I think you often don’t realize what you’re not hearing until you can hear well. I’m Leslie Falkiner-Rose. I live in Melbourne. I’m a writer, a former journalist. I do strategic communications, digital content creation, a bit of everything, really.

I do recall going to restaurant fairly recently where it was so noisy that I actually telephoned the person across the table, and talked to them on my phone, because I couldn’t hear them. Part of me can’t be bothered putting up with that much noise. But the other part of me really couldn’t hear.

The audiologist who tested my hearing suggested the earbuds. He said, I think they might solve your problem. The guy knows what he’s talking about.

I think they’re fantastic. I’ve used them on planes, trains, buses, to not hear my own family.

I’m picking up a whole lot of small noises that I didn’t even know I was missing. I went to a Yum Cha in a very busy, busy, busy restaurant. Suddenly, I could hear a person on the other side of the table. I haven’t been ever able to do that.

Having that ability to personalize them is fantastic. The TV watching experience, I can, on my phone, adjust the sound to the level I want without it affecting the levels everyone else in the room hears. Good for family relationships.

Their noise canceling ability is terrific, as I have found out since rather noisy renovations started next door when I’m trying to work. Digging out a swimming pool, someone else had a saw. It goes, World Off, and I’m just–

–dead quiet. I’ve used all sorts of headphones, Bose, Sennheiser, Airpods. The big difference with these is the ability to personalize it. They’re more comfortable. They stay in better. And the noise cancelling is a lot better.

They’ve sort of become my device for talking on the phone. And they’re also great when you’re editing video. Being able to hear as clearly as possible is vital, I think. I need to be able to see, and I need to able to hear.

They are such an essential part of your life.

May 3rd, 2021