THIS Valentine’s Day, as couples celebrate love stories that have stood the test of time, Mary and Ady are marking a very special milestone — 50 years of marriage. Like many long marriages, theirs has been built on shared memories, quiet understanding, laughter, and conversation. But in recent years, something small yet significant began to change.
Ady’s hearing didn’t drop overnight. It crept in quietly, word by word, conversation by conversation. At first, neither of them noticed. Ady put the occasional misunderstanding down to background noise or mumbling. Mary assumed he was simply distracted.
But gradually, Mary noticed something else — Ady was becoming more withdrawn. Family gatherings felt quieter. Conversations with friends became shorter. Even at home, Ady seemed less engaged, more distant.
That’s when Mary decided it was time to act.
She encouraged Ady to have his hearing tested at Ferguson’s Hearing Aid Clinic on Catherine Street — a decision that would quietly change both of their lives.
“I never really noticed my hearing going down,” Ady admits. “But once I had my hearing tested, it was clear that I was definitely missing certain words in conversations. I’d sometimes smile to cover up the fact that I missed certain cues. In the end, I think Mary got bored of repeating herself — and thought I was ignoring her. Selective hearing, she called it,” he laughs.
Hearing loss is often exactly like this — gradual, invisible, and easy to dismiss. Common symptoms include asking people to repeat themselves, struggling to follow conversations in groups, turning up the television, or feeling tired and frustrated after social situations. Over time, it can lead to isolation — not because people want to withdraw, but because listening becomes exhausting.
Mary says the change after Ady’s visit to Ferguson’s was remarkable.
“We didn’t notice the drop in Ady’s hearing because it happened so slowly,” she explains.
“But now, with his hearing aids, it’s like having my Ady back in the room — sharp as ever. We’re both retired now, and we get to enjoy the grandkids together again. That means everything to us.”
For Ady, the experience was far easier than he ever expected.
“I was sceptical at first and didn’t realise just how easy it would be,” he says. “From the first appointment right through to the fitting of the aids and the follow-up for adjustments, the lads were first class. They made me feel comfortable and reassured me that hearing loss is a perfectly normal thing at my age — no different to an eye test. If I could say one thing, it would be that I wish I’d had my hearing tested much sooner with the lads at Ferguson’s Hearing Clinic.”
This Valentine’s Day, Mary and Ady’s story is a reminder that love lives in the little things — shared jokes, whispered comments, grandchildren’s laughter, and conversations that don’t need repeating.
If you or someone you love may be experiencing subtle changes in hearing, a simple hearing test could be the most meaningful gift of all — peace of mind, connection, and the sound of life fully restored.
Sometimes, keeping the love alive starts with listening.
To make your appointment today contact Ferguson’s Hearing Clinic at 061-313633 or www.ferghac.ie