Autumn 2017

THE LATEST NEWS ON HEARING AND EYE CARE AT LEIGHTONS

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Life without compromise with the new issue of

Welcome to the latest edition of our magazine, bringing you all the news and insight from the Leightons Hearing and Optical teams. In this issue, you’ll find an overview of some of the newest hearing tech, expert analysis and tips to help you get the most out of life this autumn. We hope you enjoy this edition, and we look forward to seeing you in store again soon.

a

message

Ryan

FROM

A

debate rages in the media as to whether it’s right that Big Ben is silenced for the next four years, so it seems that hearing loss has (rightly) become an issue of public discussion over recent weeks. While workers’ hearing must unquestionably be protected, I admit I find myself slightly saddened at the loss of such an iconic sound, albeit temporarily. It brings to mind all those sounds we take for granted and, should we lose them, how we might rediscover them again.

Here at Leightons, a big part of our

With tips on eating to keep up

ethos has always been listening to

energy levels and some hearing

our customers so you can rediscover

loss-related myth-busting from one

the sights and sounds that mean the

of our audiologists, this is another

most to you. In this Talking Points,

edition packed with expert insight

there’s insight into incredible new

and advice.

hearing aid technology alongside eye care tips that help you do just that.

We love hearing your thoughts on Talking Points, so please let us know

From rechargeable aids to wireless

what you think when you’re next

connectivity, we now offer devices

in store. Happy reading!

that provide a whole new level of freedom. We also talk to Leightons’ customer John Mills about his experience with advanced hearing technology and the difference it’s made to his life.

Ryan Leighton, CEO LEIGHTONS |

talking points 3

Tech

TOP

All the latest innovations from the world of hearing technology.

Make batteries a thing of the past Most advanced just got better – Oticon Opn™ The Oticon Opn™ has already established itself as one of the most advanced hearing aids available today: supporting your brain in making sense of sounds, it offers an unparalleled hearing experience that lets you focus on what’s important to you. With its accompanying smartphone app and internet connectivity, the Opn™ is at the forefront of hearing aid technology. And now from this October, it’s available with a rechargeable option too! A simple and convenient overnight charge provides full power for the next day, with no need to worry about replacing batteries, so you can get straight on with your day. And should you forget to put your aids on charge, it’s no problem – ordinary batteries can be used too. All new and existing Opn mini

The Oticon Opn™ with charger

Receiver-In-The-Ear (RITE) aids can be upgraded to the rechargeable option by your Leightons audiologist.

Small but mighty – Unitron Moxi Fit R The new Unitron Moxi Fit R brings discretion and style together with convenience and comfort – it’s the world’s smallest rechargeable hearing aid. You get more than 24 hours of listening from one overnight charge, so the Moxi Fit R’s small and discreet size doesn’t mean you compromise on power or usability. A rechargeable battery will last a whole year, so it will also save you from changing up to 100 single use ones – but traditional batteries can still be used as a back-up if needed, for complete peace of mind. The Unitron Moxi Fit R and its stylish colour options

4 LEIGHTONS | talking points

A connected world Universal connectivity – Phonak Audéo™ B-Direct Wirelessly connecting your hearing aid to your smartphone is nothing new, but until now, it’s always been limited to phones from a handful of manufacturers. The new Phonak Audéo™ B-Direct hearing aid makes this limitation a thing of the past, with cutting edge connectivity that enables you to pair your aids with any Bluetooth® phone. Not only can you take calls hands-free, but you’ll hear the phone ringing in your aids and can even answer or reject calls without needing to touch your mobile device.

Adjustments at home or away – ReSound LiNX 3D™ ReSound were the first manufacturer to bring ‘Made for iPhone®’ connectivity to their hearing aids, and now include this technology as standard on their latest aid, the LiNX 3D™, enabling you to stream audio from your TV, tablet or smartphone direct to your aids. What’s more, ReSound LiNX 3D™ offers an innovative new system that allows you to send your audiologist feedback on your listening experience in different situations via an app. This means your hearing professional can fine-tune your hearing aids remotely to give you the best possible hearing experience, wherever you are.

Taking tailor-made to the next level Anatomically perfected – Phonak Virto B Phonak Virto B hearing aids, built on Phonak’s latest Belong platform, take custom-fit in-the-ear aids to new heights. They are the world's first hearing aid to use Biometric Calibration technology. The unique anatomy of your ear affects how sound is captured and directed, so the Virto B uses more than 1600 data points to calculate the perfect fit for you. This helps to identify sound direction more accurately and give you the best possible hearing experience.

A metal revolution – Phonak Virto B-Titanium The Virto B-Titanium, Phonak’s smallest in-ear hearing aid yet, uses a revolutionary casing of medical grade titanium. Titanium is a hypoallergenic metal, so it causes no irritation or discomfort. It’s also an incredible 15 times stronger than traditional acrylic, so the shell is as thin as 0.2mm in places. Combined with smaller electronic components, the whole aid is 26% smaller than previous generations of Virto devices, giving you a virtually invisible hearing solution.

LEIGHTONS |

talking points 5

tech, BETTER

hearing, better

living:

better

John’s

STORY

What do you do when you’ve lost hearing in one ear and the other is also deteriorating? We spoke to John Mills, a former BBC TV producer, to see how he discovered the perfect hearing aid.

J

ohn’s story is all too common. Jumping between hearing aids and audiologists with mixed success, John – who is 81 – could never find the elusive combination of great technology and skilled service. It wasn’t until he walked into Leightons’ Epsom branch and spoke to audiologist Charlotte Bufton that everything fell into place. We caught up with John to get the details, from losing his hearing in one ear and working on a pioneering BBC TV show to ultimately finding the right hearing aid for him.

Did you require surgery to remove the acoustic neuroma? Back in London, I had a seven hour procedure at the Royal London Hospital to remove the tumour from my ear and brain. The operation was successful, but removing the tumour could not avoid damaging the auditory nerve, leaving me deaf in one ear.

What about the hearing in your other ear? Do you have hearing loss there too? Yes – I have hearing loss in my left ear too. During the 60s and 70s I was the producer of the BBC’s first ever motoring programme, Wheelbase, the predecessor of Top Gear. It was a weekly show hosted by Cliff Michelmore, covering F1, TT racing and big events at Monaco, Le Mans, Brands Hatch, Silverstone and many more. We were there on location, right down in the pits and trackside. We didn’t wear ear defenders back then, so the noise was deafening – that was part of the thrill – but the open, unsilenced exhausts of the cars and racing bikes left my ears ringing for days. It wouldn’t have caused the acoustic neuroma in my right ear, but it could certainly have contributed to the gradual hearing loss in my left ear.

What are your experiences of hearing loss? Conversations can be frustrating, both for me and for those talking to me. It’s a big challenge, especially in noisy, echoing locations. Until recently, I’d visited lots of audiologists, none of which made any real impact; I have a drawer full of discarded hearing aids. What you’re looking for is a comfortable listening experience, and for many years that seemed to be beyond my reach. The hearing aids helped, but they were far from ideal.

When did you first notice that your hearing was getting worse?

Now you’re with Leightons, how have things changed? Unlike some other disabilities, there is no measurable way for the audiologist

Quite young – in 1973, when I was 37

to understand exactly what my hearing

years old. The hearing in my right ear

experience is like. A hearing test is

deteriorated much faster than my left

only a starting point. An audiologist

ear. Naturally, I was quite worried, so while I was in the

with the patience to understand the very inexact descriptions

USA I saw the renowned ear specialist, Howard House.

I offer – ‘too loud’, ‘too sharp’, ‘booming’ – and then adjust

He diagnosed an acoustic neuroma, a type of benign

the hearing aid’s configuration to help me hear better

tumour that affects the inner ear.

can only be successful through a very personal, sensitive

6 LEIGHTONS | talking points

relationship. This is, sadly, all too rare. But Leightons and my

programmes sometimes means I can hear even better than

audiologist Charlotte deliver a wonderful service, helping me

my normal-hearing friends!

get the best possible hearing experience.

And of course there's music.

So fine-tuning the hearing aid is just as important as choosing the right one in the first place?

I recently watched the BBC Proms on TV, using my Bluetooth

Absolutely. Through more than 40 years of using hearing

The concert paid tribute to the magic of American jazz greats

aids from all the best makes, I’ve learned that while the

like Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie, backed by the full

technology is important, my hearing experience has always

weight of the BBC Concert Orchestra.

depended on the understanding and empathy of the

streaming box to send the audio directly to my Oticon Opn.

The Oticon Opn performed brilliantly. The overwhelming

audiologist. They fine-tune the hearing aid and ensure it suits your own hearing preferences.

Which hearing aid has Leightons recommended for you?

“The exhausts of the cars and bikes left my ears ringing for days.”

I have the Oticon Opn™, a receiver-inthe-ear model with a custom-moulded fitting for comfort. Hearing aid technology has taken great strides forward in

richness of the sound was unforgettable. Wonderful music enveloped my senses in ways I’d almost forgotten were possible. I can enjoy music again thanks to the fine-tuning of the Oticon Opn by Charlotte. I can even use the iPhone

app to listen to Classic FM.

age, it gives us so many time-saving advantages.

Now that your hearing has improved with the new hearing aid, what’s been the response from your family?

I’ve used both Oticon and Phonak models in the past, they’ve

They are pleased and relieved. In fact, the topic of my

served me well. I have two as my fall-back, just in case.

hearing loss is no longer anywhere near the top of the

What are the three best things about your new Oticon hearing aid?

agenda! My son, who is 50, has also visited Leightons and

recent years, and the Oticon Opn is the most advanced available on the market. I’m grateful to be living in the digital

Primarily, it’s the overall hearing quality, it’s a noticeably better day-to-day hearing experience with the Oticon Opn.

been fitted with an Oticon Nera 2 Pro hearing aid. No hearing aid will work as you want it to first time. If there’s one thing to know about hearing aids, it’s that aftercare support is essential.

It also offers programmes and settings (including Bluetooth®) that give me more choice and flexibility in how I use the hearing aid. And the controls are simple and unfussy. Very easy to use.

Have you had a chance to test the Oticon Opn in any challenging acoustic conditions?

GET IN TOUCH For more information on the latest hearing technology, call us on 0800 40 20 20 or book a free hearing assessment online.

Definitely. Using the adjustments and the three separate

CHARLOTTE BUFTON BSc RHAD RCCP Hearing Aid Consultant Charlotte graduated from Bristol University with a BSc in Audiology, before gaining a wealth of experience and assessment skills working for the NHS at a top London hospital Following this, she moved to a role with a leading hearing aid manufacturer, giving her invaluable insight and understanding of cutting edge hearing technology. Now, in her role as an Audiologist with Leightons, she is still at the forefront of the latest developments in the world of hearing care, but what really motivates her is making a difference.

LEIGHTONS |

talking points 7

energy REV UP your LEVELS this

Autumn

By Helen Bond, State Registered Dietitian

S

unshine, nutritious salads and plenty of fresh air make it easy to feel fabulous and energised in summer, yet with the first nip of autumn, many of us find ourselves feeling a little more tired than usual. But, it doesn’t have to be that way – here’s my invigorating diet and lifestyle tips to keep your va-va voom now that shorter, darker days are here.

Eat breakfast like a king The old adage – ‘Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper’ still rings true today. A healthy breakfast replenishes energy levels after a long period without food and provides fuel and essential nutrients to help your body function more effectively throughout the day. Good options are wholegrain cereals or porridge with semi-skimmed milk, or a boiled egg with some wholewheat soldiers.

“Our body is made up of about 60% water, so if you don’t drink enough you won’t feel alert or energised.”

to keep topping up your fluid intakes to maintain optimal levels of hydration as we age. European recommendations suggest 1.6 litres of fluid per day for women (about 8x 200ml glasses) and 2 litres of fluid per day for men (about 10x 200ml glasses) – on top of the water provided by the food you eat. You need even more if it’s hot or you’re exercising! Tap, bottled, fizzy, hot and cold water, tea, coffee and fruit juice all count – but watch the sugar content of some drinks, and your alcohol intake as it can dehydrate you.

Stabilise your blood sugar levels Enjoy regular healthy meals and snacks and don’t go for hours without eating. That way you’ll avoid blood sugar spikes and the resulting falls that cause a drop off in energy and alertness. Where possible, go for lower Glycaemic Index (GI) carbohydrate options such as granary or rye breads, new or sweet potatoes and quinoa or pulses, which release their glucose (sugar) more slowly, helping to keep your

Keep your fluid levels topped up Thirst can disguise itself as tiredness and even mild dehydration can leave you feeling lethargic. Our sensitivity to thirst also decreases with age, so it‘s even more important 8 LEIGHTONS | talking points

energy levels stable.

For maximum energy - slay the energy vampires!

Keep junk out of the kitchen

Embrace the season

Steer clear of food and drink with lots of added sugar,

There is so much gorgeous seasonal produce to enjoy at

such as sweets, cakes, chocolate and sugary fizzy drinks –

this time of the year – energy-giving foods that are not only

they only give a temporary energy burst and won’t provide

low in fat, but also packed with many of the vital nutrients

the nutrition your body and eyes need to work at their best.

and antioxidants that help keep our eyes seeing well into

If you need a mid-morning energy boost, swap your usual

old age. Tuck into carrots and pumpkins, rich in carotenoids

elevenses biscuits for a healthy snack, such as a handful

beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin; apples and pears rich

of almonds or a couple of oatcakes with low fat soft

in cholesterol-lowering soluble fibre, and figs brimming

cheese or hummus.

with blood pressure-pleasing potassium.

Cut back on stimulants

Get checked out

While coffee and tea have their place as natural stimulants

If all my tips fail, do check with your GP that you don’t

(there’s good evidence they can assist with mental and

have an underlying medical problem – such as an

physical performance), if you need a coffee fix just to

underactive thyroid, diabetes, depression, coeliac disease or

function, something isn’t right. Be aware of how many

anaemia – that is making you feel washed out.

cups you’re consuming, cut down if necessary. Switch to herbal teas and decaffeinated drinks – you may be surprised at the difference cutting down on caffeine makes to your energy levels.

Get out and get active Colder weather can put you off outdoor activities, while darker evenings can stop you venturing out at all. But, being a couch potato can sap your energy – your body equates the stillness with going to sleep. On the flip side, regular exercise will boost your vitality, improve your sleep patterns and even help ward off winter blues. Experts advise at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week. If you find you’re too tired in the evening to exercise, try going at lunchtime – it’s a great way to beat the mid-afternoon energy slump.

Lose weight if you need to Being overweight means your body uses more energy when you’re active, which naturally can leave you feeling exhausted. Even small amounts of weight loss can benefit your energy levels, and can help set you on a path to a healthier future. If you think you would like to lose a little weight, have a look at bdaweightwise.com

Sleep well Beyond all else, deep restful sleep – between seven to nine hours a night – is the key to feeling revitalised. Don’t slice off vital sleep hours by going to bed really late or setting the alarm too early to get chores done. Recognise the value of sleep for a long and healthy life, and keep regular hours – even at the weekend. Lack of sleep can also throw your appetite hormones out of whack, so you’re more likely to

TOP VITALITY-BOOSTING NUTRIENTS B VITAMINS contribute to the healthy release of energy from food. A healthy varied diet that includes eggs, nuts and wholegrains is the easiest way to get enough. IRON 27% of women and 3% of men over 65 years old have low iron intakes. Eating more iron rich foods, such as green leafy veg, beans and dried fruit will increase iron levels. Iron holds oxygen to your red blood cells, so if you are deficient you can feel weak, dizzy and lethargic. MAGNESIUM is important for psychological wellbeing but it can help us feel less tired and fatigued. Good sources include wholegrains, nuts and pulses. VITAMIN C helps boost immunity so you’re less likely to pick up bugs that leave you feeling lethargic. It also contributes to healthy energy release. Good sources include green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits. IODINE is needed to make thyroxine, a hormone that keeps our metabolism revved up – a sluggish metabolism can make us feel shattered. Sources include potatoes and eggs. SELENIUM is an antioxidant that helps to protect the body’s cells, including those in the eyes and ears from damage. Good sources include brazil nuts, fish and eggs.

end up snacking unhealthily and that can pile on the pounds. LEIGHTONS |

talking points 9

7hearing loss MYTHS about

and

WHY they're

NOT true

Charlotte Bufton is a Leightons hearing expert who works primarily in our Cobham and Epsom branches. These are some of the most common misconceptions about hearing loss that she has encountered over the years.

MYTH: It’s easy to tell if you have a hearing loss. FACT: Many people notice the symptoms of hearing loss before the hearing loss itself. Indicators of hearing loss can include:

• Ability to hear doors slamming in the distance, but problems hearing speech clearly.

MYTH: Hearing aids make your ears lazy. FACT: Hearing aids support your brain.

• Fatigue: your brain is having to work much harder to establish what people are saying.

If you have hearing loss, the earlier you are fitted with hearing aids the better. Untreated hearing loss results in

• Lower energy levels: when you have a hearing loss, listening effort is significantly increased.

auditory deprivation, where the brain loses the ability to interpret words due to a lack of stimulation over an extended period of time. Hearing aids

• Social isolation: many people will stop enjoying and attending social events because of problems hearing. • Mental decline: untreated hearing loss results in less stimulation of the auditory cortex. This accelerates mental decline, resulting in a higher

“Hearing changes very gradually, so we get used to missing out on soft sounds.”

risk of dementia.

MYTH: If you have a hearing loss, you won’t be able to hear most sounds. FACT: Most people with a hearing loss don’t notice difficulty hearing in all situations. Hearing usually changes very gradually so we get used to

provide regular stimulation of the auditory cortex, helping to prevent or reverse auditory deprivation.

MYTH: It’s better to leave wearing hearing aids until your hearing is worse.

FACT: Hearing aids reduce deterioration of hearing. If you wear hearing aids, your auditory pathway is able to function more normally. This results in a slower rate of deterioration in your hearing. Therefore the longer you leave it, the quicker your hearing deteriorates and the more auditory deprivation develops.

missing out on soft sounds: leaves rustling, clocks ticking, soft breathing. For most people, hearing deteriorates in the high frequencies, such as ‘s’ ‘sh’ and ‘f’ sounds, resulting in a loss of clarity, rather than volume. This results in: • Speech sounding mumbled. • Difficulty hearing in a restaurant (or any background noise) situation.

10 LEIGHTONS | talking points

MYTH: There is nothing you can do to help tinnitus. FACT: Tinnitus is often a symptom of hearing loss. Therefore, many people find that wearing hearing aids stops them from being aware of their tinnitus. Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing sound for which there is no external source. This is often a ringing, buzzing or

EYEWEAR ARCHITECTS EYEWEAR ARCHITECTS

hissing noise. Many people with hearing loss experience tinnitus because the auditory cortex (the hearing part of your brain) receives less stimulation from your ear. Tinnitus often occurs at the same frequency as the hearing loss. In fact, 90% of tinnitus occurs as a result of hearing loss. Many people find that wearing hearing aids prevents them hearing tinnitus. Many hearing aids are now fitted with a tinnitus relief system – speak to one of our audiologists who can advise you on the best hearing aids to help you.

MYTH: Hearing loss only affects older people. FACT: Our hearing changes from a young age. Our hearing becomes less sensitive to high frequency sounds from as early as our twenties. 50% of people have a high frequency hearing loss by the age of 50. This can particularly affect the ability to hear in background noise or group situations.

MYTH: A hearing assessment is only for people who have concerns about their hearing. FACT: Hearing and ear health should be monitored at regular intervals, whatever your age. Like visiting the dentist, or having regular eye examinations, it is important to have your hearing and ear health monitored to detect any changes. Every hearing test that you have with us is recorded, allowing us to identify and inform you of any changes over time. It is never too early to have your first hearing check.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP If you have any questions or concerns about your hearing or that of a loved one, or would simply like more information, you can book a free hearing test online, call us on 0800 40 20 20 or visit your nearest branch.

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perfectly Balance IN

A

s well as enabling you to hear, your ears perform a host of other functions, including helping you to maintain your balance. Discover how taking care of your hearing can help you stay firmly on your feet.

How do we balance? In a nutshell, three areas of your body work together to help your brain maintain your sense of balance – eyes, limbs and inner ear. Your eyes help you see where you're standing, and orient you within your environment. Sensors in your joints, muscles and tendons help your brain understand the position and movement of your limbs. They work together with the vestibular system in your inner ear, which senses the rotational and linear movements of your head and body, and relays that important information to your brain.

problem in your inner ear which could also affect your hearing. So don't ignore it – remember that hearing loss is a gradual process that can progressively impact your quality of life in various ways. The best course of action for hearing concerns is to visit Leightons for your free hearing assessment.

How can your eyes help your balance? Clear vision is essential to help prevent falls and trips. It's worth noting that due to the distortions that are present in bifocal and varifocal lenses, they are not always the most appropriate form of correction for people who are at risk

Can hearing loss affect your balance? Problems with your inner ear, such as an ear infection,

of falls. If you're using bifocals or varifocals, it's crucial that they are correctly fitted to provide clear vision at the relevant distances for walking safely.

can mean that hearing loss occurs at the same time as balance impairment – although one does not necessarily cause the other. In addition, hearing loss also reduces your awareness of the environment and can make you more susceptible to falling.

Feeling a little unbalanced? If you think you may be experiencing balance impairment, your first point of contact should be your GP. However, difficulties with balance may also indicate a

12 LEIGHTONS | talking points

WE ARE HERE TO HELP If you have hearing or sight concerns, talk to our experts - book your eye exam or free hearing assessment with us today. If you have balance concerns, please talk to your GP.

RED,

sore watery OR

eyes

?

Dry eye - everything you need to know.

F

rom time to time we all feel like our eyes can get dry and tired, but if your eyes regularly feel red, sore and uncomfortable, you might be suffering from dry eye syndrome.

This includes a fluorescein or lissamine green dye test. These dyes highlight dry or damaged cells and help us examine the flow of tears.

Why does it happen? There’s no single cause of dry eye syndrome, but there are a number of factors that can contribute. • Underlying medical conditions, such as blepharitis (an inflammation of the eyelids), lupus, contact dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis. • Side effects of some medicine, such as antihistamines, antidepressants and diuretics. • For women, dry eye can happen during menopause, pregnancy, or while using the pill.

Dry eye is common and occurs when your tears evaporate faster than usual, or if your eyes cannot produce enough tears. Tears don’t just flow when you start welling up while watching a sad film, they should always be there, to constantly lubricate your eyes. You can also have dry eyes despite tears rolling down your cheeks – if the tears are of poor quality, they stay on the surface of your eyes. Dry eye becomes more common as you get older because we produce fewer tears and our eyelids are less effective in

• Due to dry, windy weather or even high altitude. • Central heating and air conditioning will further evaporate tears in the home, office or car. • Following laser eye surgery many people initially are aware of having dry eye. • Activities like reading, writing or working at a computer without breaks. Try blinking regularly to stimulate the flow of tears around your eyes.

spreading the tears across the surface of our eyes – about 33% of people over 65 experience problems with dry eyes.

How can it be treated?

However, this condition is also becoming more prevalent

You can make the most of your natural tears by drinking

in young people, and it’s thought to be related to excessive

more fluids and staying well hydrated, and eating more

screen use. When we’re looking at a screen we blink

foods containing omega 3 and omega 6, such as oily fish,

less frequently, less fully and at a lower rate, so our tears

sunflower seeds and walnuts.

evaporate and are not spread evenly over the surface of the eyes.

What are the symptoms? If you have itchy eyes, redness, the sensation of having something in your eye, a gritty feeling or watery eyes as

You can also try artificial tear eye drops. This is a common treatment clinically proven to relieve the gritty, sore sensation of dry eye syndrome. Pop into your local branch of Leightons to pick up artificial tear eye drops such as Thealoz Duo – a dual-action eye drop that hydrates and protects the surface of the eye.

they try to over-compensate for the lack of tears, you could have dry eyes.

We can take a look

At Leightons we can diagnose dry eye syndrome by

If you have concerns about dry eye syndrome and would

thoroughly discussing your symptoms and making an

like to book an eye test to find out more, or simply want to

assessment of the front of your eye (the anterior eye).

try eye drops, contact your eye care experts at Leightons. LEIGHTONS |

talking points 13

Aubrey Smith HND RHAD BSHAA Aubrey’s career in audiology began when he took over the family hearing care business from his brother. Prior to this he had enjoyed a full career as an Officer in the British Army. His passion for improving the quality of life for the hard of hearing led him to qualify as a Hearing Aid Audiologist with

Meet the newest recruits to our team.

Mary Hare partnered to Oxford Brookes University. He is delighted to be working with Leightons, where the ethos for delivering a high standard of clinical care and helping customers to live their lives to the full is aligned with his own commitment to customer care. Aubrey finds it extremely rewarding to work together with patients to improve their quality of life, helping them achieve the best hearing possible. He loves the moment when patients turn their hearing aids on for the first time: “the expression on my patient’s face when they can clearly hear what a loved one is saying makes me very happy.” Outside work, Aubrey enjoys spending family time with his wife, children and grandchildren. “The family and I enjoy an active life, walking swimming and cycling. I also coach and play squash at Masters level in Hampshire. When time allows, I play hockey and also coach hockey for the U12s.”

David Booth RHAD MSHAA After completing his training back in 2006, for the last 11 years David has worked in hearing centres, as well as in people’s homes, and has always loved improving people’s quality of life. He believes there’s nothing better than when patients say that you have made life brighter and happier because they can hear! David is looking forward to working with Leightons: “I have joined Leightons as they share the same aspirations for their patients as me. I have access to the latest equipment and technology and I also have regular training in the latest technology and techniques. Even with over a decade of experience I feel it is vital to learn the latest in developments to keep me at the cutting edge of hearing aid audiology.” Outside work, David is kept busy with two young daughters. As a family they love country walks – getting out and making the most of the beautiful Sussex countryside. He also enjoys history, pottering around his garden and is a season ticket holder at Brighton and Hove Albion FC.

14 LEIGHTONS | talking points

GET IN TOUCH To book a free hearing test with your local expert, call us on 0800 40 20 20 or book online.

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LEIGHTONS |

talking points 15

Peace of mind included At Leightons, our care doesn’t stop the minute you walk out the door. We’re here 6 days a week, 52 weeks of the year, so if you need some advice, or you want to talk something over, we’re always here to listen. For total peace of mind, we provide a 60 day 100% money back guarantee, all our next generation digital hearing aids come with a 3-5 year warranty and 3-5 years of free batteries.

TO SEE. TO HEAR. TO LIVE…

We understand that hearing aids can be a big investment. To help you spread the cost, ask about our Hear Now, Pay Later plan. Simply pay a 30% deposit and spread the rest into easy-to-pay instalments, interest free.

FREE HEARING ASSESSMENT Good hearing starts with regular hearing health checks

BRA N C H E S ADDLESTONE

FLEET

SUTTON

ALTON

HASLEMERE

SWINDON

ANDOVER

HAYWARDS HEATH

TADLEY

BASINGSTOKE

HEMPSTEAD VALLEY

THATCHAM

CAMBERLEY

HOVE (The Eyecare Centre)

TOTTON

CHANDLERS FORD

LEWES (Spectrum Eyecare)

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

CIRENCESTER

MARLOW (Leightons Insight)

WINCHESTER

COBHAM

POOLE (Leightons & Tempany)

WINDSOR (Leightons Eye Windsor)

EGHAM

PUTNEY

WOKINGHAM

EPSOM

READING

WOODLEY

FAREHAM

SOUTHAMPTON

FARNHAM

ST. ALBANS

FREEPHONE 0800 40 20 20 www.leightons.co.uk