Liverpool Hearing Centre News & Advice
Invisible Hearing Aids - How to Choose?
Best Invisible Hearing Aids
Not all invisible hearing aids are the same so you need to ask yourself a few questions before you can decide what's best for you.
- How invisible do they need to be?
- Is wireless/Bluetooth technology important to you?
- Do you require a tinnitus solution?
- Are you looking for the best cheap hearing aids?
Invisible hearing aids are now being made smaller as a result of new micro-components, 3D computer design and 3D laser printing technology. This also allows them to be more precisely manufactured. Here are some similarities that all small hearing aids share:
- They are best for moderate/severe hearing losses
- They need excellent impressions taking from a completely wax free ear canal
- Even the smallest hearing aid should be available with a trial period.
Phonak Audeo Marvel
Phonak Audéo Marvel Hearing Aid Comes To Liverpool
A clear, rich sound experience combined with modern technology, it is a multi-functional hearing aid that conveys love at first sound.
ReSound LiNX Quattro - Expand your world with an unmatched quality of sound
Appreciate the moments that matter most with brilliant sound quality From GN ReSound LiNX Quattro.
Make every moment in life sound better with ReSound LiNX Quattro's pioneering technology that gives clearer speech and new fuller sound improvements You get a richer experience throughout the day from the coffee brewing in the morning to the music playing in the evening all with greater clarity and fullness of sounds.
Oticon Siya is the First Hearing Aid in the Essentials Category with 2.4GHz Bluetooth®
A quantum leap forward for the whole essentials category of hearing aids!
Oticon has unveiled a new powerful, yet cost-effective, hearing aid. The Oticon Siya is a new innovation from the pioneers of BrainHearing™ and offers forward-thinking lifestyle enhancing technologies in an instrument with superb sound quality never before seen in the essentials category. Notably, Oticon Siya includes the revolutionary internet-connectivity that made a splash in the headlines globally for the premium Oticon Opn™ hearing aid. It is the world’s first hearing aid at these price points with 2.4GHz Bluetooth® low energy technology.
A New Scientific Approach to Choosing the Right Hearing Aids for Your Hearing and Your Lifestyle
With hundreds of different private hearing aids out there, how do you know you're getting the best advice?
One of the biggest questions people have about private hearing aids is 'how do I know which one is best for me?'
There are hundreds of models to choose from by numerous brands and with the selection of features varying on different technology specifications, even the best audiology professionals can get confused sometimes.
The traditional approach involves the audiologist asking a variety of 'lifestyle' questions and forming an interpretation of that individual's life in terms of sound. There is a genuine skill to this, particularly in asking the right questions and delving further into the important areas to assist in choosing the right device. This has been the best method so far but it leaves a lot of room for error... until now.
Liverpool Hearing Centre is trialling a different approach. What is we could loan everyone a special pair of hearing aids that could perform at any level? What if there was a way to try anything from the lowest cost, most basic device to the latest, most expensive, multi-featured hearing aids in the world before paying a single penny? Well, at Liverpool Hearing Centre, that's exactly what we do!
We initially loan the hearing aids to our patients on a 4 week trial basis to go about their everyday lives. During this time the hearing aid measures every single environment encountered and records all the features that are used and the level they are used at. Arriving back at Liverpool Hearing Centre for a 2 week mid-trial appointment, that data can be analysed by the audiologist's software to suggest the exact hearing aids that would be suitable for that person and prevent the patient from over-spending on something that they may not need.
NHS vs. Private Hearing Aids
It may sound odd as a private independent retailer of hearing aids that we love our NHS. We love them so much that we have campaigned on their behalf via the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists to make sure that during these terrible times of government austerity that the audiology department hasn't had to cut its services by too much.
However, some hospitals have had no choice but to take measures to meet demands. These include cutting patient/ audiologist time or appointments completely, outsourcing to the private sector but paying peanuts, only fitting patients when their hearing is 'bad enough', only fitting one hearing aid where two are necessary and fitting cheaper hearing aids that are way behind modern technology. Let it be said though that there are some magnificent audiology departments, audiologists and hearing care assistants in hospitals and on the high street doing some sterling work.
Two of our audiologists have both worked in NHS audiology departments in the past and comment that there are good and bad departments, but the quality of the technology available to them on the private side is vastly superior. Here are just some of the differences:
1. Choice
There are at any one time around 700 different types of hearing aids made by a number of manufacturers around the world. It's a private audiologist's main job to help you select the right ones for you. The NHS may give you a small selection of possibly up to three models but you're more likely to get what you're given.
2. Time
Once selected, it will now need customising and tailoring for your individual hearing which is personal to you as your fingerprint, and not everybody likes to hear things in the same way. The NHS generally allows you 45 minutes for a full hearing assessment and fitting of the hearing aid and the follow up appointment is often only a phone call these days. A good private hearing aid practice would probably spend about 90 minutes on the assessment alone, another 60 minutes on the fitting, and any number of 30-40 minute follow-up appointments to get the hearing aids precision tuned.
3. Style
Not everybody wants to wear hearing aids behind their ears. These can be extremely difficult for older people to fit. Many people would like their hearing aids to be 'invisible'. In the ear hearing aids are generally not available on the NHS.
Unitron Moxi Fit R
In addition to the original Moxi Now, Unitron now offer a rechargeable version. The Moxi Fit R is the world’s smallest rechargeable hearing aid instrument that offers over 24 hours of use, including 90 minutes of wireless streaming, that can be fully charged overnight in 6-7 hours.
A single rechargeable battery can replace up to 100 disposable batteries, though rechargeable battery cells can be swapped with traditional zinc-air batteries at any time so that they can be worn for longer periods when there is not a nearby charging station.
The Moxi Fit R features the new Tempus platform, which is 50% more accurate and 36% faster when compared to the North platform in recognising and locating speech.
Tempus has intelligent SoundCore technology, which contains a group of four features that work together to understand a user's listening environment. It automatically makes fluid adjustments so that users can actively participate in every conversation, across every environment.
SoundNav has four environments dedicated to conversation which precisely identifies and classifies signals into seven distinct environments, blending them to match real life.
SpeechPro lets patients understand speech and know where it's coming from in the most challenging listening situations: noise and conversations in crowd.
Sound Conductor dynamically balances adaptive features to make speech sound clearer across each unique listening environment once SoundNav has performed its analysis and classification.
Spatial Awareness gets hearing instruments out of the way so patients truly know which direction speech and other sounds are coming from, allowing a more natural, realistic sound experience.
The Moxi Fit R is currently available in 5 technology levels and 6 faceplate colours. A telecoil and push-button offers ultimate control and ease of use. It provides intuitive functionality, all-day comfort, and impressive aesthetics in the smallest rechargeable RIC hearing aid currently available.
Unitron Moxi Now and Tempus
Unitron’s Moxi Now has condensed the best of latest hearing aid technology into the world’s smallest receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid currently available, featuring the new Tempus platform. It improves performance in challenging listening environments, such as conversations in noise and conversations in crowds, and allows for a more natural sound experience with much less effort.
Tempus’s intelligent SoundCore technology allows you to make the most of all conversations. It has a group of four features which work together to automatically make fluid adjustments as needed to suit your listening environment.
SpeechPro focuses on the ability to understand speech and know where it is coming from, helping the wearer with Spatial Awareness and processing noises from the area around them.
Natural Sound Balance solves the challenge in open fittings that can occur when unnatural artifacts are produced as unamplified sounds enter the ear canal and combine with amplified sounds. It monitors these sounds and adaptively adjusts to preserve one clear, balanced signal.
The Moxi Now also has AntiShock, an industry first feature that eliminates the discomfort caused by sudden impulse noises (without completely removing the sounds or making them unrecognizable) to preserve speech comfort and clarity.
SoundNav precisely identifies and classifies signals into seven distinct environments, blending them to match real life. And it's the only solution out there that has four environments dedicated to conversations.
Automatical Adaption Manager is a great feature that helps new wearers overcome resistance to hearing aids by gently and comfortably transitioning them from the amplification they want to the amplification that they need for long-term optimal speech understanding.
The Moxi Now has a total of 12 colour options to choose from and is currently available in 3 technology levels: Moxi Now Pro, Moxi Now 800, and Moxi Now 700. Though each model has varying levels of technology, there are premium features available across all levels. This includes outdoor wind control, a feedback manager and a tinnitus masker.
Unitron Tempus Launch
Unitron Tempus
Sign up below and we'll call you back to book you in for a free 30 day trial. You are under no obligation to purchase the hearing aids but we would appreciate all feedback.
One of Liverpool Hearing Centre's clients gives his review after trying the new Unitron Tempus Moxi Fit R - the smallest rechargeable hearing aid in the world (at time of writing).
It quickly became clear that these hearing aids stand out because of their realistic 3D sound qualities. We absolutely love them for this reason. They sound so clean and refined with no background noise.
Click the button above for a free trial yourself.
ReSound Brings Relief to Tinnitus Sufferers
So we decided to take another look at ReSound's tinnitus app, ReSound Relief and we were excited to find some improvements. The new features in the app give even greater levels of personalization, flexibility, and convenience.
Anyone with tinnitus can benefit from the ReSound Relief app as part of a tinnitus management program. It offers a combination of sound therapy and relaxing exercises that aim to distract you from focusing on your tinnitus.
Although this app has been developed by a hearing aid manufacturer, you definitely do not need to wear hearing aids to take advantage of the app. It will work perfectly well through speakers or earphones and headphones. Many tinnitus sufferers will probably wish to use this in the bedroom and we recommend the use of a good quality Bluetooth speaker. There is a timer so you can fall asleep to the soothing sounds.
The ReSound Relief™ app uses a combination of sounds and relaxing exercises that aim to distract your brain from focusing on tinnitus. Over time the brain learns to focus less on the tinnitus. There are some audio exercises included to help train your brain and you can automatically track your progress. You can create your own soundscapes from a multitude of different sounds and balance the volume between the left and right ears.
We found this app easy to use and the relaxation exercises to be effective. No app is a replacement for professional cognitive therapy but the two will work extremely well together. Some of ReSound's hearing aids will connect directly to your phone and the app so you won't need headphones or earphones and some have tinnitus features built directly into the hearing aids that can be programmed by your audiologist so you don't need your phone either!
Bruckhoff Hannover Spectacle Hearing Aids
Liverpool Hearing Centre is working with Bruckhoff Hannover
We can customise your own personal glasses into a hearing system. Enjoy a unique hearing system which is individual, discreet and comfortable to wear. Please feel free to book a complimentary appointment to find out more about this excellent addition to our services on 0151 676 9608 or fill out the form below for a brochure.
Both glasses and hearing aids are worn behind the ear especially with some of the latest hearing technology so Bruckhoff Hannover has combined the two. Here are just some of the advantages:
- Added Value - The combination makes your own spectacles into a unique, smart and comfortable seeing and hearing system.
- Latest Technology - Bruckhoff Hannover is able to combine almost any manufacturer of hearing aids with your personal glasses so you can choose the best system for you.
- Discreet & Smart - Ideal for people who are looking for a discreet and smart solution for natural hearing.
- Quality of Life - Enjoy the perfect combination of good hearing and seeing.
- Click-System - You can click your hearing modules onto any of your glasses if you have more than one pair.
There are two kinds of spectacle glasses - bone conduction (BC) with nothing going into the ear at all and air conduction (AC) with sound being amplified and directed into the ear. Bone conduction hearing aids are mostly only suitable for patients who have poor air conduction hearing but still have good 'nerve hearing' - i.e. the cochlear (inner ear) is mostly intact but there has been some damage to the outer or middle ear, for example, a perforated ear drum, serious ear infections, a blow to the head, etc.
La Belle BC
La Belle BC is the perfect combination of your own spectacles combined Bruckhoff Hannover's own bone conduction hearing modules with nothing in the ear! Discreetly integrated and beautifully finished the new extra benefit for your glasses can hardly be seen but it can certainly be heard. You're already used to wearing glasses and the hearing system is quickly forgotten.
There are three models in the La Belle BC range which makes it easy to choose. They all come with a tone control, volume control, telecoil and 12 frequency bands. The BC 801 is the basic model and is not computer programmable so the frequency bands are fixed. Upgrade to the BC 811 and you now have 4 program options to suit different listening environments and the frequency bands can be adapted to your personal hearing loss. The BC 821 has 4 programs, programmable frequency bands and twin microphones for adaptive directionality for harder to hear conditions. Naturally, our preference is towards programmable customisation and automatic microphone adjustment to different situations
La Belle AC
Most people who are experiencing a natural decline in their hearing are going to be suited to air conduction hearing aids and Bruckhoff Hannover also makes it easy to wear these discreetly especially within their own range. Compared to other manufacturers, they've made it quite easy to choose. They have two models and each has two levels of technology.
La Belle is for your traditional kind of hearing aid with a standard tube and mould and will fit clients discreetly with a powerful hearing aid for moderate to severe hearing losses.
La Belle 2 uses a more invisible 'receiver in the canal' (RIC) delivery system and also allows for open fittings. This is more discreet and comfortable for clients who have a mild to moderate hearing loss.
Both hearing systems are available with one or two microphones allowing for directional hearing. In both cases, we would almost always recommend the twin microphone option.
It is important to note that spectacle hearing aids can be an efficient method of providing a CROS or BICROS solution. This is when the hearing is so poor in one ear that it can't be helped directly with amplification and therefore the sound is transferred across to the better hearing ear. This is only available in the La Belle models and not the La Belle 2 Receiver in Canal variants.
Unilateral Hearing Loss & Why One-sided Deafness Needs Investigating
One-sided deafness or single-ear hearing loss needs to be checked! Hearing loss in one ear can have several different causes.
Also known as unilateral hearing loss and unilateral deafness, it occurs when you have reduced or no hearing in just one ear. It may occur suddenly or gradually but it always needs to medically checked by your audiologist, GP and possibly ENT.
With even the slightest hearing loss in one ear it may be difficult to understand speech in a crowded room. You may also have a problem tuning out background noise and in determining which direction a sound is coming from.
injury/disease
Injuries, and medical conditions can also cause deafness in one ear, including beriberi, brittle bone disease, ear drum perforation, Meniere’s disease, swimmer’s ear, Paget’s disease, Reye’s syndrome and shingles, among others.
Loud Noises
There are two types loud noise that can cause permanent hearing loss - one would be from a sudden very loud noise like that of an explosion or continuous noise such as found in a noisy factory.
drugs
Some medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, diuretics, aspirin toxicity, and antibiotics like streptomycin can also be culprits.
Tumours
The GP may refer you to the hospital to a have a head scan. This is standard procedure for sudden unilateral deafness to rule out the extremely rare occurrence of head tumours affecting the auditory nerve.
Illness
Other causes, such as a build-up of wax in the ear canal or ear infections that can cause fluid build-up, are reversible, but causes due to problems with the inner workings of the ear itself, may be permanent.
treatment
Treatment, depending on the cause, can include surgery to repair the ear or remove a tumor, antibiotics to treat infection, steroids to reduce inflammation and swelling or discontinuing use of a medication that is causing the hearing loss.
Treatment could be simple, such as having a hearing health professional remove ear wax or, if irreversible, hearing loss may be treated with a hearing aid. The key to the success of most treatments is speed of detection so get it checked!
HyperSound by Turtle Beach - Glass Directional Speakers
This has to be the best hearing device to aid the listening of television and music for the hearing impaired. Turtle Beach have announced their new HyperSound speakers which are directional and transparent!
These speakers are designed to provide crystal clear sound only in the direction they are facing while leaving surrounding areas (virtually) sound free zones. Imagine listening to the television at your own preferred volume whilst not interfering with anyone else in the room. They are that directional!
Turtle Beach Corporation is a leading audio technology company for over 40 years and has achieved a significant breakthrough with its HyperSound® technology The company revealed in 2016 that it is now able to create directional audio using a transparent pane of glass. The Company’s latest innovation opens the doors for exploration into future glass-based directional audio products and applications in the consumer, commercial and hearing healthcare spaces.
The Liverpool Hearing Centre is proud to be an early distributor for this amazing new technology and you can come and test it in our modern centre at 78 Rodney Street whilst watching TV or listening to music.
“The advancements the HyperSound team is making with directional audio are simply amazing – some of the biggest breakthroughs in audio technology to come along in decades,” said Juergen Stark, CEO, Turtle Beach Corporation. “Being able to create highly directional audio using glass opens up many potential opportunities, including integrating into desktop monitors, commercial displays, desktop speakers, and automotive dashboard glass to provide warnings directed specifically at the driver… pretty much anywhere there’s glass there’s a potential for audio. As we progress the technology, this also opens up licensing possibilities to external parties looking for ways to integrate the latest audio technology into their products. Again, it’s still early in development and the applications are simply ideas on the drawing board, but at the same time having HyperSound directional audio working on glass is very exciting and we can’t wait to show it publicly for the first time at E3.”
Naturally, there are some glaringly obvious positive applications for the hearing impaired. In fact, the speakers can actually be programmed with a clients audiogram results.
HyperSound technology is a fundamentally new approach to sound delivery that generates a highly directional, narrow beam of audio in the air. Similar to how a flashlight directs a beam of light, HyperSound directs a beam of audio to targeted listeners in a specific spot, delivering an immersive, 3D-like audio experience. HyperSound Glass is similar in design to touchscreen glass, where there are multiple layers of transparent materials and electronics working in conjunction with the glass. For HyperSound Glass, the glass pane is layered with a set of transparent films allowing it to generate a beam of ultrasound that delivers crisp, clear audio to the targeted listener.
