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Denial to hearing loss is very common. Most people who have hearing issues believe that their hearing is “not bad” or at least better than their peers. They would never even consider making an appointment for a hearing assessment, let alone trying a hearing device! As caring family members we often don’t want to tackle this denial, we try to be accommodating or give excuses like “Oh, she’s just ignoring me” or “Dad isn’t responding because he’s a bit distracted” or “Grandma’s getting older, hearing loss is part of the ageing process”. However overtime this can be frustrating for both…

There are many different shapes and sizes of hearing aids on the market, so how do you know which is the best? Keep reading to see whether a custom In-The-Ear or a Behind-The-Ear device would be better for you...   Cosmetics and Comfort The smallest and most discreet hearing devices can be truly invisible. They are tiny custom made devices which sit deep in the ear canal. In-The-Ear devices have no parts sitting behind the ear so they don’t interfere with glasses or hats. Many Behind-The-Ear models are small and cosmetically appealing too, especially Open Fit devices. Open fit BTEs…

My hearing had always been fine up until 5 or 6 years ago when certain snippets of conversation would ‘dip’ in volume. As I’m only in my late 30s, ‘old age’ hearing loss would be a low likelihood for me… right? To get to the bottom of it, I had a hearing test and this is what happened. The audiologist, Bernie asked me a series of questions about my history. All seemed normal, I was proud to show her that I was in good health and unlikely to have any hearing problems (even though I had voluntarily come to see…

Most hearing aids are powered by disposable batteries. The size and style of your hearing aids will determine the correct battery size and how long they will last. Here are some easy tips to ensure your hearing aid batteries last as long as possible. The first obvious thing is to remember to turn off your hearing aid when you are not using it. Do this by opening up the battery door. If you have a custom (or “in ear”) hearing aid, make sure to open the battery door the whole way. Custom hearing aids can be very small so the…

There are many things we can do to maintain our healthy hearing. Keeping ourselves healthy so that we aren’t prone to ear infections is one way and of course protecting our ears from exposure to harmful noises. But there is also some evidence that what we eat can play a part in our hearing health.  Omega 3’s and Vitamin D Oily fish such as tuna, trout, sardines, anchovies and salmon all have high levels of vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids. Some studies show that adults who ate oily fish twice a week had a 42% lower chance of age…

1. Cleaning Forgetting to clean your hearing aid is the most common mistake. The inside of our ear is a moist and oily environment. Hearing aids have electronic components inside them. This combination means the right cleaning method is a must! They should be cleaned after every use. If you’d like to see what tools you need and further information, click here. Clean the sound outlet - this is the part that sits inside your ear canal where the sound comes out from. For video tips on how to clean a receiver-in-the ear device click click here. For video tips…

So you’ve gone and had a hearing test and you can’t believe the cost of hearing devices. ‘They must be gold plated’ you think to yourself. Ordering online and cutting the ‘middle man’ is becoming an attractive option. Is it a good idea? Before you hand over your credit card –educate yourself and read further: 1. One size does not fit all! A hearing aid is just like headphones. I can work it out myself, right? WRONG. Experimenting with your ears is not a great choice! Hearing devices need to be measured inside your ear and set up for your hearing.…

Feel like you’re a spy in a Bond movie with some of the latest technology that unites hearing devices and mobile phones 1. Not all mobile phones were created equal... It’s probably no surprise to you that mobile phones cause interference in hearing devices like humming or buzzing. Rather than feeling like there’s an out of tune radio playing during your conversation, check out the specifications of the mobile before buying. Look for the ‘M rating’(M for microphone) and the ‘T rating’(T for telecoil). The ratings go from 1 to 4. There are no guarantees, but any phone with a 3…

Have you ever come home from a pub or concert with a funny buzzing in your ears and dull hearing for a day or so? These are signs that you have overdosed...on noise! Over a lifetime these noise doses add up causing permanent hearing damage later in life. Here are some tips to avoid noise induced hearing loss. 1. Avoid staying in noisy places for long periods of time Concerts and crowded places can be brutal on your ears. You may not always be able to avoid loud noises, but you can limit your exposure. Sometimes that’s as easy as…

"I've told you three times to put on your shoes!" It’s only 8.30am and you’ve already asked your 8 year old to brush their teeth 3 times, put their shoes on 3 times, and pack their school bag 2 times. By 8.45 you are ready to pull your hair out! But what if this familiar story is a sign of a more serious problem with your child’s hearing? Mild hearing loss It’s the middle of Winter and your child breaks out in fever for at least the 3rd time this year. They have a full blown cold with blocked ears…