I would like to express my thanks and appreciation no behalf of myself and my sister Clare to Brian Bingham for the wonderful service and kindness he has shown to my mother, Jean Ellison.

I was always aware of how much my mother values the time Brian has spent helping her (and my father in previous years) and how quickly he has responded to requests for an appointment.

My mother was admitted to hospital at the end of July. She is still in hospital now and is currently in intensive care. On Wednesday 18 August it became obvious to us that her hearing aid wasn’t working, we believe as a result of moisture.

I contacted your office and the earliest appointment we could get was Tuesday 24 August. However Brian then contacted me direct to say that he could come to Furness General Hospital in Barrow on Friday 20 August which was a huge relief. Seeing Mum’s face when Brian walked in was amazing. She smiled the widest smile we have seen since she became so ill. He fixed the hearing aid and checked her spare one, giving myself and my sister instructions on cleaning and maintenance.

On Saturday 28 August we noticed that hearing aid wasn’t working – this time it was the battery. I removed it and replaced the battery following Brian’s instructions. However, I struggled to get the aid back in Mum’s ear and she was too ill to help me with it. I sent a text to Brian and he spoke to me twice on the phone. I was still struggling and planning to research it on the internet when I got a messaged from Brian to say he was on his way to the hospital. Although this was Bank Holiday weekend he didn’t hesitate to help us. Unfortunately there was an accident on the motorway and it took him nearly 3 hours to get here but not once did Brian make us feel uncomfortable for the time it took.

Mum’s face lit up when she saw him, and within seconds she could hear again. She was still beaming after he left. As Mum is totally deaf in her left ear, the hearing aid in her right ear is critical to her wellbeing and recovery. Before his first visit to the hospital Mum had been unresponsive and we were extremely anxious to ensure she could hear. I hope the powers that be in the NHS are aware that Hidden Hearing representatives sometimes visit their clients in hospital when necessary and what a hugely valuable service it is.

Personally I can’t emphasise enough what a huge difference Brian has made to Mum, and to us, particularly during her time in hospital, but also prior to this with the service given.

Debbie and Clare Ellison, Ulverston