A Letterkenny audiologist has praised 101-year-old Annie McCaul from Dunlewey as a truly deserving recipient of free hearing aids. Annie received the devices through Hidden Hearing’s Gift of Hearing campaign, facilitated by Mike Hearne of Hidden Hearing Letterkenny.
Mike said Annie visited the clinic a month ago for a hearing test. He immediately thought she would benefit greatly from hearing aids, especially since this was her first pair. He described the gift as life-changing, explaining that hearing loss can take away a vital part of life, and hearing aids can restore it.
Mike also highlighted how modern hearing aids have advanced. For example, they can now connect directly to smartphones, allowing users to stream calls and audio straight to their devices. He shared a story about a man who struggled to hear his daughter in Australia over the phone until he got hearing aids with direct streaming. This allowed him to talk with her directly, improving their connection.
He added that technology in hearing aids keeps evolving, mentioning rechargeable batteries and artificial intelligence as recent improvements. Mike also noted that younger people are now more willing to seek help for hearing loss, partly because the stigma around hearing aids has decreased.
Hidden Hearing in Letterkenny recently celebrated 15 years serving the community. The event was attended by Daniel O’Donnell, whose late mother was a patient of the clinic. Daniel’s visit brought joy to many as he mingled with guests and posed for photos.
Mike said the clinic is proud to help more people hear better each year and remains committed to improving lives through better hearing.
