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TV presenter John Craven reveals 'embarrassing' trip to A&E after buying hearing aid piece online

Countryfile presenter John Craven speaking on the opening day of BBC Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace near Woodstock, Oxfordshire.
Countryfile presenter John Craven revealed he bought the wrong pieces for his hearing aid online. (PA)

John Craven has revealed he was forced to visit accident and emergency after a piece of his hearing aid became stuck in his ear.

The 81-year-old Countryfile presenter told how he had learned not to take his hearing aids for granted after buying replacement pieces online.

Craven told the Mirror: "When I needed new domes I bought them online. They were the wrong fitting and one got so firmly stuck that, embarrassingly, it had to be removed in A&E."

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Domes are the bell-shaped pieces that fit into the ear canal.

Craven – well remembered for hosting CBBC's Newsround in the 70s and 80s – has opened up about how he was in denial about hearing loss for many years, before finally getting it tested and finding out he needed hearing aids fitted.

British television presenter John Craven, circa 1980. (Photo by Tim Roney/Getty Images)
John Craven is known for presenting children's show Newsround in the 80s. (Getty Images)

He said: "Once, I was travelling in a rather loud vehicle with a well-known TV personality and one of my daughters. I was in the front and found it difficult to follow their conversation.

"Afterwards, my daughter said: 'Dad, he invited you on to his show and you didn’t reply.'...

"I forced myself to face the fact that, like one in every six people in the UK, I was suffering from hearing loss."

Craven encouraged others to book a free hearing test at Specsavers if they have noticed a deterioration in their own hearing.

John Craven urged others to book a free hearing test as they had nothing to lose. (PA)
John Craven urged others to book a free hearing test as they had nothing to lose. (PA)

He said: "There is nothing to be ashamed of. Any remaining stigma attached to hearing loss needs to be challenged and wearing a hearing aid should be as socially acceptable as wearing spectacles. I am thankful and happy to wear both.

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"What I’ve learned is that there is no need to suffer in silence, or to feel isolated.

"If you notice any changes in your hearing, or in that of someone close to you, there is nothing to lose by getting it checked."

Watch: Boy hears for the first time