For Stewart, hearing has always been essential to engaging fully with the world. But over time, he noticed that even top-of-the-range hearing aids from a high street chain were not giving him the clarity he needed.
“I purchased top-of-the-range Phonak Infinio Ultra Sphere hearing aids from a well-known high street provider. But no matter what adjustments we tried, I felt I wasn’t getting the full benefit. Speech in certain environments remained difficult to follow, and it was frustrating.”
Stewart first discovered Harley Street Hearing through HearingTracker, the world’s first truly independent resource for hearing aid customers, where Partner and Audiologist Matthew Allsop shares expert content.
Before seeking care, Stewart found that his hearing challenges were affecting his daily life.
“Even with my previous hearing aids, I struggled to hear speech clearly in certain environments. It made conversations tiring and left me feeling disconnected at times.”
At Harley Street Hearing, Stewart met audiologist Joyce Ho, who carried out a thorough assessment of both his hearing and his devices.
“During the appointment, I carefully inspected the hearing aids and quickly discovered that the devices had not been properly set up. The domes, the small tips that sit inside the ear canals, were too small, leaving them loose and unable to sit correctly. In addition, the acoustic settings were not properly configured, so the hearing aids were significantly under-amplifying sound. Mr Kingaby wasn’t receiving the level of support his hearing loss required.”
To correct this, Joyce programmed the devices using Real Ear Measurement (REM), a gold-standard verification procedure.
“REM measures how sound behaves inside an individual’s ear canal while the hearing aids are worn. By taking into account both the person’s hearing loss and the unique shape of their ear anatomy, we can precisely confirm that the hearing aids are delivering the correct amount of sound. Following these adjustments, Stewart immediately noticed a significant improvement in clarity and overall performance.”
Although Stewart had originally purchased his hearing aids from a high street provider, the improvements following his assessment made a clear difference. After taking some time to decide, he chose to continue his care at Harley Street Hearing, recognising the importance of specialist expertise and ongoing support. Given the suitability of the technology, the same hearing aid model was ordered through the clinic.
At his follow-up appointment, custom shells were added to improve comfort and retention, helping the devices sit more securely and optimising acoustic benefits.
“Adjusting to the hearing aids was straightforward,” Stewart recalls. “They were easy to use, and after just two months, I felt completely comfortable. The clarity they provide has transformed my everyday life.”
The impact on Stewart’s confidence and social life has been significant.
“I now feel much more connected in conversations, whether at home or out with friends. It’s reassuring to know that I can engage fully without straining to hear. This has restored a lot of confidence in my daily interactions.”
Joyce highlights the importance of ongoing hearing care:
“Hearing loss management should never be a one-stop-shop experience. Hearing can change over time, as can listening needs and lifestyle. Having an audiologist who understands that hearing care is a journey, and who has the expertise to carry out the necessary assessments and adjustments along the way, is crucial in achieving the best possible long-term outcomes.”
For those experiencing hearing difficulties but unsure about taking the first step, Stewart offers this advice:
“Go to Harley Street Hearing. They really understand how to make hearing aids work for you.”
Reflecting on his experience, Stewart is delighted with the outcome.
“The care and expertise at Harley Street Hearing have made a huge difference. It’s amazing how much clearer the world sounds now, and I feel more connected than ever.”
If you’d like to find out more about how we can assist with your hearing requirements please call us on 020 7486 1053 or complete our contact form.
