Coldplay
Category: Testimonials
ALT-J-drummer Thom Green “I couldn’t have imagined how fantastic it would be”
We first met Alt-J when they came in for their on-stage in-ear-monitors. Our Clinical Director Paul noticed that drummer Thom was wearing just one 10-year-old NHS aid – its pair was broken – and spoke to him about how digital technology has moved hearing aids on. “I was blown away by how little I knew about new hearing aids,” says Thom.
Thom returned for a full hearing test where, with Paul’s advice, he opted for a binaural pair of Widex Clear 440s. A couple of weeks later, in-between band commitments and touring, Thom returned for his fitting, an experience that up until that point in his life, he could never have imagined.
“The fitting with Paul was great,” he says. “It was overwhelming. I knew that I’d be surprised and it would be amazing but I couldn’t have imagined how fantastic it would be. The levels of my new aids are so good. I’m aware of my voice; I can hear the sound of my pronunciation.”
Harrogate-born Thom was born with Alport Syndrome, a condition that results in hearing loss, kidney disease and can affect eye-sight.
Because of his profession and the sheer volume of touring the band was set to take on in the coming months and years, at their initial consultation Thom decided to opt for CICs as opposed to the BTEs he had been wearing. “When you’re touring, you sleep wherever you can and more often than not, that’s in the van. If you’re trying to sleep with your head leaning against a metal pole your hearing aids get in the way. It’s amazing to now have that whole freedom away from my ears.”
During the fitting, Paul was careful to caution Thom that everything might initially sound strange, especially as Thom had auditory deprivation, having not worn the pair to his aid for over a year. “In situations like this, it takes time to get used to the new sound,” explains Paul. “It will initially feel strange and a bit surreal because the brain is re-adjusting to binaural hearing, which affects balance.”
But Thom soon got used to his new aids and the band embarked on a summer of touring and playing festivals from Japan to Los Angeles, and all over Europe.
As well as being fitted with Widex Clear 440 CICs, Thom now has the Widex M-Dex, an assistive listening device for use with the mobile phone, which has also helped in his life as a member of a Mercury Prize-winning band. “I do a lot of promo and phone interviews,” he says. “The M-Dex makes such a difference. It’s so unique.”
Feel like your hearing has changed call 020 7486 1053 or complete below.
Zane Lowe
A few years back I became very aware of how much I was exposing myself to loud music.
However, as a DJ I was concerned about using earplugs and losing some of the feel of the room.
I have used these plugs now for 3 years and swear by them. It’s only when I take them out mid set that I realise how dangerous monitor levels can get. I do not DJ without them.
Rick Finlay – West End drummer
“The clarity and balance of my in-ear monitors make recording and practice much more fun and less tiring. I love ’em!”
Eric Hill – Playing and listening to music again
Playing and listening to music, especially the acoustic classical guitar, has been central to my life. After far too many years putting up with tinnitus, (a hissing radiator sound), and a habit of frequently asking people to repeat words, I conquered my professional musician, psychological barriers to wearing hearing aids and sought help.
I first tried the NHS and discovered that the free hearing aids made violins in particular sound like chalk scraping on a blackboard. A love of music was not made very important in the consultation; it was all about recognition of words. I decided to “go private” and came to Paul Checkley at Musicians’ Hearing Services.
I was fitted with a pair of extremely discrete Widex hearing aids and I played my guitar and listened to orchestral and jazz music as part of the computer “tuning” of the aids. This was in addition to an exhaustive analysis of my response to words.
The result has been wonderful, particularly as I have learned to control them using the remote wireless volume control. At the start of orchestral concerts I establish the loudest part, (usually the brass section), and adjust to that. I love starting the day by putting BBC Radio 3 on and hearing the music come alive as I put the aids in place. Without them it sounds as if it’s been smothered in cotton wool! Thank you Paul and Musicians’ Hearing Services.
Interested in hearing aids for musicians call 020 7486 1053 or complete below.
David Temple – Conductor
“Hearing loss for anyone can be hard to cope with but if you are conductor of music, it can be career threatening.
A couple of years ago, I acquired a hearing aid on the NHS which I was reasonably happy with but in the past year I have gone for a new ‘in-ear’ hearing aid from the North London Hearing clinic in Golders Green.
This has transformed my life and has restored my hearing to how it was when I was young man.
Not only is this brilliant in rehearsals and concerts but it makes a massive difference in recording sessions, where I can wear headphones as normal, without having to take my hearing aid in and out.
Regrets?….. the only one is that I didn’t do it 5 years earlier. It is not cheap but it improves your quality of life beyond words.”
Interested in hearing aids for musicians. Call 020 7486 1053 or complete below.
I can enjoy the beautiful sound of my Martin acoustic guitar again
I began playing electric guitar in my teens, and have been touring with my band, The Boomtown Rats, since 1974, which means my ears have been subjected to high volumes of sound for most of my life.
About four years ago, I became aware that I was finding it increasingly difficult to take part in group conversations. I couldn’t hear clearly what people were saying, and, rather than continuously asking everyone to repeat themselves, or telling them off for their poor diction, I would often limit myself to smiling and nodding, sometimes inappropriately, instead of being an active participant.
The television at home would always be at close to maximum volume, with the treble turned up full, and it was the same when I listened to music. I even got rid of a nice acoustic guitar, as I thought it had begun to sound dull.
My father suffered from deafness from his mid-fifties but he was too proud to use the hearing aids which were available at the time. I had some sympathy with him, as they were the sort of bulky, ugly appliances which have given rise to the expression “hearing-aid beige”. However, it was sad to see him become more and more isolated and I did not want to go the same way as him.
Eventually, I accepted that I must have a problem with my own hearing.
A friend told me that a guitar hero of mine, who I knew suffered from deafness as a result of being exposed to ridiculous levels of onstage volume since the 1960s, had been to Harley Street Hearing and was now using Phonak hearing aids, so I telephoned them and made an appointment for a hearing assessment.
This turned out to be the best thing I have done for myself in a very long time.
I now use a pair of Phonak hearing aids, which are practically invisible, and they have transformed my life.
I can now hear the full spectrum of audible frequencies and can enjoy the beautiful sound of my Martin acoustic guitar again.
Thank you, Harley Street Hearing & Musicians’ Hearing Services!
Garrick Roberts
If you have any hearing issues call 020 7486 1053 or complete below.
It’s felt like a revelation
It’s felt like a revelation to come across Harley Street Hearing. As a tour manager, on the road a lot with musicians, I have been frustrated by the limitations of my current NHS hearing aids to process music in a natural way, not to mention day to day speech.
I am so excited at the prospect of beginning a journey with Harley Street Hearing, to find a solution for me that can really work regarding music, but in so many other situations too.
The loveliness and warmth of all the staff also makes a huge difference. Paul Checkley is so understanding and his experience and insight is dearly appreciated.
5 STAR review – Rebecca Kemp
If you have hearing issues call 020 7486 1053 or complete below
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