Digital hearing aids Chesterfield - Derbyshire digital hearing aids

Digital hearing aids Chesterfield - Derbyshire digital hearing aids

Chesterfield has a population of 71,000 and is situated just 24 miles North of Derby. Originally the area held an Iron Age fort, but this was replaced by a Roman site in around 70AD and it is on this site that the town now stands. During the Middle Ages the towns’ main industry was wool making and it also had an important leather industry. Chesterfield market was awarded its Market Charter in 1204 and these days it holds around 250 stalls, making it one of the largest open air markets in Britain. You’ll be sure to grab a bargain, even if you aren’t in the market for wool or leather! The Domesday Book records of 1086 show the town as being called ‘Cesterfield’, meaning ‘open field’, which perhaps suggests it has always been a successful market town.

If you prefer sport to retail therapy then why not watch a match at Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium? Home to Chesterfield F.C or ‘The Spireites’, the stadium holds 10,500 people and cost 13m to complete. The club gained its nickname  ‘The Spireites’ from Chesterfield’s world famous landmark the Crooked Spire which stands on top of the Church of St Mary and All Saints, a predominantly 14th C church. The spire stands 70m high and leans 2.89m South West, with the spiral twisting 45° West to East. Folklore has it that a blacksmith mis-shod the Devil who then leapt over the spire in pain, knocking it out of shape. More realistic theories suggest different reasons for the unique shape of the spire; the absence of skilled craftsmen, the use of unseasoned timber and insufficient cross bracing have all been put forward, although we prefer the Devil theory!

Football isn’t the only sport that the people of Chesterfield like to get involved with. Clayton’s of Chesterfield are a leading cricket ball manufacturer, supplying balls for test match cricket and famous sportsmen such as Thomas Gascoyne, Nigel Illingworth and John Lukic were born and raised in the town.

Match of the day!
If you like to keep on top the latest sports news but struggle to hear the scores on the radio don’t worry, we’re here to help. Many peoples hearing is impaired, but with our help you’ll soon have no problem keeping up with the game, regardless of the sport you follow.

Our expert team knows exactly how to help you, so why not get in touch with us on 01782 698090 to find out about our free audiology tests.  You can also read more here.

Don’t be afraid, you don’t have to suffer in silence and there are many reasons why a digital hearing aid might benefit you in your daily life. So get in touch today, and find out how we can help you hear things a little more clearly.

All aboard!
The town benefitted greatly from the building of the Chesterfield line that began in 1837 and provided transport links to London, Newcastle and Edinburgh among other places. George Stephenson, the ‘father of railways’ himself oversaw the project and liked the town so much he stayed in Tapton House until his death in 1848.

His body is interred under the altar at Holy Trinity Church and in 2006 a statue was erected in his honour outside Chesterfield Railway Station.

And a ram in a pomegranate tree!
Ok, so it’s not the traditional Christmas carol but Chesterfield’s crest really does depict a Derby ram and a pomegranate tree. The ram represents the towns’ location and the stylised pomegranate tree shows the towns’ loyalty to the crown. A mural crown in the centre of the crest declares the towns’ borough status and the cock bird and pynot, or magpie; represent those who met to conspire against James II at the Cock and Pynot Inn, now Revolution House, in 1688.

Chesterfield’s motto is ‘aspire’, a punning reference to its most famous landmark.

Fancy a pint?
Chesterfield boasts one of Britain’s oldest public houses, The Royal Oak, and the rest of the nightlife isn’t bad either! Noted for the variety and number of venues in a reasonably compact area the town has it all, from bars and restaurants to nightclubs and theatres.

In 2006 the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) hosted the first ever international gluten free beer festival as part of the towns’ regular beer festival.

And whether you want pop tunes or classical music the multi-purpose Winding Wheel is the place to be. This venue has hosted stars such as Bob Geldof, The Proclaimers and Patrick McGinness. The Chesterfield Symphony Orchestra also performs concerts here three times a year.

Famous faces of Chesterfield
• Steven Blakely – Heartbeat actor
• Pete Dodd & Jon Podgorski – members of 1980’s band ‘The Thompson Twins’
• Simon Groom – former Blue peter presenter
• Rik Makarem – Emmerdale actor
• Jason Statham – Hollywood star and former champion diver
• Mark Webber – guitarist in Pulp

It’s amazing the things you can find using the internet these days, but if you’d struggle to hear a documentary about Chesterfield’s history then maybe it’s time to get your hearing checked. Our friendly team are here to help and you can read more about what we do simply by clicking here.

Give us a call today on 01782 698090 and look forward to a brighter, clearer future.

Digital Hearing Aids Derby – Digital Hearing Aids Derbyshire

Digital Hearing Aids Derby – Digital Hearing Aids Derbyshire

Derby has had big connections with many well known people over the centuries from Bonnie Prince Charlie and Florence Nightingale to Brian Clough.  A town so steeped in history is bound to have these famous connections.

Derby can’t be sure how it got its name although there are several theories.  Maybe the name comes from the River Derwent on which it is situated?  Or from the original Roman settlement Derventio (now Little Chester) or even from the Anglo Saxon Deoraby meaning ‘village of the deer’?

Significantly Derby is also the home of the Royal School for the Deaf which has a big education programme for British Sign Language.  It is thought that because of this many hard-of-hearing people have moved to the area over the years.  Its hearing impaired population is approximately 3 times higher than other places in the UK apart from London.

Is this you?
Are you hard-of-hearing? Or has your capacity to hear clearly diminished?  Hearing loss can occur for many reasons: the aging process, a one-off loud noise, exposure to continued noise in a working or other environment and of course it can be hereditary.

For most people it isn’t as drastic as needing to learn sign language, the first evidence of which dates right back to the 16th century.  Most of the time here at Castle Comfort Hearing Aids we can offer help.  We offer free assessments to measure the hearing impairment in both of your ears by professional, trained audiologists.  From their assessment we can offer a range of digital hearing aids to help you to hear better.  If you’d like to know more please give us a call on 01782 69 80 90.

Bonnie Prince Charlie
Charles Edward Stuart aka Bonnie Prince Charlie aka The Young Pretender was the son of James Stuart, who in turn was the son of James VII and II (Scotland and England respectively).  He stopped off in Derby on his way south to claim the thrown of England.  Whilst in Derby he stayed at Exeter House, long since demolished.  His visit is commemorated by a statue of Charles on a horse which stands in Cathedral Green.  In fact he did not continue his journey south as there were rumours of a large army waiting for him.

Industrialisation
Derby was centre for industrialisation in the 18th and 19th centuries.  They had the first water-powered silk mill in England.  One of these mills is now an Industrial Museum exhibiting examples of machinery and more from the period.

Jedediah Strutt a famous industrialist is responsible for developing the Derby Rib attachment which could produce ribbed stockings – another first.  He joined with several other hosiers from Derby to form a company that eventually funded a cotton spinning mill for Richard Arkwright.  This was another first, as the mill they were involved with was the first water-powered cotton spinning mill in the country.  Previous mills were driven by horses.  By the end of the 18th century Strutt had 7 mills.

The cotton and silk industries ensured a need for skilled machine and tool makers and in the next century the emphasis was more on engineering.  James Fox a tool maker and engineer worked in the area and supplied tools to Russia as well as locally.  The railways also spread during this century and Derby was home to Derby Railway Works where locomotives and rolling stock were designed and manufactured.

Did you know....
... that Samuel Plimsoll who invented the Plimsoll Line was once an MP for Derby?  The Plimsoll Line is the official mark on the hull of ship dictating the highest point that the water should rise to when the ship is fully loaded.  It was championed by Plimsoll after great losses at sea and the need for some regulation.

... that Dr Johnson who created the English Dictionary was married in Derby?  He was born in nearby Lichfield and his wife was Elizabeth Porter.  They married at St Werburgh’s Church in the city in 1735.  Johnson Dictionary as it was often referred to wasn’t the first, but it was the first that recorded spoken English rather than just technical or unusual words.  The necessity for a dictionary was due to the fact that more of the population were literate and of course printing and book binding had advanced.  Johnson was commissioned to write the dictionary by several publishers.  He said he could do it in 3 years but in fact it took him 9.

... Erasmus Darwin, grandfather of the more famous Charles lived in Lichfield?  Erasmus was a doctor, scientist and philosopher.  He founded the Lunar Society of Birmingham, a group of prominent thinkers in the Midlands Enlightenment.

... that John Whitehurst was a frequent visitor to Derby from his home in Lichfield?  He founded the Derby Philosophical Society.  He was also a member of the Lunar Society and made clocks.

... that Joseph Wright aka Wright of Derby lived in the town?  He was a landscape and portrait artist.  He is known for his use of light in his paintings and also for being the first artist to capture the mood of new industrialised society in his works.

... that there is a stained glass window dedicated to Florence Nightingale in St Peter’s Church?  It was originally in the chapel at Derby’s Royal Infirmary.  Florence’s father’s family owned the Lea Hurst Estate in Derbyshire.

More modern sons and daughters of fame
·         Rolls Royce founders Sir Henry Royce and Charles Rolls opened a car and aircraft factory in Derby at the beginning of the 20th century


·         Famous classical actor Alan Bates known for his rolls in Women in Love, Look Back in Anger, Far from the Madding Crowd and many more, came from Derby


·         Brian Clough and Peter Taylor were a football management duo following their footballing careers.  They managed several clubs – Taylor was Clough’s assistant – including Derby FC.  Clough was outspoken and often caused controversy


·         Melissa Reid, professional golfer is from Derby

·         One of the Skins stars, Jack O’Connell also comes from here.  You might also have seen Jack in Waterloo Road, Holby City and Wire in the Blood

·         Stephen Marley is a novelist and video game designer from Derby.  He’s best known for his Chia Black Dragon fantasy books


Have you heard enough?
We’ve only skimmed the surface of Derby but it’s time to go.  Just remember that if you always need people to repeat what they’ve said or you are missing the punch lines of jokes, then it’s time to get your hearing checked.  Don’t forget we offer hearing tests for free.

Take a look at how others have found our service and if you’d like to know more, please give us a call on 01782 69 80 90.  Of course if you think you might not catch what we say, get a loved one to call or send us an email on your behalf.  Either way the sooner you do it, the sooner we can help you to improve your hearing with a hearing aid if necessary.

Digital hearing aids Buxton and Leek – Digital hearing aids Derbyshire

Digital hearing aids Buxton and Leek – Digital hearing aids Derbyshire

We’re sure you’ve heard or at least read about some of the most famous Buxtonians before, but we thought we’d refresh your memories.

One of the most revered was author Vera Brittain who wrote Testament of Youth all about her experiences of the First World War.  She lost a dear brother and two friends to the ravages of this horrendous war and never really recovered from the impact.  She was a feminist and became a pacifist, but also gave birth to the famous labour politician Shirley Williams.  Vera moved to Buxton when she was 11.

Tim Brooke-Taylor was born in Buxton and found fame as a comedian.  It all started when he was at Cambridge studying Economics and Politics.  He joined the Cambridge Footlights and met fellow comedians John Cleese, Bill Oddie and Graham Chapman.  The rest as they say is history.  Brooke-Taylor is probably best known for the comic TV series The Goodies with Bill Oddie and Graeme Garden.  And more recently for radio series I’m Sorry I haven’t a Clue.

1980s singer-songwriter Lloyd Cole also claims the town as his birthplace.  He formed Lloyd Cole & the Commotions whilst at Glasgow University and went on to have 4 charting LPs.  After that Cole went solo and is still performing to this day.  Cole now lives in America with his wife and two sons.

Heading down the list of the famous names of Buxton we find retired English footballer Mark Higgins who also played for Everton, Man U, Stoke City and Bury.

Another famous sportsman from here is Carl Mason, a professional golfer.  Back in 1980 he tied for 4th place with Jack Nicklaus in the Open championships.  More recently since turning 50 he has had success playing with the Seniors in PGA European Tours.  In his first tour he won 4 of his 11 events and won the European Senior Masters in 2007.  The same year he achieved highest career earner status with an income of €412,376.  The same year he won the PGA Seniors Championship.

The late RSC actress Elizabeth Spriggs hailed from Buxton too as did the late Disney film director Robert Stevenson.  He moved to California in the 1940s and although he directed many Disney films, the one he is most famed for is Mary Poppins.

Dave Lee Travis, DLT or the Hairy Monster, a Radio 1 DJ was also born in Buxton.  He began his very successful DJ career on Pirate Radio Station, Radio Caroline.

Coronation Street’s one time Todd Grimshaw, the first openly gay character was played by Bruno Langley who grew up in Buxton.

Losing your hearing
We’re sure there are many famous Buxtonians you would like to hear perform.  Is your hearing letting you down though?  Many of us suffer with loss of hearing as we get older, but age isn’t the only cause.  You could suffer hearing loss if you’ve been close to a very loud explosion or been exposed to loud noise over a long period of time.  Often these causes mean we lose our hearing slowly over a period of years.  It is sometimes hard to admit that your hearing isn’t as good as it used to be and get some help.

At Hearing Aids we recommend that you take 5 steps to hearing better.  These are:

·         Actually admitting that you have a hearing problem
·         Decide once and for all to seek help with the problem
·         Learn all about your hearing problem
·         Be positive about the options, but don’t expect more than can be achieved
·         Lastly practice, time and patience are needed

Why not give us a call or get someone to call for you on 01782 69 80 90.

What’s great about Buxton?
It’s a spa town for a start and claims to be the ‘highest’ market town in England.  It’s a geothermal spring that marks Buxton as a spa town and has done for many years.  The warm spring is piped into a shrine for St Ann at St Ann’s Well in the centre of the town.  The water is always 28°C and every year the well is decorated for well-dressing weekend when the whole town takes on a carnival atmosphere.

The Buxton Ten
The well is only one of a number of buildings of great interest in the town of Buxton.  These include:
1.       The Crescent built to mimic Bath’s Royal Crescent in the 18th century is Grade I listed.  After a somewhat chequered career the building is now being developed as a luxury 5* hotel with a thermal mineral water spa, natural baths, a visitor interpretation centre and shops.  The project is not expected to complete until 2015.
2.       The monument at St Ann’s Well is not very old, but it is built on the site of wells that have been there since Roman times.  The spring water is also bottled and sold as natural mineral water, aptly known as Buxton Mineral Water.
3.       The 18th century Devonshire Dome is now part of the University of Derby’s campus but it has been a hospital in its time.  The dome is unsupported and was once the largest of its kind, beating more famous domes such as The Pantheon, St Peter’s Basilica in Rome and St Paul’s Cathedral in London.  This record has now been surpassed by modern space frame domes.
4.       Buxton Opera House is only just over a century old and is the highest opera house in the UK.  A strange but true fact.  The Opera House has full programs of events including the annual International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival.  The Pavilion Gardens are attached to the Opera House.
5.       Joseph Paxton who designed Crystal Palace was also responsible for the design of Buxton Railway Station.
6.       The Natural Baths are on the site of the old Roman Baths at the end of The Crescent.  They are Grade II listed.
7.       At the opposite end of The Crescent you’ll find The Pump Room where visitors could ‘take the waters’ as recently as 1981.  It is right next door to St Ann’s Well.
8.       The 19th century Palace Hotel is on the hill behind the railway station and is still operated as a hotel.
9.       The Old Hall Hotel owned by the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury is the oldest building in the town dating back to the 17th century.
10.   High on hills overlooking Buxton stand 2 monuments.  Grinlow Tower is a folly built in the 19th century and nick-named Solomon’s Temple.  In the opposite direction, Corbar Cross stands tall on Corbar Hill.  This simple wooden cross was given to the Roman Catholic Church in 1950 but was replaced in the 1980s.  During Pope Benedict XVI’s visit in 2010, the cross was cut down.  It was replaced by a slightly smaller cross in the summer of 2011.

Dealing with hearing loss

If you are still concerned about how much or little you can hear, take a look at our website and see if you recognise any of the symptoms.  This  will help you to identify whether or not you need a hearing check.  In fact when in doubt go for it – a test can’t hurt and can certainly assess what can be done to help.

We have a wide range of hearing aids and other accessories to make your life easier and let you hear more clearly.  Get in touch with us today either by emailing us or telephoning 01782 69 80 90   We look forward to hearing from you!