when Mr Durward turned to the UK Veterans Hearing Foundation. Our foundation is dedicated to helping veterans across the country who face hearing loss or tinnitus caused by their time in service. From our HQ in Hinckley, UKVHF works to ensure that veterans receive not just treatment, but genuine care and understanding.
Mr. Durward was an obvious candidate for help because of his military history and his experience with progressive hearing loss. Everything was set up with convenience in mind by the Foundation; his fitting and assessment were completed in the comfort of his own home, saving him time and avoiding a needless trip to the clinic.
The core values of UKVHF are centred on providing accessible, considerate, and kind care to former service members.
A New Chapter with Advanced Hearing Aids
The premium ReSound GN hearing aids, which provide one of the most cutting-edge listening experiences on the market today, were fitted to Mr. Durward in order to help him hear better.
ReSound GN is well-known throughout the world for creating innovative yet straightforward hearing technology. Their devices automatically adapt to changing environments, such as a quiet room or a bustling conversation, assist users in focusing on speech, and eliminate background noise. According to Mr. Durward, this technology has greatly simplified everyday communication, particularly in circumstances that were previously the most difficult, such as making phone calls or listening in noisy environments.
In addition to providing him with better sound quality, the new hearing aids have helped him feel more at ease and confident in his daily activities.
Supported at Every Step
We make sure that veterans are not left to manage their new hearing aids alone. Instead, they receive continued guidance, follow-ups, and adjustments as needed.
In Mr Durward’s case, Hear4U’s expert audiology team carried out his fittings and aftercare with care and patience. They eliminated the obstacles that frequently make clinic visits difficult for elderly veterans by offering appointments at their homes.
Every veteran assisted by UKVHF will be able to hear the world around them comfortably and clearly for years to come because of our individualised, hands-on approach.
Understanding the Broader Impact
Noise exposure was an inevitable part of military life for Mr Durward’s generation. The sounds of rifles, engines, and artillery were part of the daily routine, but they left a long-lasting impact. Today, conditions such as tinnitus and gradual hearing deterioration are widely recognised as common results of service-related noise exposure.
Stories such as Mr. Durward’s serve to emphasise our purpose. Even while every veteran’s experience is different, they all have the same needs: the need for ongoing respect and care long after their duty is over. When people who have served others need help the most, we make sure they don’t get it.
Partnership with Hear4U
In order to achieve the greatest outcomes, UKVHF collaborates closely with Hear4U, whose skilled audiologists offer veterans expert fittings, modifications, and continuing care. Together, we ensure that superior human care and cutting-edge technology are available to those who get hearing aids.
Giving veterans access to the best hearing aids and making their experience as easy and comfortable as possible are two goals that are reflected in our relationship.
Continuing Care and Gratitude
The journey of Mr Geoffrey Durward exemplifies the UK Veterans Hearing Foundation’s continued dedication to providing veterans across the UK with long-term hearing care. Once hearing aids are fitted, the Foundation’s work doesn’t stop, we continue to offer guidance, maintenance, and aftercare to ensure each veteran’s comfort and confidence.
Mr Durward’s experience highlights the power of compassionate and accessible home-based hearing support. Every sound he hears again and every conversation he follows is a quiet victory, a reminder that his service and the challenges that came with it have not been forgotten.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to The Eric Stanton Northampton Trust for funding Mr Durward’s hearing aid pathway. Their support made it possible for him to regain not just clearer hearing, but also a renewed sense of connection and independence.
