"Medical problems in both ears continued so much so that hearing aids became a nuisance," he said. "If you cannot hear you cannot make proper decisions around the table, and with such a fast moving job as district mayor, it was necessary to hand over the reins."
Ellis said he'd had hearing problems since birth and more recently has found it quite debilitating.
"You cannot have a conversation in crowds or with background noise, and people who do not have this unseen problem find it difficult to understand what you go through," he said.
" I attended a workshop at the Hub in Dannevirke 10 days ago and was amazed how hearing aids and systems had progressed. Anne [Greatbatch] had already booked me in to the original audiologist and a visit last week has certainly made me realise that with modern technology I can be helped again. I am off for a fitting this week."
The key message behind hearing awareness week, which runs until March 9, is that it's never too early to start looking after your hearing.
And Greatbatch couldn't agree more.
"When people experience hearing loss they can feel quite isolated," she said.
Hearing is quite complex, Greatbatch said, and young farmers - who often worked in noisy environments - did not tend to have hearing checks.
"But if they were in other industries, such as construction, they will have had a hearing check earlier in life," she said. "That baseline information is very helpful because you will know if there's a change and people need to be informed."
Greatbatch said anyone can make an appointment to have a free check, even if they do not have an issue yet.
Ellis said he understood the frustration of those around people suffering hearing loss.
"Out there in the rural, contracting and industrial world there are many men driving their wives mad with hearing loss.
''There is no shame in being deaf, so do something about it," he said.
FREE WORKSHOPS
• Designed for people over 16 with hearing loss and their supporters.
• Learn communication strategies to reduce hearing difficulties in daily life.
• March 15, April 12 and May 10 at 19 McPhee St, Dannevirke. 1.30pm to 3pm.
• Each workshop is limited to 10 people.
• Life Unlimited Hearing is a free, national organisation funded by the Ministry of Health.
• Phone 0800 008011 to register for one of the Dannevirke workshops, or email anneg@lifeunlimited.net.nz
* For a free hearing check at a Dannevirke clinic, phone 0800 008011.