Ear test intended to prove she wasn’t deaf led to discovery of profound loss

Patricia Broom went for a hearing test at Boots to show her husband she could hear, but was told she had profound hearing loss in one ear and moderate loss in the other; she now uses hearing aids and is fundraising with a one million step challenge for the deaf charity RNID.

Patricia Broom, a 54-year-old church organist and wellbeing officer, booked a hearing appointment at Boots intending to prove to her husband that her hearing was fine. The test instead identified profound hearing loss in one ear and some loss in the other, and further tests and scans were carried out at Inverclyde Royal Hospital's audiology department. She now uses hearing aids in both ears and says they have improved her ability to understand people and reduced the mental fatigue of constant lip-reading. Patricia has since launched a charity fundraiser and is leading weekly wellbeing walks with support from her employer and from RNID. Known details: - Patricia reported watching television at very high volume and relying on lip-reading for years before testing. - A Boots hearing test identified profound hearing loss in her right ear and moderate loss in the other. - Further audiology tests and scans were carried out at Inverclyde Royal Hospital. - She now wears hearing aids in both ears and describes reduced exhaustion and improved social understanding. - Patricia has started a One Million Step fundraising challenge for RNID and leads Cloch Housing’s weekly wellbeing walks from the Beacon Arts Centre. Summary: The discovery changed how Patricia manages daily life and prompted engagement with support services such as RNID and NHS audiology. She is continuing her fundraiser, aiming to reach one million steps by the end of May while running weekly community walks as part of the initiative.