South Devon audiologists have celebrated five years of making hearing care available for all.
Coinciding with World Hearing Day (3 March), the half-decade celebrations at Specsavers Paignton included fun snacks in the shape of hearing aids and ears, while staff donned hearing-awareness T-shirts and badges.
World Hearing Day, held annually by the World Health Organization, highlights the importance of preventing hearing loss and improving global hearing care.
In the five years since Specsavers started offering audiology services in South Devon, its director Kim Waryck has seen many thousands of customers and many changes in the industry.
She says: ‘It was lovely to mark our five years of bringing quality hearing care to the people of South Devon. We had fun, but we also wanted to raise awareness about what people can do to take care of their hearing.
‘We’ve seen a lot of advances in hearing care since we started. Of course, the first three years after we opened was when COVID hit. We launched in the February and lockdown started in March. Those were challenging times for everyone.
‘It took a couple of years to get a level of consistency in the number of customers we saw, but now we’re seeing more than 1,000 people per month.
‘Having audiology services on the high street gives peoplemore access, so that they have the option of where and when they can get their hearing checked.
‘We predominantly see cases of hearing loss related to ageing, and we do see a lot of wax removal cases. This hasrisen since many GP surgeries stopped offering the service.’
In addition to Paignton, the specialist audiology team offers its range of hearing services at the Totnes and Torquay Specsavers stores, including free hearing checks.
They also provide hearing tests, hearing aid sales, wax removal, hearing protection and repairs, as well as general guidance and support on hearing health.
Kim adds: ‘It was a lovely coincidence that our anniversary happened at the same time as World Hearing Day.
‘This year’s World Hearing Day theme is ‘Changing mindsets: empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all’ and that is absolutely what we’re aiming to do.
‘We want to encourage people to recognise the importance of looking after their hearing and protecting it from loud sounds, which could help to prevent hearing loss.
‘We’d also urge people to check their hearing regularly, use hearing devices if needed, and support those people living with hearing loss.’
Further information about Specsavers Hearcare Paignton is available at www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/paignton or by calling 01803 664606.
You can join us on our social media pages, follow us on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Threads where you can keep up to date with whats going on in South Devon.
Got a news story, blog or press release that you’d like to share or want to advertise with us? Get in touch via email admin@wearesouthdevon.com
