6 days Ago
Former Ipswich Town footballer Russell Osman is trying to end the stigma around having hearing aids after talking about his own difficulties with tinnitus. The England international, who played nearly 400 games for the Tractor Boys, has become the first hearing ambassador for All About Hearing, a provider of hearing care solutions in Ipswich. He said had been experiencing tinnitus and hearing problems for a few years, but did not know who to speak to about it, while a "little bit of vanity" was preventing him from seeking help.
READ MORE: From Town glory to discovering Tyrone Mings and working in India – Osman’s fascinating journey However, he knew Karen Finch, who runs All About Hearing with her son Matthew Coward, as she attends Ipswich matches. Karen Finch runs All About Hearing with her son Matthew Coward. (Image: All About Hearing) He decided to contact her about his hearing issues after listening to the Life's A Pitch podcast, which he appears on and is sponsored by All About Hearing.
The Blues legend said: "I spoke to Karen about trying to sort the tinnitus problem to start with and she said 'well, let's do one or two tests and see if there are any areas where we can improve or where it is down on where it should be.' "I was a little bit surprised about how quickly I could put a finger on the problem and start to do something about it. READ MORE: Blues legends Osman and Butcher on hand to re-launch Suffolk golf course "And thanks to her and overcoming the stigma of wearing hearing aids, it was not too long until I started feeling the benefits of it.
I could have done it a while ago." He added the benefits he had experienced included being able to hear people in loud environments and even birds singing in the distance and enjoy being social when out golfing. Russell Osman (right) opening the Red Lion in Martlesham with fellow Blues Legend Terry Butcher.
(Image: Chef & Brewer) Mr Osman, who also played for Leicester City and Southampton, compared hearing aids to wearing glasses and said a former team mate of his at Southampton, Jimmy Case, used to wear hearing aids at a time when few people did. READ MORE: Osman on Mariner: 'He didn't follow anyone, people followed him' READ MORE: Ipswich news However, he said tinnitus had not affected his own playing days. He said: "The benefits of having them are astronomical and obviously we want more and more people to come forward and not worry about the stigma of it.
"You wear glasses to improve your eyesight, so what's wrong with wearing hearing aids to improve your hearing?" Mr Coward said he and his mum were thrilled to have Mr Osman as their very first hearing ambassador. He added: "His firsthand experience and his passion for encouraging others to act sooner than he did, will undoubtedly inspire others to seek help.”.
