Wales Deaf Rugby Union

Identifying hearing loss doesn't happen overnight and as Wales Deaf's rising star discovered, it certainly needn't take 15 years.

When Celyn was at primary school in Treorchy, his parents noticed he was struggling with his hearing, but a visit to his GP shed little light on his difficulties.

Despite a history of hearing loss in his family and the results of a primitive test, the GP declared Celyn fit and well.

Proving that he could cope with the impairment, he progressed to university and graduated with a degree in Sports, Bio-Medicine and Nutrition.

Selected for the Wales under 16 rugby team and already playing for Treorchy RFC, it was assumed that Celyn would go on to play rugby at a higher level for Wales.

His coach however, noticed that during a game, Celyn would fail to notice the developmentof play on his right side and would frequently miss opportunities.  Celyn knew this was because of his hearing loss but didn't confess as he feared it would indicate a flaw in his ability.

As a result, his rugby career stagnated.  He was a good, solid player, but considered unable to play at the top level.

It wasn't until one of his Treorchy team-mates spoke to him on a bus ride to an away match that the idea of deaf rugby occured to Celyn.  His team-mate had played for the Deaf team for a while and suggested that Celyn take a 'qualifiying' hearing test to confirm that he suffered from hearing loss of more than 25db.

The test with Mal Johnston of The Hearing Company, Bridgend, confirmed that he suffered from severe hearing loss in his right ear.  The Hearing Company and Siemens have now provided Celyn with a sophisticated Bluetooth-enabled aid for his right ear, which sits securely in the ear canal.

Speaking at the presentation, Celyn said: "I always knew I had a problem, but kept quiet about it.  My mates teased me and that was without me even admitting I was struggling.  Having help from the Hearing Company and Siemens has literally changed my life.  I can't believe I have struggled for nearly 15 years.  I have been given my life back."

Managing Director of the Hearing Company, Mal Johnston, said: "In my role, I see many people who have struggled with their hearing and it's always gratifying to help them.  It's a great moment whe we first fit someone with a hearing aid, but with Celyn, it was even more special.  His hearing loss wasn't just affecting his quality of life, but also holding him back professionally.  The care and advice we were able to give him has got him back on to the international rugby stage where he deserves to be."

Pictured at the unveiling in Bridgend are, from left to right, Mal Johnston, Celyn Ashton, Simon Jarvis (Siemens Hearing Instruments) and James Evans (Wales Deaf Captain)