That technology, Mr Cotter says, has transformed his everyday life. Roger, a wireless system that transmits speech directly to hearing devices and cochlear implants, helps people hear clearly even in the noisiest environments, restaurants, churches and, for Mr Cotter, most importantly, his car. “Joanne’s treatment and care has absolutely changed my life. I am hearing things I hadn’t even noticed I had lost, I feel 50 years old when I’m actually 84!” But it’s one small voice that has made the biggest difference: “The most important thing I can hear clearly now is the sound of my granddaughter, Hannah, talking to me from the backseat when I pick her up. “She’s a wee chatterbox, and it brings me so much joy to be able to have a proper conversation with her, help her with her homework and be more present with her during our time together.” And he doesn’t hesitate when asked if he’d recommend the service to others: “It’s the efficiency of it all, and the after care. I have had the hearing devices for six years now, and they have transformed everything for me. “I’d hate to think of another person suffering in silence, feeling isolated and like they don’t have anywhere to turn. I’ve spoken to others who feel they don’t have the same options as me, but Joanne at Specsavers Coleraine is there and is local, and her team is local, too. They are right there on our doorsteps to help.” The team isn’t just helping locals hear better. With Lynn Mackey and Judith Ball overseeing the optical side of the business, Specsavers Coleraine is also committed to protecting the sight and overall health the community. With the help of advanced diagnostic equipment like OCT (optical coherence tomography) scans, they’re able to detect serious health conditions early,
sometimes years before symptoms even appear. “Your eyes can reveal far more than just how clearly you can see and whether or not you need glasses or contacts,” explained Judith Ball, Optometrist at the store. “Getting your eyes checked regularly is a crucial part of checking your overall health, as our eyes are the only place in the body where an optician can directly observe the health of your blood vessels.” “This is why routine sight tests are so important, even if you don’t wear glasses or have no symptoms. Our advanced technology at Specsavers means we can detect signs of macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and even some cancers, where, if needed, you will be referred to a specialist.” For those living with diabetes, these checks could be vital: “Some signs can’t always be seen through a standard eye test alone, so diabetic eye screenings, which use dilating drops and retinal photography, are essential,” Judith continued. And when it comes to early detection, the tech matters. “An OCT scan works like slicing a cake. Instead of just looking at the icing on top, we can see all the layers inside, helping us to detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, often years before you’d notice any symptoms.” Judith’s advice is simple: “We encourage everyone to get regular eye checks, especially with our advanced scanning, to assess the overall health of your eyes and catch any issues early before permanent damage is done.” To book a sight test or hearing check at Specsavers Coleraine, call 028 7032 6346 or visit specsavers. co.uk/stores/Coleraine.
33
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting