Blackberry Hearing Supports Laois Couple Facing €10,000 Hearing Aid Bill
At Blackberry Hearing, we believe hearing care should never be out of reach. Recently, we had the opportunity to help a couple whose story highlights just how difficult accessing essential hearing technology can be for many working families in Ireland.
James Reardon and Ruth McSkane, a couple from Portarlington, Co. Laois, were facing a €10,000 bill to replace their hearing devices. Their situation came to light on World Hearing Day (3 March) when the national charity for the deaf, Chime, shared their story.
A Working Family Facing a Difficult Situation
James and Ruth are both deeply committed to helping others in their daily work. Ruth works as a Special Needs Assistant at The Holy Family School for the Deaf in Cabra, while James is a healthcare assistant working in Mental Health Services in Dublin. At home, they are busy parents to three young children aged three, two and nine months.
Despite both working, the couple found themselves in a difficult position. They are above the income threshold for a medical card, meaning they do not qualify for support to replace their hearing devices — an expense that can arise every five to seven years.
Speaking about the impact, James explained that he had been using Ruth’s older hearing devices while they tried to manage the situation.
“Without hearing devices, we are essentially both isolated from our community,” he said. “We can’t talk with our neighbours, we can’t talk to our children.”
Blackberry Hearing Steps In to Help
When the team at Blackberry Hearing learned about their circumstances, we knew we wanted to help.
Managing Director Matthew Gleeson invited the couple to our Portlaoise clinic where our audiologist, Claire Bolger, carried out a full hearing assessment and worked with them to find the most appropriate hearing solutions.
“We were compelled to help,” said Matthew Gleeson. “It is deeply unfair that a working couple who themselves support others in healthcare and education are left struggling to afford essential hearing technology.”
Raising Awareness of Hearing Health
World Hearing Day is an important moment each year to highlight the importance of hearing health. This year’s theme also shines a light on paediatric hearing care, at a time when thousands of children across Ireland are waiting for hearing assessments through the HSE.
At Blackberry Hearing, our audiologists provide comprehensive hearing assessments for both adults and children, using advanced technology to deliver accurate results and personalised solutions.
Investing in Advanced Hearing Technology
We are proud to work with leading global hearing technology providers including Widex, Signia and Philips, ensuring our patients have access to some of the most advanced hearing solutions available today.
Since our founding in 2015, Blackberry Hearing has grown into one of Ireland’s leading hearing healthcare providers. Today, we operate more than 60 clinics nationwide, including seven dedicated stores in Portlaoise, Maynooth, Naas, Ballincollig, Gorey, Mallow and Dún Laoghaire.
Our Commitment to Hearing Care in Ireland
Our mission remains simple: to improve quality of life for people experiencing hearing loss by providing expert care, innovative technology and accessible hearing solutions across Ireland.
Stories like James and Ruth’s remind us why hearing healthcare matters so much, because hearing connects us to our families, our communities and the moments that matter most.
