It is perhaps easy to take our ears for granted, often not paying them too much attention until a hearing problem begins to affect our wellbeing.

For audiologist Marina Storina, founder of Clear Hearing Solution, treating hearing issues is about more than just medicine – it's about improving your quality of life.

Now a proud sponsor of Barry Nub News, this exciting partnership will bring a range of content as we further our commitment to the community.

Located at the GoodSheds, Clear Hearing Solution offers a range of treatments including microsuction for infections and blockages, hearing aids, balance rehabilitation, children's glue ear assessments and tinnitus care.

Moscow-born Marina first trained in choreography, but always wanted to work in the medical world.

"I decided to go for it and do something I wanted to do," she said.

"It was a little too late for me to become a doctor, but I found audiology by luck and was really interested."

Studying at Swansea university, Marina took the first steps in her new career. She earned a BSc in Audiology and completed further training in treating balance disorders and rehabilitation.

After working in the NHS for over 14 years, she decided to start her own practice.

"Four years ago, I felt a massive desire to open my own business," said Marina.

"I was renting in Cowbridge, and then I had a clinical room in my house, but that wasn't practical with Covid.

"This location at the GoodSheds came up and I decided to invest. I have been here since September and it's doing well.

"Patients come from all over, and I make sure that they are satisfied with their treatment and care."

For Marina, treating hearing issues goes far beyond understanding the mechanics of the ear.

"Hearing aids can be a process of trial and error to get them right, but it's more about how you counsel patients through," explained Marina.

"Helping patients to accept hearing loss and understand how we hear takes skill.

"When we lose a particular part of any of our senses, whether it's vision, touch or hearing, it makes our brain respond in new ways.

"We actually hear in our brain, and it's very deep in our corticles, much more so than vision. When we hear, it is not just speech that we're after, it's the world around us.

"It gives us emotional connection to the world: the sound of toast in the morning, the click of the kettle, an open window to the outside world.

"So, when we fit people with hearing aids, we aim for speech because that is mainly why they've come, but activating those other acoustics is the link to success.

"Patients have described being overwhelmed to hear birdsong again, and one even said she's able to understand her grandson as he learns to speak."

Another issue Marina helps clients with is inner ear balance disorder, caused by crystals within the balance organ inside the ear.

"GPs will prescribe medication to mask the balance issues, but of course the problem is still there," said Marina.

"A lot of people feel fear with balance issues, so that's why a combined approach of physical therapy alongside auditory treatment can help.

"You help the patient to relax and understand how to tackle sound and get the best results."

It's these examples of Marina going above and beyond with treatment that set her business apart.

She is here to share the importance of ear health and how yours can be improved.

You can contact Marina at Clear Hearing Solution by clicking on the banner at the top of the page, or clicking here.