The Emotional Stages of Hearing Loss

Experiencing a myriad of emotions from denial, sadness and fear to eventually acceptance, is normal and a natural part of the emotional stages of hearing loss.

Here are the stages that one with hearing loss goes through, as I see it...

STAGE ONE | DENIAL

When normal hearing begins to decline, a natural reaction is for the person to compensate by trying to alter their environment to suit their loss. They may turn up the volume on the TV or radio disregarding complaints from their family members. They may ask their partners to answer the phone thereby avoiding the embarrassment of not being able to understand whoever is on the other end. They may blame others instead of acknowledging their hearing loss  i.e. “If people didn’t mumble, I would be able to hear them!”

STAGE TWO | WITHDRAWL

Hearing loss causes a person psychological hurt and grief. Over time, it also causes intolerance to social interactions, and reduced stimulation to the auditory system can result in a rapid decline of speech recognition. A way to deal with this is to avoid embarrassing situations, such as social occasions where there are likely to be lots of people or background noise.

STAGE THREE | ANGER

A hearing loss left untreated can cause the person suffering to become bad-tempered and the family may say he/she has become difficult to live with.

The person becomes less tolerant of others because of the frustrations and comments focused upon them.

STAGE FOUR | DEPRESSION

All these factors can eventually lead to the person becoming depressed. Low self-esteem, the loss of social interaction, suspicion of others, the inability to do easily what used to be problem free, isolation and loneliness become a part of daily life that wears the person down. It’s really tiring!

STAGE FIVE | ACCEPTANCE

When a person finally reaches this stage, they can then make the transition to seeking treatment with hearing aids, and auditory rehabilitation. A visit to a qualified audiologist will be the first stage on the road to hearing well again and ‘getting their life back’. A thorough test will be performed and hearing instruments prescribed where suitable. It can take up to ten years for someone to reach this stage.

Does any of this sound familiar to you? Which stage are you or your loved one at? How long did the process take you? Please let me know your experiences by posting in the comments box below.

For more information on hearing loss please visit www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk

Hear better than ever with Siemens binax hearing aids

Siemens is lifting binaural hearing systems to a new level. For the first time, hearing-impaired individuals can now hear better than those with normal hearing in particularly demanding listening situations*.

Despite their enormous computing power, the new Binax instruments are the most energy-efficient in their class.

Binax exchanges audio signals. Each binaural hearing aid can assess the acoustic environment not only on its own side, but also on the other. In the process, four microphones – two in each device – form a virtual eight-microphone network. New calculation methods work much like the human brain in leveraging the fact that voice signals don't reach both ears at the same speed or volume. Based on such differences, wearers can more accurately identify and focus on the sources of sound.

Binaural hearing aids also use this new technology in windy locations ideal for those golfers and outdoor patients. They automatically determine which side is receiving better signals and replicate them for the other device. These latest Siemens binaural hearing aids are capable of transmitting around a thousand times as much data per second as preceding models.

The new peak performance does not come at the expense of battery life and they can run on conventional hearing instrument batteries or, depending on the model, on rechargeable batteries.

Karen's comments: “We have had amazing success with the last Siemens technology platform called Micon and this new level is so exciting. My team and I can't wait to get started and see how this technology performs and improves peoples lives.”

If you would like to be amongst the first trialling these new instruments, please give our customer care team a call and book your appointment - Freephone 0800 096 2637.

FACT: These latest Siemens binaural hearing aids are capable of transmitting around a thousand times as much data per second as preceding models.

*Two clinical studies have shown that binax provides better than normal hearing in certain demanding environments (Northern Colorado University, 2014; Oldenburg Hörzentrum, 2013): Speech Reception Thresholds in cocktail-party situations improved up to 2.9dB for wearers with mild to moderate hearing loss using Carat binax or Pure binax hearing instruments with narrow directionality, compared to people with normal hearing.

Don’t allow hearing loss to isolate you this holiday season!

The holiday season is well and truly here! For most of us, December is full of parties, catching up with family and friends and lots of Christmas shopping.

For those with untreated hearing loss, however, the festive season can be full of loud and daunting situations. When you feel like you can’t contribute to a conversation or understand what is being said, social occasions become intimidating and stressful, and isolation is often the result. The festive season can be a particularly lonely time for those who haven’t yet sought treatment for declining hearing.

It takes an average of five to ten years for people in the UK with a recognised hearing loss to decide to get a hearing aid. This long delay can be due to a number of factors: many don’t realise how bad their hearing has become, while others are concerned with a perceived stigma surrounding hearing aids. Some simply can’t afford to invest in hearing aids, whilst others tell themselves, “I’ll do something about my hearing loss when it gets really bad.”

Untreated hearing loss can lead to isolation for a number of reasons. One might start declining social invitations because they are too embarrassed to constantly ask people to repeat themselves. Even going to dinner with family members can be isolating, as it’s often hard for people with hearing loss to hear anything over background noise. This can be frustrating and depressing, so eventually it’s easier to just say ‘no thanks’ to invitations.

Making phone calls or answering the phone when it rings can also be difficult for those with untreated hearing loss. Talking on the phone can be much more difficult than having a face-to-face conversation, as there is the added difficulty of not being able to lip-read. Gradually, phone calls go unanswered and messages are not returned.

These combined issues can lead to loneliness and largely unnecessary isolation.

What can you do to reduce isolation this Christmas?

If you are experiencing isolation due to hearing loss, do not wait for another holiday season to pass you by. It is important to get out there and have fun! This time of year is full of joyful celebrations and events and you should be able to take part.

Hearing aids are amazing devices that can improve your quality of life dramatically. Book an appointment with your local audiologist to have a hearing test and discuss your options. It might be that a set of hearing aids could dramatically increase the fun you will have this year!

For more information on hearing loss, visit www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk

Ear Safety This Guy Fawkes Night

The days and nights around Fireworks Night are extremely hazardous to your ears. Fireworks can cost you your hearing.

For the lucky ones, their hearing returns, but many must live with their hearing loss or tinnitus for the rest of their lives. There is no cure for noise induced hearing damage. But you can easily prevent it.

Two thousandth of a second is all it takes for an exploding firecracker to put out the noise intensity to put your hearing at risk for life. The burst of noise is so short that you may not sense its true intensity.

Perhaps you love the thrill of fireworks, but you better watch out and be aware that*:

• 1 in 10,000 people suffer permanent hearing damage because of fireworks
• Young adults under the age of 25 are three times more likely than other groups to suffer fireworks related hearing damage
• The loud sounds from fireworks can cause hearing loss if protection is not used. The noise levels produced by fireworks can reach 150-175dB. The recommendation from World Health Organisation is not to be exposed to more than 140dB of peak sound pressure for adults and 120dB for children.
• Infants generally experience the greatest sound pressure and should not be exposed to fireworks.

Take Precautions

Guy Fawkes Night will be celebrated but take care of yourself and each other. Use earplugs to protect your hearing. Simple off the shelf ear plugs would do the trick and for the little ones there are fantastic, inexpensive noise breaker ear defenders - which look pretty cool also.

Make sure that no one else is standing too close when you light the fuse of your fireworks. Most of those suffering hearing damage did not cause it themselves. They suffered the bad luck of being too close to the fireworks of others.

If dealing with fireworks of 170 dB, adults needs to be 15 to 20 meters away from the fireworks before they are at a safe distance, while children have to be 50 to 60 meters away from the same fireworks.

*These conclusions were based on a study of hearing injuries related to fireworks celebrations in Germany, 2000.

The Costs of Hearing Aids Explained

Last month I was asked by a new patient why hearing aids are more expensive than glasses and I realised that my answers to this question may help others too.  This subject has evolved into this feature, highlighting this topic and that hearing aids are 'a quality of life' purchase, an investment for the future.

To assist with understanding it's important to begin by saying that at a company such as my own we have over 300 different hearing aids that we can prescribe to the hearing impaired. A massive choice that many of you may not realise is available, ranging from £250-£2500. In a nutshell, there is something for everyone's pocket, and for the majority of hearing losses and lifestyles. The pricing is inclusive; in other words, the limitless aftercare programme is included for the entire warranty period of the instrument ranging from two years to five years.  Another way of explaining this is to say 'no hidden charges anywhere'!

If you split up the cost per day over a minimum of five years it becomes pennies per day and when comparing the cost of a cup of coffee it brings totally into focus the meaning of a worthwhile investment.

Hearing aid manufacturers spend millions of pounds every year developing major advances in hearing aid technology. For example, this year saw the introduction of the Resound Linx hearing aid used in conjunction with Apple iPhone and iPad smart devices. None of the research and development costs are met by the Government and therefore costs at some point fall onto the end user.

Buying online

A hearing instrument is a complex medically-prescribed device that needs to be fitted properly by a qualified audiology professional. Although it can be tempting to shop online for cheap hearing aids, I would discourage you from doing so.

Buying a device online and expecting your hearing problems to be solved is comparable to buying braces online and expecting them to straighten your teeth!

You could potentially waste your money on a device that doesn't meet your hearing needs, poorly fits the ear itself and comes with no way of adjusting to obtain the best results for you.

Furthermore you will miss out on the care, service and support of a professional audiologist!

It's important to accompany a loved one to their hearing test

Having to live with an untreated hearing loss can be very difficult and a lonely experience. On top of finding it hard to listen and communicate, those who are hearing impaired often have to deal with increasingly frustrated family members and friends who are tired of repeating themselves. Personal relationships are adversely affected by hearing loss. Hearing impaired couples are hardest hit, but relations with friends, family and colleagues suffer, as well.

A British study among 1,500 individuals, aged 55 years and older, with hearing loss seemed to confirm that the presence of hearing loss is likely to cause marital strain. Almost one in two said that relationships with their partner, friends or family had suffered because they could not hear properly. A third had lost touch with friends, and in some cases marriages fell apart as a direct result of a breakdown in communication.
If you have a loved one hearing loss, it is important for you to be positive, supportive and committed to helping them improve their hearing.

One simple way you can support a family member who has hearing difficulties is accompanying them to their hearing test (instead of just losing your patience and badgering them to book one!) Here are four reasons why it is better to tackle the first hearing appointment as a team.

1. Solidarity and comfort
Most hearing evaluations last around 60 minutes or longer. Although there is nothing painful about having the hearing test carried out, it can still be a nerve-wracking experience – especially anticipating the results. Having a loved one there can ease anxiety and help the person with hearing loss feel less alone.

2. Better understanding of the results
It can often be confusing to understand the results of medical tests and their implications – especially when you can’t hear well or have other things on your mind. That’s why it’s nice to have a trusted friend or family member along who can take notes and ask appropriate questions while the audiologist interprets the findings.

3. Another view point
It’s not uncommon for family members to notice hearing loss in a loved one before they notice it themselves. It is very possible that a person with untreated hearing loss does not even realise how much they are missing. Bringing a family member to the initial hearing test will give the hearing clinician access to a different point of view, helping them to formulate the most accurate result possible.

4. Shared responsibility
Sometimes it is hard to make an important medical decision by yourself. When it comes to investing in a pair of hearing aids it’s a good idea to tackle key decisions, such as what type to purchase, what features would compliment their lifestyle and how much to spend, together.

It is also important that a family member is at the first appointment so they can be informed of their importance to their loved one’s hearing rehabilitation process. Persistent encouragement, a positive attitude and the implementation of communication strategies by family members will ultimately result in greater satisfaction for everyone. It really requires a family effort to get the most out of hearing aids.

ReSound Linx: The Patient's View

Back in February I announced details on this blog about the new 'made for iPhone' hearing aid, ReSound Linx. We have tremendous feedback from our patients regarding this product, and as a hearing care professional it is a dream to work with.

Rather than me keep telling you about what our patients think, I thought I would let one of our patients talk about it themselves.

Written by Hearing Care Centre patient Mr Parkinson...

I have resisted buying a hearing aid for nearly 10 years as I thought it probably wouldn't make much difference to my hearing and be far more faff than benefit. I also wasn't keen on the hearing aid  'look' either as I'm still only 41! But when I temporarily lost the hearing in my other 'good' ear at Easter, I started researching the options fast. 

I initially chose the Resound LiNX 9 because it reportedly had great sound quality and it looked small and discreet. And as a bit of a techie geek, I also liked the idea I could integrate it with my iPhone to hear calls, music and audio books - directly in my ear.

I was nervous about paying so much for a hearing aid as a 'first timer' and probably only committed because of the money-back guarantee. However, the product is awesome. 

Why do I like it so much? Well, I can now hear much better for a start! In particular, I find I no longer struggle to hear colleagues at work - even during large meetings. And whilst other hearing aid users I know complain of feedback and issues with background noise, I haven't experienced these with the LiNX. Most of the time I forget I’m even wearing it as the ‘softswitch’ mode manages the sound levels so well that the result is natural with no unexpected surprises.
And I do like its style and compactness. I chose a black one and no-one notices I'm wearing it, especially as I don't need to touch it once it's in my ear because all the settings are controlled from my iPhone.

I've put the ‘Resound Smart’ app on the bottom bar of my iPhone so I can access it quickly from any screen. This makes it easy and discreet to change the volume or switch between different modes such as 'restaurant' or 'traffic' or 'music' etc. I don’t do this very often but sometimes if there is a lot of ambient noise behind me, a quick switch to restaurant mode can help me hear the person who's talking to me more clearly.

I have a couple of little niggles with the app. The battery-life indicator could be better. After 3 weeks of showing full power, it suddenly went from full to flat in a day. A problem if you forget to carry spare batteries. The other issue is that when the iPhone first connects with the LiNX via Bluetooth, the app shows a spinning indicator that implies it's taking a while to make a connection. In fact it is connected, it is just synchronising and updating the data from the hearing aid to the iPhone - maybe a ‘connected and updating’ message would communicate this better as I certainly found the Bluetooth connection to be fast, reliable and consistent.

In short, because of its cost and the promise of technical excellence I had extremely high hopes for the LiNX, and I certainly haven't been disappointed. The irony is, despite it's small size and discreet management my colleagues and friends do know that I’m wearing it as I can’t help but show the thing off.

 

For more information on ReSound Linx, please visit www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk/linx

Over 172,000 People in Suffolk Will Have Hearing Loss by 2031

This week you may have seen on BBC News and local radio, a new report that suggests one in five of the population will have a hearing loss by 2031.

The study was commissioned by the International Longevity Centre, and if we look at the figures at a more local level, this will account for more than 172,000 in Suffolk alone.

Currently the figure stands at one in six, however with an ever-growing population, currently 8.7% over ten years here in Suffolk, this is set to dramatically rise.

The number of people with hearing loss has been on the increase for many years now. It was one in seven, now it’s one in six and before long it will be one in five. As age increases to 75-85 that figure becomes one in three!

For me the problem isn’t the rise in the number of people with hearing loss, but more that people wait too long to have their hearing checked. Unlike with sight or teeth checks, it takes people around 10 years to book a hearing test! That’s 10 years of not being able to hear your family properly, struggling in group social situations, hearing music or not hearing the birds sing.

This report builds on the evidence that highlights the profound individual, family and societal consequences of hearing loss. We know hearing loss compounds social isolation and loneliness, particularly for older people and can act as a barrier for socialising with family and friends, employment and other recreational activities.

If you or a loved one are struggling to hear, I urge you to book a hearing test. Help can be provided privately or on the NHS by way of hearing aids, which nowadays are so small and discreet that nobody need know you are wearing them.

For more general information on hearing loss visit www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk or www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk 

Looking after your hearing aid this summer

Summer appears to be finally here. Many people look forward to this time of year because it gives them the opportunity to indulge in activities requiring warm, sunny days, like swimming, walking, cycling, and travelling.

Wearing hearing aids shouldn’t keep you from enjoying yourself, but it is important to remember exposure to high heat can damage their outer casings and interior components. Therefore, whether you plan to spend your days basking in the sun by the beach or pool, or visiting exotic destinations, you should prepare to keep your hearing aids safe and functioning.

Avoid extreme temperature changes. The plastic outer shells of hearing aids can melt if exposed directly to intense sunlight for long periods or in extreme heat, such as inside a car parked in a sweltering outdoor lot. Conversely, your hearing aids’ inner workings are more at risk from significant changes in temperature rather than heat or sun exposure specifically. This is because moisture condenses within the hearing aid as you go from a cool, air-conditioned environment into the hot outdoors, especially if you go back and forth repeatedly. As for hearing aid batteries, they are likely to fail if exposed to high heat for more than a short amount of time.

Here are two “dont’s” and one “do” for protecting your hearing aids from excessive heat:

• Don’t leave hearing aids lying out in direct sunlight
• Don’t leave hearing aids locked in a glove box or sitting on the dashboard
• Do store hearing aid batteries in a cool, dry place

Sun cream: good for you, not so much for your hearing aids. While it is important to protect your skin from the sun’s rays, you could inadvertently damage your hearing aids by doing so. Sun creams and sprays can clog vents and damage other components. It is advisable to put on sunscreen before you put in your hearing aids.

The difference between “waterproof” and “water-resistance” matters. You may have water-resistant hearing aids but understand this does not mean they can be submerged in the ocean or a pool. Water-resistant hearing aids help if you’re perspiring in the summer sun. However, if you jump into a lake wearing them, water will get inside through the microphone or other vents and they will be ruined.

Keep in mind:

• Don’t wear non-waterproof hearing aids if you’re going swimming, or anywhere else where it is likely they will get drenched
• Do make sure you know whether your hearing aids are waterproof or water-resistant
• Do invest in a dehumidifier pot to remove moisture from your hearing aids [link takes you to an external website]

This summer enjoy listening to the sound of the BBQ sizzling, children playing in the garden, and the birds singing in the trees. Just follow these simple do’s and dont’s to make sure your hearing aids keep up with your summertime lifestyle.

 

 

Hearing loss – helping a loved one

If you are reading this column it is because you suspect that someone you care about might have a hearing loss. And you want to help. Hearing is an easy thing to take for granted.

Initially, you may have a giggle at their misunderstanding of words or the bizarre interpretations they come up with, but after a while the daily miscommunication will lead to concern and frustration of having to repeat yourself. Age-related hearing loss generally occurs gradually. As a result, it is often family and friends who are the first to notice the problem.

Things are not nearly as easy with a hearing loss. It is difficult to converse in a crowded room or over the phone. It is not that things are not always loud enough, but that they are not clear enough. People often claim that there would not be a problem if others would just stop mumbling. Sounds fade so gradually that they can disappear unnoticed, for example when the birds stop chirping.

Left untreated, hearing loss can affect relationships between the person affected and their family and friends, quietly eroding their quality of life. That is why it is important to motivate your loved one to get their hearing tested and to take the necessary action, and to learn how you can help with any communication difficulties.

In my practice in Ipswich we often have children contacting us who are concerned about their parents or, as they’ve been trying to call them on the telephone all day and they don’t answer, or others who have broken into their parents’ house after repeatedly knocking on the door, only to find them blissfully unaware in the back garden.

Quite often, because of the stigma attached to hearing loss, elderly parents don’t respond to initial prompts from their children to have their hearing tested.

Why is there so much resistance?

The main reason is denial. Many older adults just don’t think they have a problem.

We know from research that it takes people with hearing loss 5 to 10 years before they have their hearing tested, and more than four million people in the UK who would benefit from wearing hearing aids, don’t have one.

Tips to convince loved ones to have their hearing checked

• Talk to them about the benefits of seeking help and the things they are missing out on, such as social occasions or physical activities.
• Reassure them that modern devices are small, discreet and the technology is simple and automatic.
• Discuss the dangers of undiagnosed hearing loss—for instance, not being able to hear properly while driving, or the simple fact that leaving it untreated will only make it worsen quicker.

For more information on hearing loss or to book a hearing test, either visit www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk or call 01473 230330.

 

Helping your mother to hear

With Mother’s day coming up, we sons and daughters are quick to realise all of those little things that our mum did to make our childhoods easier and more care-free. It’s these little things that make all the difference to us as we celebrate Mother’s Day this March. Wouldn’t it be great if we could finally repay them for their many years of service by helping make their lives easier?

One such little thing, hearing loss, may be a big issue for many mothers out there and can be easily cared for with a hearing test and consultation with your local audiologist. Imagine helping alleviate any struggles with conversations and hearing in noisy environments for your mother this year.

I am certainly finding that more and more women are dealing with hearing loss issues and are not taking the measures to get the care they deserve. One reason is due to a resistance to wearing hearing aids. Sadly, some people still feel there is a stigma attached to wearing them, as though it’s an admission that they are getting old, and perhaps by association, doddery too! This is so far away from the truth as in fact hearing aids keep you young, they keep you involved in conversation with friends and loved ones.

Show your love for your mother this Mother’s Day by accompanying her to an appointment with an audiologist. I feel strongly that no one should have to struggle with hearing loss when there is something that can be done.

For more information on hearing loss simply click here.

 

The Hidden Dangers of Purchasing Hearing Aids Off the Internet

At first glance, the idea of buying hearing aids online off the Internet may seem like a good one, whether its from a website like eBay or an online retailer, especially when they appear to be low cost or budget hearing aids. But unfortunately it’s based on a number of important misunderstandings that the online retailer will conveniently neglect to tell you about.










So read this first, to you understand how to avoid falling into the same trap others have.

1. Hearing Aids are not a ‘white good’…

People often mistakenly think that a hearing aid is much like a television, or a computer, or a HiFi, and so they expose it to the normal ways they would expect to go about purchasing these types of goods: shop around, compare features and prices etc.

But hearing aids are not white goods! They are MEDICAL devices.

Hearing aids therefore need to be correctly PRESCRIBED and FITTED by someone who is trained and qualified to do so. If you are not fitted with the correct one for your hearing and hearing requirements – at best, it will be ineffective; at worse, it could actually damage your hearing.

2. Hearing Aids need programming…

When you get a hearing aid, it is a bit like a blank slate that needs to be programmed to your hearing and hearing requirements. This requires specialist equipment, software from the manufacturer and someone who knows how to use it properly.

If you purchase off the Internet, how will you be able to use it if it hasn’t been programmed? Bearing in mind that programming is a two way process, part of which involves listening to you and making adjustments accordingly.

3. Internet retailers of hearing aids are not regulated…

In the UK there are various bodies that regulate the sale of hearing aids. The most important one is the Hearing Aid Council, which is the Government’s regulatory body for the private sale of hearing aids. The Hearing Aid Council specify who may ‘dispense’ hearing aids privately, and how they must do it – in order to protect the consumer.

Unfortunately their powers do not apply to Internet Sales. Therefore they cannot protect you, and the Internet retailer has no responsibility to adhere to the Hearing Aid Council’s standards of ethics and competence. You may be protected by Trading Standards and the Office of Fair Trading, but if the Internet Retailer correctly described it and it’s technically fit for purpose you may find you don’t have the comeback you need to get the best out of your hearing.

Purchasing face-to-face from someone who’s registered with the Hearing Aid Council means that at the very least, you will be dealing with someone who has a legal responsibility to prescribe and fit the item that’s right for you (or the person you are purchasing it for), with a Regulator you can turn to in the rare case you’ll need to.

4. The hearing aid manufacturer works closely with the professional…

Hearing aid manufacturers work closely with hearing care professionals to ensure they properly understand the product they are prescribing and fitting. Purchasing from an online retailer loses this important partnership which plays a key role in as successful fitting.

5. The Online Cost does not include professional time and ongoing support…

Have you never wondered why the cost is so different online from what professional practices will quote? It’s because the price from a professional practice will include the costs of having a qualified person fit the hearing aid, monitor your progress and provide you with ongoing support.

Imagine someone telling you they thought they needed a filling, and went online to look for the ‘best value’ filling they could find. It just wouldn’t happen.

But imagine it arrived in the post… they’d still need someone to fit it. And then they’d end up having to pay the dentist’s fees – assuming they could convince them to fit it!

With hearing aids, the cost includes the hearing aids, the cost of fitting it and very often the ongoing support too. So it can be thought of as a complete solution. This means that if something changes (e.g. wax gets in and blocks the electronics, or your hearing changes) your hearing care professional will be able to provide you with the proper support you need when you need it. That may involve reprogramming, or servicing/repair, or advice, or maybe even referral to an appropriate medical practitioner.

6. And you may not find anyone to programme it…

Most hearing care professionals are reluctant to touch a hearing aid that they have not supplied themselves. This is for two main reasons.

Firstly, the success of a hearing aid fitting depends on the combination of having the right technology and the right professional support. Fitting something they have not prescribed invites all sorts of problems, and it will leave you uncertain as to whether it’s the technology or the professional. This is something that most professionals are unwilling to risk, as it obviously affects their professional reputation.

Secondly, hearing care professionals rarely have fee structures broken down into separate appointments that would allow them to carry out aftercare for something they have not provided themselves. The reason for this is very simple: often adjustments are made by the hearing care professional as part of an incremental process that involves you seeing how they perform for you out in the real world, followed by another adjustment, followed by trying them out again, followed by another adjustment etc.

So the number of appointments you need can easily stack up, and that’s not including any ongoing maintenance you’ll need over the longer term. If you were to be charged for each and every appointment, you may find it easier to simply to ‘put up with’ the settings, rather than complete the necessary adjustment process. Worse still, you may stop using the hearing aids altogether.

This is why the profession has generally found that providing a price that includes the ‘hardware’ and the ‘software’ (professional time and support) has suited both patients and professionals alike: everyone knows where they stand.

Conclusion...
If you are considering purchasing hearing aids online, our advice is DON’T.

Find a local practice you know will look after you (or the person you are purchasing them for). Their training, knowledge, experience and understanding of your hearing and your needs will provide you with a tailored solution that’s right for, with the added protection of being within the context of a properly regulated profession.

If you already have purchased online, speak to Trading Standards for advice.

Thanks to the Association of Indepdendent Hearing Healthcare Professionals (AIHHP) for this blog post. For lots more information please visit their website... www.aihhp.org

World's First 'Made for iPhone' Hearing Aid

I am very excited as I write this post because the world of hearing aids is about to be given a shake up. For some time hearing aids have had an negative image attached to them, but a new technology advancement is about to make hearing aids very cool indeed!

Danish hearing aid manufacturer, GN ReSound, has just launched its latest product 'LiNX' over in the United States and is due for release here in the UK later this year.

This new hearing instrument connects directly to iPhones and other iOS devices, allowing wearers to talk on the phone or listen to music, without any intermediary devices, and is the first of it's kind.

Launching alongside the LiNX is a new iOS app that works as a remote for the hearing aid, allowing wearers to adjust volume levels, equalisers, and switch between preset environments for the hearing aid, allowing the device to optimise to the user's environment.

Hearing aids can have several different modes, adjusting to the acoustics of each environment -- the app even uses geofencing to automatically change sound profiles based on the location of the wearer, changing for work, home, or a favorite restaurant. There is also a "Find My Hearing Aid" function to help users find their device if it's lost.

Previously, hearing aid wearers would need to carry a pendant or other wireless device in order to make changes to settings on a tiny hearing aid -- adjusting volume or switching between profiles -- now, users can make those changes directly on the iPhone, a device that many are carrying anyway in a significant quality of life improvement.

It also allows users to listen directly to games, calls, FaceTime conversations, music, and any other audio directly from the iOS device, without a handheld dongle or other intermediary devices.The technology will be available in hearing aids from both GN ReSound and its sister-brand Beltone.

Who said that hearing aids couldn't be cool?
 

 

New Technology Advancement For Profound Hearing Losses

World renowned hearing aid manufacturer, Siemens, has just released a new hearing aid for people whose hearing is severely impaired. The hearing aid is so thin that it can fit behind the ear of a hearing-impaired baby.

The new device, known as 'Nitro', is one-third narrower than its predecessor, and reason being because that it is equipped with high-performance microchips.

The new device offers an unprecedented sound volume even at the high amplification required for severely hearing-impaired users.

An important feature of hearing aids is that they sufficiently amplify speech to make it easily audible, but at the same time offer a sound experience that is as comfortable and balanced as possible.

The hearing aid receives sound waves through two microphones. The microchips split the sound waves into individual frequency ranges, on the basis of which they create a finely tuned sound no matter what the acoustic situation. The system automatically offsets audio feedback that creates an annoying whistling sound.

Although hearing aids generally have trouble dealing with a babble of voices such as occurs at parties, the new system can also handle such situations by making background discussions quieter so that the wearer can concentrate better on what his or her interlocutor is saying.

The technology within the hearing aid enables it to process a broader range of frequencies and split sounds into as many as 48 individually optimised channels.

Although this results in a huge number of calculations, it does not cause any noticeable sound delays, because the system processes 250 million commands per second. This makes listening with a hearing aid much less strenuous than was previously the case.

The signals from the two directional microphones are individually processed in parallel, enabling the system to more quickly eliminate audio feedback and identify sound sources so that irritating background noises can be filtered out.

Siemens engineers enabled left-ear and right-ear hearing aids to exchange data for the first time in 2004. This allows users to recognise differences in the signals received at each ear so that they can localise a sound source, for example.

I hope I have not bamboozled you with all of my technology speak. Suffice to say, this hearing aid is a fantastic advancement in helping those who have a profound hearing loss. The latest microphone technology in this device reduces listening fatigue substantially and right now no other hearing device for profoundly hearing impaired people can offer a comparable performance.

The key features to take from this new hearing aid are:

• A third thinner than its predecessor
• Very high sound volume and high amplification
• Comfortable and balanced sound experience
• Twin directional microphones: giving you more balanced hearing
• Feedback management to filter out unwanted sounds
• Wireless connectivity: compatible with a range of accessories allowing sound from audio sources directly to your ears

 

 

Don't let Hearing Loss Break Your Heart this Valentine's Day

“Are you even listening to me properly?”, “We’ve already discussed that.”, “You don’t understand me!” Let’s be honest: Is there anyone who’s never heard one of these phrases?

It’s no secret that functioning communication is a basic requirement of a harmonious and happy relationship. However, what if the relationship is the very thing that’s impaired, because one of the partners is affected by hearing loss?

One international hearing loss campaign, called Hear The World, has concerned itself with just that question and, in time for Valentine’s Day on 14^th February, is publishing surprising results of the “Hearing is Living” study.

Among other things, it shows that 1 in 3 people with hearing loss feel more attractive, lead better partnerships and enjoy a more fulfilled love life since wearing a hearing aid.

This is fantastic, but worryingly, 50% of respondents with hearing loss but without a hearing aid, had not yet consulted a specialist about it, which makes studies like this so important as it helps to start the conversation and thereby raise awareness.

Taking action with hearing loss can make a huge difference to your life and your family’s life. If you are experiencing problems I urge you to book a hearing assessment with your local audiologist.

Digital hearing aids have proved to be a major success in the enhancement of people’s lives. The technology is available in entry, mid-range and superior classes all of which have different features and capabilities.

One of my patients wrote these few words which sums up her happiness ‘A year ago I came to you a living hell, now I am a living heaven. Thank you for improving my life….’