Steve was repeating himself a lot and annoying his friends and family. Steve was forced to turn the TV up very loud. Steve was becoming frustrated because he was constantly struggling to grasp everything that people were saying to him. Steve had a hearing problem but didn’t realise it.
That’s where local charity, Cambridgeshire Deaf Association (CDA), can help.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms you may be suffering from hearing loss, and you should get help straight away. The CDA are committed to helping with the growing number of people in the county who are struggling with hearing loss.
Over 200,000 people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough currently suffer with the condition which can lead to feelings of isolation and social decline, but the CDA can help with advice, social get together and free lip-reading classes.
Steve Thorpe of Peterborough says it was others who noticed his hearing loss before he did. If you or anyone you know is suffering with hearing loss, please contact Cambridgeshire Deaf Association (CDA) on their website
The Steve in question is Steve Thorpe, who runs the Peterborough based charity, Free Kicks Foundation, who take disadvantaged children on days out to football matches. He says that other people noticed his hearing loss before he did.
“It was a gradual thing; I would be driving along in the car with the radio on and I wouldn’t be able to hear what anybody was saying. It took me quite a while to accept I had a problem and it wasn’t really until people said that I was been annoying, with them constantly having to repeat themselves, that I finally got checked out.”
Steve says that after diagnosis the process was quite quick and he had his hearing aids installed withing three months, allowing him to hear things that he hasn’t heard for years.
“I remember when I first had the hearing aids and I was wrapping my sandwiches, the sound of the tin foil was something I had never noticed! It took a while to get used to all these new sounds but now my quality of life has improved dramatically. I would advise anyone who is struggling to get a hearing test as soon as possible and not suffer in silence, like I did.”
Steve also has tinnitus, and the CDA will soon launch an online support group to further assist people with hearing difficulties in the county. Andy Palmer is their Chief Executive.
“Quality of life is important to all of us and if you are suffering with your hearing, reach out and contact us, we can help you in so many ways,” he says. “We can provide practical support, help and advice with benefits, lip reading classes, hearing aids and BSL sign language training. Whatever your need, we are here to help, please get in touch.”
If you or anyone you know is suffering with hearing loss, please contact Cambridgeshire Deaf Association on their website – https://cambsdeaf.org
