Drew Johnson spent three decades in the security industry, keeping a watchful eye on offices and factories across Scotland.
But later in life, the Paisley-born grandad realised his own senses were fading, leaving him ‘switched off’ from the people who mattered most - his family.
Thanks to the work of Specsavers Musselburgh, the 79-year-old is celebrating a ‘remarkable’ two-month transformation after receiving life-changing hearing devices that has brought the sound back to his home and hobbies.
Before seeking help, Drew struggled with great difficulty in busy environments. Recently, he moved from Dundee to live with his daughter Lynn in Musselburgh, which made the issue impossible to ignore, as the bustling household became a challenge to navigate.
‘I was missing the high notes and the low notes’ says Drew.
‘I found myself looking at people's lips just to understand what they were saying. I was worried, and I was annoyed at myself. I just couldn't believe how small the hearing devices were when I saw them - the stigma of them being off-putting is totally gone.’
Drew visited audiologist Jonathan Bell at the Specsavers Musselburgh store on the High Street. Jonathan diagnosed significant hearing loss in both ears and fitted Drew with discreet, modern hearing devices.
The result was an immediate return to independence and even allowed him to answer his phone with a simple tap of his ear.
As a thank you for Drew’s commitment to his clinical journey and to showcase the brand's dedication to long-term customer aftercare, drew was gifted a TV Connector worth £229.
The device allows Drew to watch his favourite team, Dundee United, and stream crime dramas, such as Blue Bloods and Chicago Fire, with total clarity directly into his hearing devices without adjusting the volume for the rest of the room.
Jonathan Bell, director of Edinburgh Specsavers Hearcare and the audiologist who led Drew’s care, says: ‘What makes Drew’s story so special is the family aspect.
‘Seeing Drew joined by both his daughters, Lynn and Laura, shows how hearing loss doesn't just affect the individual; it affects the whole support network.
‘Drew’s journey from being 'annoyed' by his hearing loss to being 'delighted' and independent is why we are so passionate about looking after our community’s hearing.’
For Drew’s daughter, Lynn, the change has been emotional.
She says: ‘He’s so much more involved now. At the dinner table, he’s back in the heart of the conversation instead of being switched off. Seeing him have that confidence back at his Friday morning club is amazing.’
Drew is now using his experience to help others, frequently assisting fellow members at a club with their own tablets and phones - all while enjoying the ‘perfect’ sound he thought he had lost for good.
Specsavers offers services across optometry and audiology. With ongoing training and development opportunities, the stores are committed to investing in their teams and helping customers.
To book a hearing check, you can visit Jonathan and his team at the https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/camerontoll or call 0131 672 9218.
Please note: The centralised diary management system means that by calling the Cameron Toll team on 0131 672 9218, patients can conveniently book appointments at any of our Specsavers locations across the greater Edinburgh area.
Issued by Tigerbond on behalf of Specsavers
For more information, please contact:
E: nicole.starrs@tigerbond.com
T: 07730 812 631
