Dear LPG,

I know that it is the fashion to amalgamate business models these days, but I wonder if you always get the best service by doing this.  Shops that once specialised are branching out, and while some customers will argue that they do it very well, I have always found it better to find a shop that specialises. 

Do you remember when you paid the Gas Company for your gas supply and an Electric Company for electricity?  Can you remember when shops such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco specialised in selling grocery’s and did not get involved in peddling banking and insurance services?

I suppose that people will call me old fashioned but I believe in going to a specialist in their field when I need a service, and so when I last went to have my eyes tested, only to be offered a hearing test as part of the bargain, I had two thoughts enter my head.

The first was that I had read somewhere that our ability to hear and see, amongst other talents, are liable to slowly deteriorate as we get older, while we often have lived with the limitation so long that we have not even noticed just how bad it is getting.  This thought jolted me into thinking seriously quickly about getting my hearing checked.  The second was that even though hearing tests, like eye tests are free for the elderly, I wanted to go to a shop that specialises in addressing the problems of hearing loss rather than somewhere that has added this service to others that they originally offered.

 So I just want to remind readers of the importance of having a hearing test, and that said, I was truly impressed with the service I received from a practice dedicated to dealing with hearing in our borough and wanted to recommend it.

They are Devika James Audiology.  Their address is 229 Lee High road, Lewisham, SE13 5PQ, and their telephone number is; 0208 852 0697, and when I visited I learned a lot by checking out their leaflet.  I hope that LPG will be able to put a copy at the end of this post for readers to see. 

JG, Hither Green

JG asked that we might leave their message below this post and while we were unable to leave a link we have been able to add the text below.

Hearing loss can be a debilitating and lonely condition for the person affected and for their family and friends. The condition is easily neglected as the television can be turned up louder, or it’s very easy to feel that people are mumbling. This makes simple communication, which we all take for granted, an often exhausting task. It’s easier to not ask a question than to keep having to ask someone to repeat themselves.

Because hearing loss can be slow progression it’s easily over looked. Being hearing aware should be as much a part of your personal health care as it is going to the dentist or opticians.

 

Some statistics regarding hearing loss:

 

• Around 466 million people worldwide have hearing loss.
• It is estimated that by 2050 over 900 million people will have considerable hearing loss.
• Hearing loss may result from genetic causes, complications at birth, certain infectious diseases, chronic ear infections, genetic, the use of particular medication, exposure to excessive noise, and ageing.
• Interventions to prevent, identify and address hearing loss are cost-effective and can bring great benefit to individuals.
• People with hearing loss benefit from early identification.

 

       Source World health organisation March 2018.

 

• At least 5.7 million adults -13% of the English population have some degree of hearing loss.
• Hearing problems increase sharply with age affecting 83% of those over 85.

 

Source: BBC.co.uk/news/health – 35112343. (2015)

 

Sometimes a hearing impairment can be simply down to wax, which is easily treated with drops. But should your hearing require further help then hearing aids have very much kept up with today’s technology. Nowadays hearing aids are practically invisible, discreet reliable devices that are programed to your personal requirements. Their features can allow you to focus on a specific conversation in a room, the television or radio and many other options depending on model.

 

At Devika James Audiology our aim is to give you exceptional customer service when it comes to understanding your hearing requirements. Our hearing tests are free of charge and we take the time to discuss your individual hearing requirements, or simply just check the health of your ears.

 

If you’ve never had a hearing test before then you’ll find that the procedure is painless and takes around hour to hour and half, depending on what you require.

 

We are qualified professionals and we are able to clean and service all makes of both private and NHS hearing aids, often whilst you wait. The only cost attached is for new hearing aids – should you wish to go down that route.

Our audiologist, Dee, is a fully qualified professional, having gained her degree at Anglian Ruskin University and is also a member of the Hearing professional council (HPC) and registered with BSHAA, British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists.

She worked her way up from receptionist in a hearing aid shop, dealing with the day to day running of the branch, to a Hearing Care assistant, helping customers get the best from their aids, to a fully qualified audiologist. She prides herself in understanding our customers hearing needs

 

If you feel that we can assist you further then please either give us a call or pop in to book an appointment.

 

Devika James Audiology, 229 Lee high road, Lewisham, SE13 5PQ. Email; [email protected]

Telephone; 0208 852 0697