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Blog

  • News

    Zoom Audiology Working Well

    No doubt many of you may be a little “zoomed” out with the lockdown madness of “meeting” friends and family online. However, both the Zoom and Facetime facility have become a very useful tool for communicating with clients, during lockdown and since. We have “met” a number of new clients online and our existing clients have found “virtual” appointments and remote adjustments very useful. We love seeing you in person, but we can offer this service to anyone who prefers to talk to us from their own home. It is particularly useful for new clients to “meet us” and discuss their hearing needs before their appointment Please do let us know if this is of interest to you, or someone you know. Call us on 0345 2220579 or use on online contact form 

  • News

    Let’s Talk Chatable

    There has been a lot of interest around the new Chatable app which dampens down background noise in complex listening situations. It can be downloaded either through the app store for Apple products or google play for Android phones.

    Designed for daily use in social places, the App can pair with any Bluetooth hearing aid or it can be used without an aid – either via wireless earpods or wired headphones. Even people with seemingly normal hearing can still have problems processing speech in background noise. Chatable uses artificial intelligence to manipulate sound to deliver what the brain actually needs.

    Anyone interested in trying out the App, please do give us a call or take a look at https://chatable.onelink.me/8Yyq/6649a9ed

  • News

    New Consulting Room to Open in Farnham Common

    We are delighted to announce that our Farnham Common practice is expanding. Demand has increased so much in recent months that we will be running a dedicated microsuction clinic in our existing room.

    Selma will have a new Consulting Room at the back of Southmead Clinic, with a lovely garden view and Wendy will be moving into the room at the front. As many of our clients know, we already have a state-of-the art 3D digital ear scanner. We now have a new audiometer and will continue to invest in the best equipment as our hearing centre continues to flourish.

    Call 0345 222 0579 to book a hearing test or fill in our online contact form.

     

  • News

    Paradise – The Wonder of Sound

    Our audiologists recently attended the online launch of the new Phonak hearing aid, Paradise. Seen here are Wendy and Selma getting into the theme while watching the presentation which linked keynote speakers from all over the world.

    Phonak say that  the rechargeable Audeo Paradise gives wearers exactly what a hearing aid should. It offers great sound quality, universal connectivity and the ability to control and personalise hearing in any situation.  A few of our clients have already been fitted with the new aids so we are very much looking forward to their feedback.

    Brilliant speech understanding

    Understanding someone who is speaking softly or from a distance in a quiet environment can be challenging. Paradise has a new Speech Enhancer which boosts soft-level speech helping you to to enjoy conversations with friends, colleagues and loved ones.

    Voice assistance access at a tap

    Phone calls can be answered and streaming or music can be paused by activating voice assistants, just by tapping your ear. A motion sensor in Phonak Paradise offers you an effortless way to do all that and                                                                                              more. The built-in microphone allows you true hands-free calls and voice assistant activation.

    Personalized noise cancelling

    It sometimes takes effort to follow conversations when speech is coming from the front and noise is coming from the side and back. This can often vary depending on the type of room you are in, or even how you feel during that time. With Dynamic Noise Cancellation Phonak say you can use their app to personalize the amount of noise cancellation you want all in real-time. It’s the best way to get the most out of your hearing aids.

    Connects to smartphone, TV and more

    Phonak Paradise connects directly to iOS®, Android™ or other Bluetooth®-enabled devices so you can stream audio in excellent quality directly to your hearing aids. Plus, as an added convenience, you can simultaneously connect to two Bluetooth devices and seamlessly alternate between the two.

    To find out more take a look at this video , or book in to see Selma, Wendy or Kevin. Call 0345 222 0579 or fill in our online contact form.

     

  • News

    Patient Safety Day

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) held Patient Safety Day on 17th September 2020 to raise global awareness about the importance of addressing health worker safety as a prerequisite to patient safety. Their message is “Safe health worker, safe patients”.

    At Help in Hearing we take our safety and that of our clients very seriously.

    We always follow the guidance from our audiology professional bodies to ensure that our audiologists are protected while seeing clients. This has resulted in a few changes to our work life:

    Uniforms

    We have new uniforms – our smart blue tunics are only worn while we are in clinic, bagged and taken home to be washed at the end of each day.

    We are wearing PPE – aprons, face masks, visors and gloves provide protection should there be any covid virus present.

    We have all undertaken additional training to ensure that we know how to use the PPE correctly, understand the symptoms of COVID and know what questions to ask our clients

    Our clinic rooms and equipment are cleaned between each  client. We will not allow anyone into the consulting room until this sanitisation has taken place.

    For more information or help with your hearing aids, please call us on 0345 222 0579 or fill in our online contact form.

     

  • News

    Remember, dry hearing aids work best

    It’s a good idea to keep your hearing aids as dry and clean as possible all year round. All electronic devices are vulnerable to humidity and water.  At Help in Hearing we have a range of options for storing and drying your aid at night so that any moisture they may have collected during the day will evaporate.

    You can choose from a small box or tub with a drying tablet, to an electronic dehumidifier – literally a hearing aid dryer and sanitiser –  it is an inexpensive way of keeping your aids in good condition, even in a heatwave. 

    Following a night-time routine will help to extend the life of your hearing aids and keep them working efficiently, all year round. Before you go to bed each night wipe the entire device with a dry, dust-free cloth and then pop it into the drying box. Drying can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 8 hours. The next day you’re all set with a fresh, dry and set of hearing aids.  

    For more information or help on using a drying box, please call us on 0345 222 0579 or fill in our online contact form.

  • News

    Wearing a Mask with a Hearing Aid

    As it is now compulsory  to wear face coverings when entering shops and supermarkets in England, we are not surprised that hearing aid wearers are having a tough time. Not only is lipreading impossible but if the aid sits behind the ear, you risk losing your aid when you take the mask off, as it often catches on the elastic.

    Our audiologist Wendy Davies dons her mask on this video to give a quick demo of a useful technique

    There are a number of mask choices now available and some even have plastic windows to help with lipreading, although our audiologists don’t wear these as they are not clinically effective enough. Here are some recommended options for anyone who also wears a hearing aid:

    Tie Masks 

    Make sure to tie the straps high up on the head and low on the neck. Hearing aids will not be obstructed.

    When removing mask, untie the bottom first then the top to avoid knocking off hearing aids.

     

    Masks with elastic bands

    Use a mask extender. It connects the mask bands to avoid contact with the ears.

    An extender can be made out of a paperclip, shoelace or ribbon. 

    N95 masks

    To avoid elastic band contact with hearing aids, place the top elastic band high on the head and the bottom elastic band on the neck.

    When removing the mask, release the top band first and then slowly pull the bottom over the head, making sure hearing aids are secure.

    Masks with elastic and headwear

    You may also consider sewing two buttons on a hat or headband to help hearing aids stay secure on ears.

    When removing the mask, unfasten from one side first slowly by looping over the ear to avoid disrupting the hearing aid. Repeat the same process on the other side.

    Find My Hearing Aid

    If you do knock your hearing aids off when wearing a mask, all aids now have a “Find My Hearing Aid” feature. It will indicate whether you are getting closer or further away from the device, even if your hearing aid is lost outdoors and runs out of battery charge,  GPS on the phone will show where the hearing aid was when it was last connected.

    If all else fails and you do lose your aid, it may be covered under your household insurance. We always recommend declaring new devices on your policy.  You can insist on seeing your existing audiologist and can ask for a cash settlement if you are making a claim. We would be very happy to advise you.  For more information or help with your hearing aids, please call us on 0345 222 0579 or fill in our online contact form.

  • Mindfulness therapy for tinnitus
    Events

    Mindfulness Therapy for Tinnitus

    Last night’s Mindfulness for Wellbeing workshop at the Marlow BTA Tinnitus Support Group was very well attended. Held at Help in Hearing’s Marlow practice in Glade Road, the event was presented by Costas Lambropoulos and Dr Charlotte Morris from Paron Mindfulness and also discussed the suitability of mindfulness therapy for tinnitus.

    The workshop took us on a journey of how to cultivate awareness of the present moment. We experienced three different mini meditation practices to give an insight into our own awareness and how we react to what arises in our lives and therefore how to respond.

    Costas trained as a teacher, trainer and supervisor in mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) at the Oxford Mindfulness Centre. He also has extensive experience in the NHS where he has been working as a mindfulness teacher, cognitive behavioural therapist and trainer. Charlotte, who also trained at the Oxford Mindfulness Centre is a Counselling Psychologist with an independent practice in Buckinghamshire.

    Mindfulness is not new and is rooted in ancient wisdom and practices. In the last 40 years, there has been a growing interest in whether it can help improve wellbeing, peace and contentment in our often busy and demanding lives.

    Paron are also running another workshop in Marlow, running from 3.30-5.15pm on Saturday 24th November at All Saints Church Hall, Marlow, SL7 2AA. There is an 8-week course starting on 20th October at the Compass theatre in Ickenham. For further details contact: info@paronmindfulness.co.uk

    Mindfulness Therapy for Tinnitus

    Paron Mindfulness have written this exclusive guest editorial especially for Help in Hearing. Please click the link to read the full article, “Can mindfulness help tinnitus?“

    If you’d like to discuss tinnitus symptoms, please get in touch. Or visit our tinnitus pages: “Tinnitus Explained” and “Tinnitus Management.” 

    We also hold a regular Tinnitus Support Group event for people with tinnitus in the Marlow & Farnham Common areas. Please visit our Tinnitus Support Group page to find out future meeting dates.

  • Do I need ear wax removal?
    Tips & Advice

    Do I need ear wax removal?

    What is ear wax?

    Ear wax is a natural secretion found in the ear. It helps to keep the ear canal lubricated while protecting the ears against dirt, dust and bacteria. Without a certain amount of ear wax, the ears will become dry and increasingly prone to infection. Wax or cerumen, as it is medically known, can build up, causing problems within the ear. This can happen over time if an individual has dry, narrow or hairy ear canals.

    It’s not always a good idea to try and clear the wax yourself. Pushing cotton buds, hair clips or any other similar implements down the ear canal can lead to irritation. You will only agitate the ear canal, stripping it of its natural oils, causing discomfort and itchiness. When showering or swimming, water can get into the ear expanding the wax. This may give a sensation of blockage in the ear and for tinnitus sufferers, increasing the perception of tinnitus.

    What should you do about ear wax removal?

    The build-up of ear wax can also vary from person to person depending on their age, diet and environment. If wax build-up is causing problems with hearing loss, partial deafness or is uncomfortable, it’s time to seek the services of audiologist specialists. Ears with too much wax in them can certainly be troublesome and in some cases, painful. If you have discharge coming from the ears, don’t attempt any home remedies, hearing health is too important. An independent audiologist will provide all the advice and support needed in alleviating ear wax build-up.

    Ways to remove ear wax

    If ear wax removal is necessary, it can be removed by irrigation (water) or if possible, “dry removal” using a small probe. This can’t be undertaken however if an individual has had ear surgery, a perforated ear drum or a recent infection. Another method is ear wax microsuction, which is a procedure useing gentle suction to remove excessive or troublesome ear wax. It is performed with the aid of a surgical microscope and a calibrated suction device, without the introduction of any materials or liquids. Ear wax microsuction is one of the safest, most effective, quickest and most comfortable methods of removing ear wax. Whichever form of ear wax removal is best for you, an experienced audiologist will explain it before treatment begins. Many people, in fact, find the removal of ear wax quite a pleasant experience. Once the wax is removed, sound won’t be muffled anymore and your ears will feel better too.

    Do I need ear wax removal? Where to find out more

    To find out more about ear wax removal, visit our Ear Wax Removal page. Or please fill in our contact form to get in touch or book an appointment for ear wax removal.