News presenter Lewis Vaughan Jones tells of hearing loss

News presenter Lewis Vaughan Jones has revealed that he has lost the hearing in his left ear.

Lewis posted an image to his 4,000 followers on Twitter of him wearing his hearing aid on air for the first time.

“A bit of personal news: A few months ago I lost my hearing in my left ear. It was a bit of a shock, and unfortunately it’s permanent. Today I wore my hearing aid on air for the first time,” said Lewis.

“My sudden hearing loss is unexplained. Doctors say it’s rare but not unheard of (pun definitely intended). My brain is now learning how to hear with a hearing aid. At the moment there’s lots of distortion.

“With hearing loss has come tinnitus, which is a constant loud tone in my ear. It’s awful. I can go for hours without thinking about it but when it’s there, it’s horrible.

“There’s a problem with my other ear too but they won’t operate in case I lose my hearing completely. Btw, the doctors have been brilliant.

“I started a lip reading course and the class has bantz

“At one point I thought I’d have to give up TV presenting but both the BBC and ITN have been brilliant and nothing but supportive. Thank you to them.

“I know there are plenty of worse things out there and I’m certainly not complaining. If you see me looking confused anywhere, please don’t think I’m ignoring you. If you speak up and move your lips when you talk, so I can understand you, that would be super kind! Thanks.

Lewis – who is married to CNN Presenter Hannah Vaughan Jones – presents on BBC World News, BBC News Channel and ITV National News.