Thursday, September 15th, 2011
We use our ears on a daily basis to take in the sounds surrounding our everyday life. However, over time our senses can begin to deteriorate making it difficult to hear. When this occurs, hearing aids Cambridge are often needed to restore your hearing, yet adjusting to them isn’t always as easy as you first anticipate. Subsequently, the professional audiologists here at the Hearing Healthcare Centre have compiled a few tips and advice on how to adapt to using your new hearing aid.
When you first get your new hearing aid try and take it slowly. Here at the Hearing Healthcare Centre we would recommend that you start wearing your hearing aid around your home before venturing outdoors into busier environments.
Try wearing your hearing aid with the TV on, or even just when you’re pottering around. Some noises may seem a lot crisper like the sound of running water, or someone mooching around upstairs, yet other sounds may be loud and harsh on your ears to begin with. It is always worth bearing in mind that it will take your ears and brain time to adjust to this new, clearer hearing.
Now you have the appropriate apparatus to hear clearly, you may find that you have to retrain your brain to interpret the sounds being heard. You can do this yourself at home, or you can get a LACE training disc. LACE stands for Listening and Communication Enhancement and is a training disc that you can complete in the comfort of your own home to train your brain to listen and interpret the new sounds you are experiencing.
Adjusting to the physical aspects of hearing aids Cambridge should be discussed with your consultant here at Hearing Healthcare Centre. We are a friendly team and appreciate that you may have queries or concerns regarding your new disability aids. If you would like further information, feel free to get in touch on 01223 360 700.
Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by Hearing Healthcare Centre. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Hearing Healthcare Centre, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Tags: hearing aids Cambridge
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Monday, August 15th, 2011
Hearing loss is a common condition for many British citizens, and has led to a development in the various styles and types of hearing aids currently available in the market. If you are struggling to choose a hearing aid then we are here to help you at the Hearing Healthcare Centre. We have a vast amount of experience in the industry, and as such we appreciate how difficult it is to choose between the various hearing aids Cambridge available. To assist you with your choice, we have decided to guide you through the process of finding the right hearing aid.
Technology has come on leaps and bounds, and although you may not have thought about it, this has drastically altered the quality and variety of hearing and disability aids available.
The first step to finding the perfect hearing aid is to have a hearing test. You can come and visit us at the Hearing Healthcare Centre and we will perform a comprehensive hearing test. This is essential in order to identify whether or not you are suffering with hearing loss, and to discover whether there is an underlying reason or if it is a natural occurrence. This is important, as if there is an underlying health problem, we can advise you on the best course of action and whether there is any treatment available.
Once you have established that you need a hearing aid, you will then need to discern what type of hearing aid would best suit you. You can contact Hearing Healthcare Centre, as we are always happy to assist you in this process. There are lots of options to choose from, which can make it difficult to choose one. We will discuss with you the various types available, and fit them so that you grasp how they will suit you in the long run.
If you are struggling to find hearing aids Cambridge which fit snuggly into your ear and lifestyle, then contact Hearing Healthcare Centre today. We have the expertise and the experience to be able to help you with your decision. Contact us on 01223 360 700 to book an appointment.
Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by Hearing Healthcare Centre. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of Hearing Healthcare Centre, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Tags: hearing aids Cambridge
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Monday, April 18th, 2011
Do you have concerns about your hearing? Or perhaps you want to find a hearing test centre that is local to you? At the Hearing Healthcare Centre we provide exceptional hearing care for all of our customers, including a comprehensive hearing examination to identify if there are any problems with your hearing. Our hearing tests are not exclusive to personal examinations for everyday clients, as we also extend our expertise to the industrial sector where hearing is often subject to loud noises. All of our clients are provided with a thorough examination, followed by a comprehensive debrief on the available medical solutions. These could include having one of our hearing aids Cambridge fitted.
We have hearing test centres in Cambridge, and Peterborough making us the convenient choice of destination for your hearing test. Whether you want a hearing test due to poor hearing or a perceived deterioration, or you need to organise hearing tests for your employees who work in an industrial environment – Hearing Healthcare Centre is the ideal centre to carry out a hearing test.
With our wealth of experience and technical support we can perform necessary examinations quickly and efficiently. Once you have undergone our hearing examination, we will then go through with you in detail whether there are any discernable problems.
At the Hearing Healthcare Centre we can provide appropriate advice regarding your loss of hearing. We pride ourselves on our aftercare service which is extremely comprehensive. We provide our customers with a free annual hearing test. This is ideal, as after a while you may find that your hearing aids become less effective due to wear and tear – if this is the case, then we can adjust or repair your hearing aids to return them to full efficiency.
If you need to contact a hearing centre that is local to you, then contact the Hearing Healthcare Centre today. We can provide an array of services which care for you from start to finish. We have a vast range of hearing aids Cambridge in the event that you require one. Call us today on 01223 360 700.
Tags: hearing aids Cambridge, hearing test
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Friday, January 21st, 2011
When one of our senses is taken away from us, whether it’s a gradual thing which comes with age, something which has happened as the result of an accident or something which we are born with, it is human nature to feel both different and self-conscious. However, advances in technology and the life sciences are helping to improve the quality of life for those that struggle in certain areas and none more so than with hearing aids Cambridge, which we here at the Healthcare Hearing Centre supply.
Here at the Healthcare Hearing Centre, for over the last half a century we’ve been providing a range of hearing aids and accessories to bring crystal clear and crisp sounds back to those who suffer from a hearing defect.
The hearing aid accessories that we provide take care of every eventuality that you may face with your hearing aid.
Our range of accessories includes all the necessities such as hearing aid batteries and maintenance kits, so that you can keep your hearing aids working to their full potential. We also take into account the cleaning process, which is why we stock a wide range of wax traps and sanitising sprays.
Although hearing aids Cambridge can help improve the quality of sound that is heard, there are some times when a hearing aid doesn’t do the job on its own. An example of this is when using the phone or watching television.
We have these bases covered too, with our range of amplifiers which can be used for both televisions and mobiles, meaning that you can have the volume at a level which is suitable for the average person, whilst still hearing clearly.
Along with providing hearing accessories and hearing aids Cambridge for those who suffer from a hearing impediment, here at the Hearing Healthcare Centre, we also provide accessories to protect the hearing of those who work within loud environments. These include non obtrusive ear plugs, industrial hearing protection and in-ear monitoring to assist those working in the music profession.
Tags: hearing aid accessories, hearing aids Cambridge
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Wednesday, December 1st, 2010
Practice News
The last two months have been very busy for us as it coincides with the European Hearing Aid Audiology Conference and our AIHHP Autumn Conference.
As a result of this many manufacturers launch their new products at this time and we have attended several training days to learn about the latest amazing technology now available to improve your hearing enjoyment.
The first of these was 7th September GN ReSound launching the new Alera model their first wireless Ear to Ear instrument with a number of unique features for the end user and dispenser. These include remote control, Wireless TV connection, and mobile phone link.
Next was the Hearbuy conference on 10th & 11th September. This is the central purchasing company set up to provide the independent dispenser with the best discounts when buying from any of our suppliers.
An excellent agenda and very well attended and included a stand for AIHHP to promote our philosophy to others in the profession.
On 30th September I attended an afternoon meeting organised by Avril Dring of CAMTAD (Campaign for acquired deafness) where we had a stand and gave a talk. This was attended by around 100 local hearing impaired people and opened by the lady Mayor. I had support from Unitron with their representative Nicola demonstrating the Smart Alert system.
On 8th & 9th October we had our Autumn AIHHP conference in Cobham Surrey where we held our 3rd awards ceremony now entitled “The Golden Lobes Awards”. Widex chose to use our conference to launch their new and exciting range of instruments “The Clear” range offering many significant new features to improve the listening advantage and comfort for all hearing losses
This was a great success with exceptional presenters and well attended again with a number of new executive members being welcomed.
21st October afternoon saw my wife’s graduation ceremony at Anglia Ruskin University.
And finally 22nd October we attended the UK Phonak launch of their new Spice range of instruments based on a completely new Chip set with many amazing new features to significantly improve hearing in noisy situations.
Suffering With Silence
Coronation Street star William Roache (Ken Barlow) recently revealed he has only 50% hearing left in both ears. He struggled untreated, refusing to wear hearing aids for many years, and suffered from social isolation and difficulties at work as a result. The Coronation Street actor reportedly said that vanity had stopped him from wearing hearing assitance until now.
If you find that you need to turn up the volume of your television or radio or often ask people to repeat what they are saying, you too may be experiencing hearing problems. With one in six people experiencing hearing difficulties, and this increasing to one in three people over the age of 60, hearing loss is a very common condition. It is estimated that there are over 4 million people in the UK who, like William Roache, have some form of hearing problem and simply suffer in silence.
However, recent technological advancements have transformed the way hearing difficulty can be treated, leading to huge improvements in a person’s everyday life. There are even Bluetooth-enabled and 2.4Ghz radio hearing systems, allowing the wearer to wirelessly listen directly to a TV, computer, personal music player and much more. Thanks to these technological advances, modern hearing instruments have become so small and discreet, often, you do not even notice someone is wearing anything at all – just like William Roache has now discovered after all these years.
Did You Know?
In 1883, when Krakatoa in Indonesia erupted, it was the loudest natural sound in recorded history and could be heard over 3100 miles away. It measured over 180 decibels at 100 miles from the volcano and was so loud at this distance, that you could not hear a person even if they shouted into your ear.
Take That Hear the World
Take That is helping to raise awareness about the importance of hearing and the consequences of hearing loss. Following the return of Robbie Williams, the hugely successful pop group are the latest names to support Hear the World, a global initiative launched by hearing system manufacturer Phonak, joining stars like Jude Law, Elle Macpherson, Annie Lennox, Sting and Peter Gabriel.
“Hearing is something that we rely on every day, even more so being musicians. To lend our support to this campaign is something we are really proud of and are grateful for a chance to play a part in raising awareness of the issue of hearing loss”, Robbie Williams says on behalf of the band.
Hear the World is now one of the world’s largest celebrity supported health campaign currently more than forty high-profile musicians, actors and models from across the globe helping raise awareness for a problem which affects over 800 million people worldwide.
More than 16 percent of the world’s population have hearing loss with experts predicting this will to increase to 1.1 billion by 2015. In the UK an estimated 8.5 million people are affected by the condition and struggle for up to 15 years before seeking advice. Studies have shown that this has a significantly negative effect on a person’s social, emotional and physical wellbeing.
Phonak set up the Hear the World foundation, a non-profit organisation that is committed to improve the quality of life and promote equal opportunities for people with hearing loss globally. To achieve this, the foundation provides financial funds, hearing aids and assistive listening technology. For more information visit www.hear-the-world.com.
New Invisible Hearing Aid
A new hearing instrument has just been launched which is a deeply inserted completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid that professes to be 100% invisible.
Unlike conventional Completely-in-Canal (CIC) hearing aids, this product is designed to fit beyond the second bend of the ear canal, claiming to make it totally invisible. It can be inserted and removed by the user and utilizes the latest multi-core digital signal processing. It also has a feedback eliminator, reputed to be the best feedback manager system available on the market today.
The device also has the functionality to be remotely programmed via a touch-tone mobile phone. It is a product that will be the most ideal solution to date for those with the highest priority for cosmetics.
Not everyone will have an ear-canal that is suitable for this device and strict criteria apply to ensure suitable candidates. To discuss this option more fully or simply find out if you are a suitable candidate, call us to arrange an appointment.
Hearing Loss by Degrees
The degree of hearing loss varies from person to person. Between the two extremes of hearing well and hearing nothing, there are many degrees of hearing impairment, but what does the degree of hearing loss mean?
The terms used to describe the level of loss and brief descriptions are:
Mild Hearing Loss – unable to hear soft sounds, difficulty perceiving soft speech and hearing in noisy environments.
Moderate Hearing Loss – unable to hear soft and moderate sounds, considerable difficulty in perceiving clear speech especially with background noise.
Severe Hearing Loss – A speaker must raise their voice, Group conversation is only possible with considerable effort.
Profound Hearing Loss – some very loud sounds are audible but communication without a hearing instrument is impossible.
The majority of hearing losses are classed as mild to moderate but regardless of degree of hearing loss, many people will state that, “my hearing is fine – I just don’t understand words as clearly as I used to.”
This is the first and most common sign of hearing loss.
Breakthrough Towards Hearing Loss Drug
Researchers at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, have discovered a drug that repairs hearing after damage caused by loud noise.
Until now, exposure to loud noise has led to permanent hearing loss. However, the researchers have shown that if treated with a compound called ‘ADAC’ after noise damage, hearing recovered substantially.
The scientists found that a five day treatment of daily injections starting six hours after noise exposure were most effective. Single treatments were less effective but also resulted in some hearing recovery. The drug is thought to work by increasing the sensory hair cell’s ability to break down the damaging waste products, which build up during noise exposure.
This study presents the most effective pharmacological strategy to date for reducing noise-induced hearing loss after exposure to damaging noise. If clinical trials prove successful, this research could mean that, in future, people who are exposed to loud noise and risk damage could be administered a drug to stop the hearing loss
Hearing Aid Top Tip!
Don’t leave your hearing aids on a windowsill in a bathroom or kitchen – condensation will readily form on the instrument and may cause it to become faulty.
Moisture ingression can be a real problem for most hearing devices as the tiny microphones and receivers (loudspeakers) are susceptible to moisture ingression and not function correctly, if at all. In addition battery contacts can corrode causing intermittent or complete malfunction.
Always keep your hearing instruments in their case when not in use and regularly use a proprietary silica gel drying agent. We always have these available.
Tags: GN ReSound hearing aids, hearing aids Cambridge
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