Like many people, 66-year-old Keith Cunningham put off getting his hearing checked, even though deep down he knew he was struggling. It wasn’t until personal tragedy struck that Keith finally decided to take action. This is his story.
I lost most of the hearing in my left ear 20 years ago, after a severe infection. Since then, I’ve relied almost entirely on my right ear. Over time, I adapted—or at least, I told myself I did. But the truth was, there were so many things I was missing. Conversations from my left side faded into the background, car rides turned into silence, and I often couldn’t tell where sounds were coming from.
For years, I did what many men do—I downplayed it. I told myself it wasn’t that bad. I ignored the frustration on my family's faces when I asked them to repeat something for the third time. I carried on, pretending I was fine.
Then last year, everything changed.
My wife—my partner of 50 years, the woman who always quietly filled in the gaps when I missed something—was diagnosed with terminal cancer. In the midst of her own unimaginable struggle, she insisted that it was time I did something about my hearing.
She passed away between my initial consultation and the final fitting of my hearing aids. She didn’t get to see me hear again—but I know she’d be delighted at the difference it’s made, not just for me, but for our daughters, our grandchildren, and our circle of friends who have all noticed the change.
Before the hearing aids, I often avoided social gatherings. Noisy restaurants, music gigs —all became situations I feared instead of enjoyed. I’d smile and nod, pretending I’d caught the punchline. I missed out on laughter. On connection.
Even on the tennis court or golf course I struggled. You don’t realise how vital sound is until you’re straining to hear a call across the net or a laugh shared between shots. Wind and weather only made it harder.
But the hardest part was missing moments with my grandchildren. Their little high pitched voices often slipped right past me. My four-year-old granddaughter would sometimes ask, “Grandad, have you got your listening ears on?” It made me realise that in some of those moments, I wasn’t fully present.
Everything changed the day I put those hearing aids in. It felt like someone had switched the world back on.
Socialising is no longer a struggle—it’s a joy. I can sit in a bustling restaurant and actually enjoy the conversation instead of feeling lost. I can hear the birds sing outside our home in the countryside—something I hadn’t truly heard in decades. It’s like rediscovering the soundtrack of life.
My three daughters have all commented on how much more engaged and at ease I am.
And with the Oticon Intent™ 1 hearing aids, I feel in control again. The app is simple and intuitive, letting me adjust settings for different environments, and the Bluetooth® connection means I can take calls and listen to podcasts on my walks.
Looking back, I only wish I’d done this sooner. The team at Hidden Hearing, especially my audiologist Grace, have been exceptional—skilled, kind, and genuinely invested in making the experience a positive one.
This past year has taught me that life doesn’t always unfold the way we expect. It’s fragile, unpredictable. But it’s also full of moments—everyday moments—that are too precious to miss. Getting my hearing back has helped me reclaim those moments, and it’s given me hope for the ones still to come.
- –Keith Cunningham
If Keith’s journey to better hearing has inspired you to take that first step, you can book your free hearing test by following the link.