Renowned Westmeath entertainer joins Hidden Hearing as ambassador

One of Ireland’s best-loved country and folk singers, Brendan Shine, has joined Hidden Hearing as an ambassador.

The Drum native, who now lives at Taughmaconell in south Roscommon, is a Hidden Hearing patient at its Athlone clinic, and is encouraging people to prioritise their hearing health and to seek support if struggling with their hearing aids.

Brendan said: “As a singer, hearing has always been central to my life, but it is also vital for the everyday moments that matter, from enjoying conversations and spending time with family to staying connected to the people around you.

“What I have learned through my own experience is that you have to give yourself time to adjust and stick with your hearing aids until you get them right. You may need some fine-tuning along the way. I have a wonderful relationship with the team at Hidden Hearing in Athlone, and knowing that they are there to listen, make adjustments and support me has made all the difference. I hope that sharing my experience will encourage others to have their hearing checked and, if they already have hearing aids, not to leave them sitting in a drawer”!

Brendan said he is supporting Hidden Hearing’s message that people should not give up if their hearing aids do not feel perfect immediately. Instead, said Hidden Hearing, they should remain patient, wear them consistently and continue working with their audiologist until the devices are properly adjusted to suit both their hearing and their lifestyle.

The announcement comes as new research commissioned by Hidden Hearing revealed that, among those who stop using their hearing aids, more than half (52 per cent) do so within the first two weeks following their fitting, including 30 per cent within the first week. Among respondents who never wear their prescribed devices, 17 per cent gave up within just three days of being fitted, Hidden Hearing said.

Alan Johnston, Brendan’s audiologist at Hidden Hearing Athlone, said: “Brendan understood from the beginning that being fitted with hearing aids was only the first step. It takes time for the brain to adjust to hearing sounds clearly again, and the devices may need to be fine-tuned as the person becomes accustomed to wearing them. Brendan stayed with the process, told us honestly what was and wasn’t working for him, and returned for the support and adjustments he needed. That commitment to the process is what has made such a life-changing difference to his hearing.”

Hidden Hearing’s research found that early difficulties were common among hearing aid users, including challenges handling or maintaining the device, everyday sounds feeling too loud, embarrassment and physical discomfort (23%).

The findings also demonstrated the benefits experienced by those who wear their hearing aids for the recommended eight to ten hours each day.

Among these respondents, 43 per cent reported an improved social life, 40 per cent experienced improved mental health and 38 per cent said their confidence had increased. Others reported improvements in their relationships with partners, family and friends, as well as benefits in their working lives.

Eight-six per cent of those who had stopped wearing their hearing aids said they intend to try again, suggesting that many remain open to re-engaging with hearing care when the right support is available, said Hidden Hearing.

For more information visit www.hiddenhearing.ie