5 Steps to hearing aids

The first and hardest step for many is the first one, making an appointment for a hearing test. Research has shown it takes people 7 to 10 years to do something about their hearing loss. Of course, while you are getting used to the idea that you may have some hearing loss, you are missing conversations and connections with people every day.

Adapting to hearing loss by changing the way you live your life

When you have hearing loss, the people around you adjust to your hearing loss so they can communicate with you. Friends and family learn they need to speak louder so, they do not have to repeat themselves. As time goes by, they may choose not to share incidental comments. You may start to make different decisions on how you will use your time (like avoiding social situations and communicating less). Hearing loss impacts the way you live your life. There is also a lot of new research showing other long-term effects of hearing loss when it is left untreated.

Diagram showing the process an approximate timeline for the life cycle of a pair of hearing aids

Step 1: Book a time to see us

Having a hearing test

The first easy step is to have a hearing test. The hearing test will give you a clearer idea about your type and degree of hearing loss and how this is affecting the way you live your life. For example; your hearing test may explain why you can hear some sounds as well as everyone else; but you can’t follow the conversation when it is noisy. At this point, we will also suggest your options for help with your hearing, and if we need to refer you to a medical specialist, we will look at this point.

The next question is “Do you need hearing aids?”. Your audiologist will let you know if your hearing is in the range where hearing aids will help and your family may also have an opinion on you getting help with your hearing. However, it is essential that once you decide to get hearing aids that you are taking this step for yourself. It is true that other people in your life are probably affected by your hearing loss. However, it is better for everyone if getting hearing aids is your choice.

Step 2: Hearing Assessment & Discussion

A full diagnostic hearing test will clarify your hearing levels and help identify possible causes of your hearing loss.

Explaining the hearing test

The cause of hearing loss can be:

• conductive – A blockage reduces sound from passing through the outer or middle ear causing hearing loss
• sensorineural – where the cochlear is not able to detect all the sounds
• an auditory processing disorder (APD) – where the brain cannot process the sound that is detected by your ears.

Your Audiologist will discuss your test results. If there is hearing loss, we will let you know why it is affecting your ability to understand people speaking; even though you can hear some sounds easily. At this point, we will refer you on to any other professionals, for further assessment or management, if needed.

If you are interested, we will tell you a bit about hearing aids and possible options that might suit you. You can even have a listen through some hearing aids.

Step 3: Needs Assessment

Once you have decided to learn more about hearing aids, we will go through your needs assessment process. We will ask you questions about your lifestyle and hearing challenges. From here, we can decide on the hearing aid features and level of technology that suits you best. At this point, we create a list of situations where you would like to hear and communicate better. When choosing hearing aids for you, we take into account your:

• Hearing loss and other physical factors
• Lifestyle and your hearing needs
• Preferences, i.e. what the hearing aid will look like or specific functionality
• Funding and budget – you may be eligible for funding from a government agency

Finding out about your hearing needs

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Grant Waldrom – Orewa

I initially went to Maree because I wanted an independent audiologist to assess my hearing. From the first visit, I had total confidence in her as I went through this journey to be able to regain my hearing. I was never pressured to purchase any particular brand, nor was I pressured to purchase aids that were beyond what I needed. As a result, I am very happy with the aids that I now use, and with the follow up I received and will continue to receive.

Maree and Anna were a delight to deal with, and I thoroughly recommend Auckland Hearing.

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Your hearing aid trial

Once you have decided to trial hearing aids, the process usually takes four to six weeks. The eight-week trial period allows you to be confident that you hear well with your hearing aids in various listening environments. Depending on your type and degree of hearing loss, it takes a few days to a few weeks to adjust to hearing sound again. Eight weeks is plenty of time for you to go through the adaptation process and get used to your new hearing aids.

Hearing aids are always paid for in full before taking them home. If you decide that hearing aids are not for you, you can hand them back within the eight-week time frame. If you do, you will be refunded the cost of the hearing aids minus the deposit (which covers some of the time we spent with you). We also have the option of changing to other hearing aids at this time if needed.

Step 4: Hearing Aid Fitting Appointment

Our main goal at the fitting is to get you comfortable with the sound and management of your new hearing aids.  We will:

• Calculate the sound required and program your hearing aids specifically for your hearing loss.
• Do real-ear measures – use a small soft microphone to measure the sound in your ear canal.  Real-ear measures verify that the hearing aids have the right amplification to compensate for your hearing loss.
• Discuss the management of hearing aids, including, putting them in your ears, adjusting them, setting up remote control apps on your phone, cleaning and care and using the phone
• Talk to you about how it takes time to adjust to hearing sound again and the importance of wearing the hearing aids as much as you can.
• Book the follow-up appointment – in 1 or 2 weeks.

Hearing aid fitting – with real-ear measures

Follow up appointments

Follow up appointments allow us to check how you are going with the hearing aids and make adjustments, as required. Usually, people have got used to the initial settings of the hearing aids and are ready for a clearer sound. The number of follow up appointments required will vary for different clients.

Follow up appointments

Step 5: Finalising your hearing aids and ongoing care

Finalising means that you are happy with your hearing aids and have decided you want to keep them. We will not schedule another appointment at this time. However, you are welcome to contact us again if you have further questions or need adjustments to your hearing aids.

6 Months of appointments included

We include all the appointments up until 6 months in your initial fitting fees.  That way, we can make sure your hearing aids are working well for you.

Ongoing care of your hearing and hearing aids

Warranty repairs

It is worth having your hearing aids sent off for a check over before your warranty expires. We will contact you before your warranty expires, so you can bring your hearing aids in and we will send them off. In many cases, the hearing aids are replaced or repaired under warranty, giving you refurbished hearing aids moving forward.

Bi-annual hearing test and hearing aid adjustment appointments

We will send you an email each year, asking how you are going with your hearing aids. Every two years, we will recommend a bi-annual review. We recommend you have a hearing test and hearing aid adjustment every two years, or sooner if you notice a change in your hearing. At your hearing test and hearing aid adjustment appointment, we will test your hearing and adjust your hearing aids to your current hearing levels.

We will also check your hearing aids over and make sure they are working as they should. If your hearing aids are not working as expected, we will send them off for repair. These appointments ensure you continue to hear as well as possible with your hearing aids.

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Maree contacted me recently, and I went in for another check where she gave my hearing aids a tune-up to maintain their efficiency. With my slowly deteriorating hearing, I hadn’t noticed I didn’t hear as clearly as before. I was surprised at how much more I could hear once my hearing aids were adjusted. Excellent service indeed!

Max Ross- Auckland CBD

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Replacing your hearing aids

Traditionally hearing aids lasted about 4-5 years as they would be affected by wax, moisture, dust and dirt. Now, most hearing aids are covered by high tech coatings that make them much more resistant to moisture.

Hearing aid lifetime – It is not possible to tell how long these current aids will last but with proper care possibly 6-8 years. You will need regular hearing assessments and adjustments over that time to keep them working the best for you.

Insurance – Please list your hearing aids on your insurance policy just in case they get lost or something happens to them.

As an Auckland Hearing client, you will become part of our Auckland Hearing community. As long as you are interested, we will keep you up to date about the hearing world from hearing care to the latest hearing aids.

Please feel free to browse among the other articles about hearing loss and hearing aids.

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A bit about Auckland Hearing

Anna and Maree – At Auckland Hearing

Auckland Hearing is an independent hearing aid and audiology clinic set up by Maree O’Sullivan.  Maree
has worked in Audiology for nearly 25 years and started Auckland Hearing so she could focus on the needs of each client (rather than corporate profits).

We provide a full range of hearing services and work with all of the Ministry of Health approved hearing aid brands in New Zealand. This means we can fit the hearing aids that best suit your needs.

Call Anna to book your appointment with Maree now.

The post Getting Hearing Aids – What is the Process? appeared first on Auckland Hearing.

The key to success with hearing aids is: that you have decided for yourself that you are ready to get help with your hearing.

Have you observed or decided some or all of these:

• you’ve have noticed that your hearing is influencing the way you live your life
• it is time to improve your communication
• you would like to improve your relationships with family, friends and work colleagues

And that you want to do it for you – not to please someone else.

When would it not be YOUR decision to get hearing aids?

• Sometimes well-intentioned family members influence people to get hearing aids
• you may be influenced by a professional – based on the level of hearing loss (audiogram)
• Because you “should” even though you are not quite ready in yourself

Why do you need to make this decision for yourself?

Over the years that your hearing has been gradually changing, so has your brain. The hearing part of your brain has been receiving less sound input, so it has had less information to process. It has forgotten what to do, as it hasn’t had to work so hard. Other parts of your brain have been working harder to try and keep up with the conversation. You need to use context and visual cues to work out what is being said. This can cause auditory fatigue or tiredness at the end of the day.

Luckily, once we provide that missing sound to your hearing system with hearing aids, your brain can begin to use the information again. Brain plasticity means you can relearn and rewire. Just like when we start on a new exercise program; when we get hearing aids, we need to start slowly and rebuild our “hearing muscles”. As long as it hasn’t been too long and your hearing loss is not too severe, your brain plasticity will mean you will relearn to process the sounds you have been missing and usually, we can get most of your hearing functionality back.

It can be hard work at the beginning as you adjust to hearing again.

Luckily, hearing aids now have an excellent sound quality, and you will adjust very quickly as long as you wear them all the time and get used to hearing again.  Within half an hour, sounds that seemed strange or new when you first put on the hearing aids will begin to normalise.

The key to real success with hearing aids is continual use. You must be ready in yourself to get hearing aids, so you embrace the process for maximum benefit. We want to create a new normal – Normal to hear.

To create a new normal, we are going to ask you to wear your hearing aids as much as you can, from the time you wake up in the morning until you go to bed at night.  At first, you may find it tiring. Your brain will have to work hard to process the extra sound that it had forgotten about over the last few years.  By the end of the first two weeks, you should be at the point where you can wear your hearing aids all day every day. By the time you finalise your hearing aids, it will feel normal for you to hear.

Helping you adjust – moving from comfort to clarity

Usually, we begin the hearing aid fitting process by working out how much sound you require to compensate for your hearing loss, then turning the hearing aids down.  The goal at the first fitting is to get the sound comfortable. We want you to wear the hearing aids as much as possible, giving your brain time to adjust to the new sounds.  We then gradually turn the sound up over time.  This process gives your brain time to adapt and change, keeping sound comfortable at the start and increasing the clarity over time.

You must decide that you need hearing aids for yourself. Once you have chosen to improve your hearing, there will be a short adaption process to go through as you adjust to hearing again.

Being ready and in a positive mindset, helps this process run smoothly.

You are about to start on a hearing adventure.

Max Ross
Auckland City

What will help you get to the point of readiness for hearing aids?

When you come along for your hearing assessment appointment, we will talk to you about your hearing loss and how it is affecting your life.  We will present options to help with your hearing (if required).  After this appointment, you will have time to think about and notice those effects as they happen in your everyday life.

You will know when you are ready to take action.  You will be ready to:

• hear accurately – the first time – not have to ask for repeats
• get involved in conversations – rather than quietly sitting back, so you do not feel embarrassed in case you miss something
• feel more relaxed – as you will hear the doorbell, the phone ring and the person walking up from behind
• be more confident – as you are sure you are responding correctly
• communicate easier in your close relationships – because you hear the first time – correctly

Ready Now? Follow this link to book your appointment.

Once you have decided to get hearing aids, please give us a call and we will make you an appointment.

Or read on to the next article to find out more about the process of getting hearing aids.

A bit about Auckland Hearing

Auckland Hearing is an independent hearing aid and audiology clinic set up by Maree O’Sullivan.  Maree
has worked in Audiology for nearly 25 years. She started Auckland Hearing so she could focus on the needs of each client (rather than corporate profits).

We provide a full range of hearing services and work with all of the Ministry of Health approved hearing aid brands in New Zealand. This means we can fit the hearing aids that best suit your needs.

The post Making your decision to get hearing aids appeared first on Auckland Hearing.

The post A hearing journey – Your path to hearing again appeared first on Auckland Hearing.

Hearing loss is widespread, and it affects people of all ages. There are many reasons for hearing loss including hereditary factors, noise exposure, trauma and ear disease.  Hearing loss becomes more common as we age. Research shows increased severity of hearing loss correlates to increased memory loss and dementia.

Prevalence of hearing loss in New Zealand

This graph shows the results from a study by the National Foundation of the Deaf called Social and economic costs of hearing loss in New Zealand (published in December 2016).

Hearing loss is usually gradual. In the beginning, the hearing loss takes away the beginning of the sentence, the little details and the punchline. With time hearing loss may increase mental fatigue – as you concentrate harder to follow along. It can begin to erode your confidence – as you are no longer sure about what was said and it can lead you to feel embarrassed about missing the details or about having to ask for repeats too often.

The gradual nature of hearing loss means that we adapt over time. We change our behaviour, we choose our environments, and slowly our relationships change as everyone adjusts to a change in our hearing. Often hearing loss leads people to socialise less, which can lead to less overall activity.  Hearing loss is also linked to memory loss and dementia (or cognitive decline).

Hearing loss is invisible and sneaky.

As hearing changes, we adjust.

Gradually it affects personality and relationships.

Hearing loss changes us over time.

Maree O’Sullivan (Audiologist)

Hearing loss is linked to memory loss and dementia

In 2013, Frank R. Lin, MD, PhD conducted a study on the topic of hearing loss and cognitive decline. The study observed 1,984 adults over six years. They tracked the progression of their hearing loss and cognitive function. He found there is little doubt that hearing loss is a factor affecting the loss of mental acuity in older adults.

The study found that people with more severe hearing loss had a higher likelihood of developing a cognitive disorder, and an increased decline in mental function. Even subjects with mild hearing loss were found more likely to experience cognitive difficulties like memory loss and dementia; it is also linked to increased falls.

The exact link between hearing loss and cognitive decline is not yet fully understood, and current studies are focusing on this question. It is possible that is due to increased “cognitive load”, where the brain is overwhelmed with demands on its limited resources. Concentrating hard to follow a conversation means we have fewer resources for other things like memory and maintaining balance.

Hearing loss, memory loss and dementia

“Communicating when you have a hearing loss, takes up a lot of brain power. It’s a bit like a computer that runs slower when there is a large program running in the background,” says Maree O’Sullivan, Audiologist from Auckland Hearing.

There is evidence that the part of the brain that was used by the hearing system gets reallocated and is used by the visual system in people with hearing loss.  “Declines in hearing abilities may also accelerate grey matter atrophy and increase the listening effort necessary to comprehend speech.  Hearing aids may not only improve hearing but preserve the brain,” said Dr Lin.

How hearing loss may effect hearing

Hearing aids may help reduce memory loss and cognitive decline

As evidence continues to mount that hearing loss is a contributing factor in the development of memory loss and dementia, it is imperative to consider the profound consequences of ignoring hearing loss. People with hearing loss on average wait ten years before they seek treatment for hearing loss; even though the sooner hearing loss is detected and treatment begins, the more hearing ability (auditory brain function) can be maintained.

“Considering early diagnosis and medical intervention of hearing loss slows the progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, it is more important than ever for patients to get their hearing loss treated sooner rather than later,” said Maree O’Sullivan – Audiologist at Auckland Hearing.

Research has shown that people that wear hearing aids do not show the same cognitive decline as those who don’t.  However, although there is a definite co-relation, Dr Frank Lin and his team are not prepared to assume causation, meaning that we can not assume that wearing hearing aids reduces cognitive decline. Reduced cognitive decline that is measured may be due to other factors, for example, education levels or socioeconomic factors that may lead some people to get hearing aids and others to choose not to.  A very large study is currently underway by Frank Lin and his team to clarify whether wearing hearing aids protect from memory loss and dementia when taking into account other factors.

At Auckland Hearing, we see positive change in our clients after they get hearing aids, anecdotal evidence that hearing aids keep you active. We often measure improvement in our client’s ability to understand speech (using speech perception testing), once people with hearing loss start wearing their hearing aids all day every day. Human brains have plasticity which means they are continually adapting. Once people retrain their brain by exposing it to sound every day, they hear better and can be more involved in the world around them.

A bit about Auckland Hearing

Auckland Hearing Team

Call Sarah to book your appointment with Yvonne or Maree now.

Auckland Hearing is an independent hearing aid and audiology clinic set up by Maree O’Sullivan.  Maree has worked in Audiology for nearly 25 years and started Auckland Hearing so she could focus on the needs of each client (rather than corporate profits).

We provide a full range of hearing services and work with all of the Ministry of Health approved hearing aid brands in New Zealand. This means we can fit the hearing aids that best suit your needs.

The post Did you know that hearing loss is linked to memory loss and dementia? appeared first on Auckland Hearing.

• ACC contribute towards the intial cost of the hearing aids – please see details below
• Partial funding for earmoulds
• ACC contribute to 2 clinic appointments each year after the first year
• Hearing aid repairs over the life of the hearing aids
• A second opinion – ACC will fund a consultation with a second clinic before trialling your hearing aids
• Hearing aid batteries are covered by ACC

The post ACC hearing aid funding – Included products and services appeared first on Auckland Hearing.

Like computers, tablets and phones, innovations in hearing aid technology is improving quickly. Hearing aids have more and more functions and features which fit into tiny packages that sit in or behind your ear. Current hearing aids do more than compensate for hearing loss with amplification. They are small computers that measure your sound environment then modify the way they amplify to maximise your hearing clarity.

When getting hearing aids, we need to consider the technology level and functionality that will best compensate for your hearing loss. There are also other features and additional connectivity technology you might find useful to make life easier.

Getting the right hearing aids for you

Excellent core hearing aid functionality is key to success. Choosing the correct level of amplification, fitting to your ear and technology level for your hearing needs must be guided carefully by your Audiologist. Follow this link for more details about how we go about assessing your listening needs.

Once we have decided on the right hearing aid technology for you, we can consider the added features that are available. These can help with ease of use, connectivity and better hearing in specific listening environments. These features are available at most technology levels. Once we have decided on the right hearing aids for you, we can determine the technology level to go along with them.

In an ideal world, hearing aids measure the sound environment, highlight the sound you want to hear and bring it to you with increased clarity. In most cases, hearing aids do this well. However, at times, you may wish to adjust the hearing aid sound for the environment you are in. You may want to appreciate the nuances of music, hear the person who is speaking from behind you, like in a car; or understand better in a particularly reverberant (echoey) room.

In these cases, you may want to change the way the hearing aids are working; adjust the volume or focus on sound in a particular direction. These are the situations where a remote-control app may come in handy. Apps usually give you the option to change your hearing aid volume, program setting and, in some cases, pitch and adjust how the hearing aids respond in noise.

Rechargeable batteries

Rechargeable batteries in hearing aids have been available for several years. Within the last year, we have seen a surge of new rechargeable hearing aids from more manufacturers with improved battery life. The three main reasons to choose rechargeable hearing aids:

1. Simplicity – pick up your hearing aids and put them on in the morning and at night put them back in the charger. No need to open battery doors to turn them off or having batteries run out unexpectedly.
2. The environment – many people are aware of the waste they create when they dispose of used hearing aid batteries every week or two.
3. Less cost and hassle– although the battery charger costs a little more at the beginning, there is an overall cost saving when choosing rechargeable hearing aids. There is also the added convenience of not having to think about buying batteries.

Connecting your hearing aids directly to your TV, sound system or tablet means you will hear the sound a lot clearer the first time. Following the dialogue in movies and TV becomes so much easier. In most cases, we need to add an intermediate device that sends the signal from your preferred audio device to your hearing aids.

Brain and body tracking

New hearing aids from Starkey and Oticon can now work as a fitness tracker, measuring the steps you do each day. Some hearing aids have inbuilt systems to keep you active both physically and cognitively. Features released in 2019 in by Starkey are:

• Track your daily steps and set a goal to encourage you to stay active every day.
• Fall detection – they will send family members a text if you fall
• On the horizon – Heart rate measurements – which can send an alert if the wearer is soon to have a heart attack and send a text message to up to 3 family members. A special earmould detects your heartbeat.
• Your hearing aids can measure the amount of time you are using them and you can see your usage on the app. We know from research that the more you wear your hearing aids the better it is for your brain and cognitive function (including memory).

Hearing aids self check

Hearing aids self check lets you know if you hearing aids are working as expected. When the hearing aids are new, we run a check in the office. Then at anytime this test can be rerun with the results compared to the initial test.  The hearing aids will let you know if they are working as expected or if they are not working correctly which part of the hearing aids needs to be repaired. The microphone, amplifier or receiver (loud speaker). This allows for accurate trouble shooting and keeping your hearing aids working as expected at all time.

Remote microphone technology

One of the biggest challenges for people with significant hearing loss is hearing across distance. Speech understanding can be difficult over more than a few meters, even the best hearing aid technology. Another built-in advantage of the connectivity is that you can use your phone as a remote microphone. Just put your iPhone at the other end of the table or give it to the person with the quiet voice. The sound that reaches the iPhone microphone (or a connected remote microphone) and will be sent directly to your hearing aids.

Remote programming

For some people getting into the clinic to see your audiologist can be a challenge. Maybe you live a long way from the clinic, are not able to get to appointments during work hours or are homebound, for medical or transport reasons. If this describes you, then we have a solution – Telecare audiology is now a reality.

Tele-audiology means that some of the hearing aid fitting process can be delivered from the comfort of your home or office. Once we have done a thorough hearing assessment and have fitted the hearing aids in the clinic (using real ear measures), we can do further follow-ups from a distance.  All you need is a smartphone, and your hearing aids can be adjusted over the internet. Being able to customize your hearing aids from the comfort of your home makes the process of getting hearing aids more manageable than before.

Hearing aid style and cosmetics

Finding the most discrete hearing aids is a priority for many new hearing aid users. Cosmetics, of course, has to be balanced with comfort, reliability, sound quality and functionality (hearing well in more complex situations). Some of the smaller hearing aids, look great and may be able to compensate well for your hearing loss, but may not work as well as other styles in difficult listening situations.

Receiver in the canal (RIC)

The most commonly fitted style of hearing aids in recent times is the Receiver In the Canal (RIC), also known as the Receiver In The Ear (RITE) / (RIE). These hearing aids have a relatively small hearing aid that sits behind the ear, the receiver (loudspeaker) that sits in the ear.

These hearing aids are discreet, comfortable. and easy to wear. If there is a change in hearing levels, the receiver can be changed easily to a more powerful loudspeaker, in the clinic. Or if the receiver breaks down, it can be replaced in the clinic with less hassle (at a significantly lower repair cost). Receiver in the canal hearing aids can be worn with universal fit domes or custom moulds.

 

There are also many behind the ear styles available with various tubing options for those with more significant hearing loss or other specialise hearing needs.

In the canal hearing aids (IICs, CICs and ITEs)

Some people prefer not the have anything sitting behind their ear. There are various size options available to match your priorities, including Invisible in the Canal (IIC) hearing aids, Completely in the Canal (CICs) and In the Ear (ITE) hearing aids. Most brands have these hearing aid styles available.

ITE hearing aids have historically come with trade-offs in comfort and reliability. Having an electronic device deep inside your ear means more problems with moisture and wax; these issues improved dramatically over the past few years. There are many in the ear styles available.

So – how would you like your hearing aids?

In my experience, most people like milk with their tea. Some people enjoy sugar in their coffee. Sometimes I prefer herbal tea.

How do you like your hearing aids?

Connectable?

Rechargeable?

Fall detection?

Remote programming?

Significant research and development in hearing aid technology means new hearing aids are being released almost continually.  As you can see, there are many options to be considered when choosing hearing aids. It is essential to consider how you would like your hearing aids to work for you. Our needs assessment will help steer you in the right direction to get the hearing aids that suit your lifestyle and listening needs best. Finding out about your preferences is an integral part of choosing the best hearing aids for you.

At Auckland Hearing, we keep up to date with new developments from all the manufacturer’s product lines. This is so we can choose the most up to date hearing aids that are best suited to your needs.

The post Hearing Aid Technology and Innovation appeared first on Auckland Hearing.

When you finalised you hearing aids your Audiologist sent in a battery request form for your ACC hearing aid batteries. ACC knows the size and type of batteries you need. The quantity of batteries you are expected to need is also on file and they are allocated to you each 6 months or so.

ACC hearing aid battery order options:

Or for any other questions about ordering your ACC hearing aid batteries or more information about your hearing loss claim contact the ACC Hearing Loss team on 0800 101 996.

The post ACC hearing aid batteries – how to order batteries for ACC funded hearing aids appeared first on Auckland Hearing.

There are multiple factors involved in choosing hearing aids and fitting them well. We need to start with an accurate hearing assessment (and referral for any medical factors that need to be managed, where required). Hearing aids need to have the right amount of power to compensate for your hearing loss and need to be fitted to your ears with comfortable moulds or domes. Hearing aids must be programmed to have the right level of sound output to compensate for your hearing loss, and they must be adjusted for your unique ear acoustics. You will also need to go through a time of adaption while you adjust to the hearing sounds you may not have heard for many years.

Consumer choice or medical model?

Where does getting hearing aids fit in?

When choosing hearing aids, technology level is important. It is important to match your lifestyle to the technology level in your hearing aids. There is no point in getting hearing aids that will not meet your everyday listening needs.

In our technology-driven world, it is easy to believe that just getting the right hearing aids is all that is needed to help you hear better. However, getting hearing aids is more of a combination of getting a new smartphone and having a medical procedure; for example, getting a knee replacement.

More than just the technology

Buying a smartphone

Having hearing aids fitted

Having a knee replacement

When you buy your smartphone there is a consumer or sales focus: Choosing your smartphone is mainly about the product.

You choose the platform you like to work with (i.e. Android / iPhone) and the level of technology. A salesperson might help you select the technology to suit you best. The salesperson may help you set your new phone up in the shop, or you take it home and set it up yourself. The main differentiating factor between a smartphone that works well and one that is not as good, is the product that you chose to buy. These products are designed to plug and play. Just start using them.

If you have a knee replacement (medical model): There are various types of knee replacements available. However, we do not get into a discussion about which knee replacement we will get.

There are too many details about the knee replacement parts that we do not understand the importance of. The surgeon chooses the best implant for our situation taking into account our anatomy and how we will need to use the implant and we have surgery to put it into our body. The surgeon explains what to expect on the day of the surgery, how long it will take to recover and how to adjust to using your new knee. The decisions made by the surgeon and their skill level at the surgery is key to our success with our new knee.

Having hearing aids fitted is a combination of consumer choice and medical model:

Once you have decided to you are ready to hear better, we work with you to decide which hearing technology will best suit your needs. There are many brands of technology and within each brand there are many models and styles of hearing aids and other technology they can connect with.

At Auckland Hearing, we are an independent clinic. We are not owned by a hearing aid manufacturer or owned by a multinational company that dictates the technology that we need to fit for our clients. This gives us a unique opportunity to assess each brand and model of technology and choose the best solution for each person we see.

Choosing hearing aids and the right technology (the consumer choice part)

The technology/consumer side is where you are involved in the decisions: When choosing hearing aids we will ask you many questions about your priorities and specific areas where you would like to hear better. At this point, we will create specific goals for your hearing improvement and also clarify realistic expectations that we can achieve for your hearing levels.

The higher the technology level you choose the better the hearing aids will work in more complex listening situations. The technology level is linked to the cost of the hearing aids and your Audiologist will work with you to help you choose hearing aids that meet your listening needs at the budget you are comfortable with.

You will be involved in choosing the hearing aids features that you think will be most important for you:

Bringing it all together for better long term hearing outcomes.

We help you understand and accept your hearing loss and make sure you are ready to move forward to getting hearing aids or other hearing management. We do a lot of counselling about the adjustment to hearing aids and the effects of hearing sounds that you have not been aware for a while. We prepare you for the change that will happen when you can hear again and start gently with the sound, turning it up gradually with time so you have time to adjust. We manage the fit of the hearing aids to your ears, so the hearing aids are comfortable and are holding in sound, or letting out low-frequency sound, whichever will best suit your hearing levels.

Come and see your skilful Audiologist

(Maree O’Sullivan) at Auckland Hearing

for your best hearing outcomes.

The post Your Audiologist and your Success with Hearing Aids appeared first on Auckland Hearing.

Happiness is having a scratch for every itch. Ogden Nash

The most obvious way to manage itchy ears is to get to the itch and scratch it. However, like most itches, scratching will likely make it worse, not better.

The skin in your ear canal is very thin and sensitive, which makes it prone to injury and dryness and the itch in your ear canal is often hard to reach.  I have heard of people using all sorts of tools to get to the itch which not only makes the itch worse, it makes it potentially dangerous (for example think: a pointy object in ear next to a quickly opening door – YES it happens).

So what could be causing the annoying itch? And what is the best way to manage it for the long-term?

What is causing your itchy ears?

Wax build up

In most cases, ear canals do a good job at self-cleaning. Wax is designed to work its way out of your ear (often in a spiral pattern) from the eardrum to the ear canal entrance; where you can clean it away with a tissue or cloth. On its journey toward the ear canal entrance, the wax picks up dead skin cells and any other foreign particles and removes them from your ear canal. A clever system to clean this mostly inaccessible orifice. For some people with particularly narrow or bendy ear canals, wax gets trapped on its way out of the ear canal. This can feel itchy and of course, over time it can block your hearing. The best way to manage this it to see an ear nurse who will use a microscope to look down your canal while they suck out the wax build up, of course, they can check for other possible causes of skin irritation or infection.

Allergic reactions

A common cause of itchy ears is an inflammation of the lining of the ear canal due to an allergic reaction. The reaction could be caused by shampoos or soaps, overused earplugs or deeper fitting earphones.

Has there been a recent change in the products you use? The sensitive ear canal skin can be more prone to skin irritations and inflammation than other skin areas like your head or face. Does the itch reduce when you stop using the new product?

Infections – fungal or bacterial

Fungal or bacterial infection of the external auditory canal (otitis externa) is another cause of itch in the ear canal.

Infections of the ear canals occur when there is constant humidity where an infection can grow. This can happen for people who wear occluding earplugs or hearing aids or swim often and is more common in people with diabetes.  If you suspect an infection see your GP (for drops) or an Ear nurse specialist who will clear and manage the infection.

Known skin conditions

Itching ears may be a side effect of a systemic skin condition affecting the rest of the body, such as psoriasis or eczema. If you have been diagnosed with one of these conditions, it can also affect your ear canals.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post What could be causing your itchy ears? And what to do about it. appeared first on Auckland Hearing.

You may be able to get funding for hearing aids through ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation). So how do you apply for ACC hearing aid funding?

You may qualify for ACC hearing aid funding if you:

• have had an accident in New Zealand that caused hearing loss in one or both ears
• have worked in a noisy environment in New Zealand and you believe that it caused your hearing loss.

ACC provides three levels of funding

The level of ACC hearing aid funding for each claimant is decided by assessing each individuals situation and attributing how much of the hearing loss is due to the accident or noise exposure.

ACC hearing aid funding for both ears (Binaural)

• Level 1 – $ 3157.90 (incl GST)
• Level 2 – $3904.40 (incl GST)
• Level 3 – $4953.05 (incl GST)

ACC hearing aid funding for one ear (Monaural)

• Level 1 – $ 1873.35 (incl GST)
• Level 2 – $ 2247.10 (incl GST)
• Level 3 – $ 2770.93 (incl GST)

More information

In 2014 funding was changed and improved for ACC claimants here are some more details about the current ACC funding system.

How to order your ACC funded hearing aids batteries

If you do not feel ACC is the right path for you, please check out the other hearing aid funding options in New Zealand.

Getting started with your ACC application

If you are not sure about whether you could be eligible for an ACC claim or would like more information, please make an appointment for a free hearing check and discuss your options and the way forward.

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