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Mark Wright & his dad: a life-changing hearing journey

Boots Hearingcare’s new campaign highlights the impact of untreated hearing loss and encourages people to take action

TV & radio star Mark Wright and his dad, Snr Mark Wright, have teamed up with Boots Hearingcare to share an important message this World Hearing Day (3 March)don’t ignore your hearing loss. If not for yourself, do it for your loved ones.

For over ten years, Big Mark struggled with gradual hearing loss—constantly asking people to repeat themselves and turning up the TV volume. Like many others, he brushed it off, unaware of just how much he was missing. It wasn’t until his son Mark and wife Carol encouraged him to get tested that he finally took action—and the results were life-changing.

"You sound just like when we met" – Snr Mark's emotional moment

During his hearing test at Boots Hearingcare Romford, Snr Mark was fitted with Phonak Infinio hearing aids. The moment he clearly heard Carol’s voice again, he was overwhelmed:

"You sound just like when we met."

That simple moment made him realise the impact of his hearing loss—not just on himself, but on the people he loves. Since getting his hearing aids, Snr Mark says his life has completely changed:

“I didn’t think my hearing loss was too bad, but when I put the hearing aids in, everything sounded so crisp and clear. I couldn’t believe how much I’d been missing out on.”

Breaking the stigma around hearing aids

Snr Mark isn’t alone. Research from Boots Hearingcare reveals that 18 million adults in the UK live with hearing lossyet three million have left it untreated. On average, people wait ten years before booking a hearing test—often due to stigma, embarrassment, or denial.

Even Mark Wright admitted he was surprised by his dad’s reluctance:

“If you think a family member is struggling to hear, have a chat with them about it. Even if they hear just 5% or 10% better, it’s going to improve their life.”

Since getting his hearing aids, Snr Mark has noticed a huge difference—whether watching football in the pub with Mark or chatting in busy environments.

The reality of untreated hearing loss

Research from Boots Hearingcare found:

46% of people with untreated hearing loss have stopped socialising due to difficulty hearing.
74% believe there’s still a stigma around hearing aids.
23% say untreated hearing loss has negatively affected their mental health.
27% feel it has impacted their relationships with family and friends.

The good news? Modern hearing aids are more advanced, comfortable, and discreet than ever. Many, like Snr Mark’s, even connect via Bluetooth to smartphones, making them easy to use for calls, music, and everyday life.

Time to take action – book your free hearing test

Hearing loss doesn’t just affect you—it affects the people around you. That’s why Boots Hearingcare is launching the Do It For Them campaign, encouraging people to prioritise their hearing health this year.

If you’ve noticed:

  • Struggling to hear conversations
  • Turning up the TV volume
  • Difficulty hearing in noisy environments

It’s time to take action. Book your free hearing test today.