Liverpool Hearing Centre News & Advice
Could Hearing Loss be linked to Dementia?
Hearing loss and DEMENTIA
First, let's take a closer look at hearing loss. Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. It often comes on gradually as you get older, but it can sometimes happen suddenly. It's not always easy to tell if you're losing your hearing.
Common symptoms hearing loss includes:
• Difficulty hearing other people clearly, and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places
• Asking people to repeat themselves
• Listening to music or watching television loudly
• Having to concentrate hard to hear what other people are saying, which can be tiring or stressful
Types of hearing loss
Mild hearing loss
May have difficulty following speech, especially in noisy situations. This type of hearing loss Audiogram is often noticed by family first.
moderate hearing loss
Often has difficulty following speech and frequency in cycles per second missing other quiet noises. Amplification is very successful for this loss, but you also need to use good hearing tactics.
MODERATELY severe hearing loss
Unable to hear speech even in quiet surroundings and may not hear general noises such as traffic unless they are loud. Amplification is very successful for this loss, but you also need to use good hearing tactics. Lip-reading classes could benefit people with this hearing loss.
Severe hearing loss
Unable to hear most sounds unless they are very loud. Amplification is often useful, but you will also need to rely on good hearing tactics. Lip-reading classes would also be useful for people with this hearing loss. If you fall into this category, you may also use sign language and watch sign assisted programmes.
profound hearing loss
Will need to wear appropriate amplification technology (e.g. hearing aids, cochlear implant, FM) in order to hear conversational speech.
USEFUL HEARING LOSS TACTICS
If you are experiencing difficulties communicating with a particular person in a situation. The most efficient way to do so is explain to them about these tactics below, making sure they are aware. Once they understand this can help make the situations easier for you.
- Get to the point
- Do not cover your mouth
- Get my attention
- Face me
- Do not speak to fast
- Find a suitable place to talk
- Do not shout
What is dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain. There are over 200 sub-types of dementia, but the five most common are:
- Alzheimer’s disease.
- Vascular dementia,
- Dementia with Lewy bodies,
- Frontotemporal dementia and mixed dementia.
The brain is made up of nerve cells (neurones) that communicate with each other by sending messages. Dementia damages the nerve cells in the brain so messages can’t be sent from and to the brain effectively, which prevents the body from functioning normally. Regardless of which type of dementia is diagnosed and what part of the brain is affected, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way. Dementia can affect a person at any age but it is more commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 65 years. A person developing dementia before age 65 is said to have young onset dementia. There are over 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this is set to rise to over one million by 2021.
People with dementia can have difficulty communicating with others, including finding the right words, or signs, for what they want to say. They will have difficulty processing what they’ve heard, particularly if there are distractions. According to some researchers, this difficulty in processing information (when there is competing information, auditory or otherwise) can be one of the first signs of some form of cognitive impairment.
Further evidence suggests that proper diagnosis and management of hearing loss, including provision of hearing aids, reduce the risk and impact of dementia and some of the other associated co-morbidities, such as falls and depression. It is worth mentioning that although dementia is diagnosed in later life, changes in the brain usually start developing many years before. The study looked at the benefits of building a "cognitive reserve", meaning that if the brain’s networks were strengthened, it could continue to function in later life regardless of the damage. As discussed, lifestyle factors can play a vital role in increasing or reducing an individual's dementia risk. It is suggested that not smoking, keeping healthy, doing exercise and treating high blood pressure and diabetes can all help reduce the risk of dementia for some, as well as cardiovascular disease. It is important to remember that not everyone will successfully make changes; some changes will not make a difference and some risks of dementia are hereditary and cannot be changed. If you are worried about hearing loss or dementia, it is best to speak to your GP who will then refer you to the appropriate professional for further investigation, for example an audiologist or ENT Consultant for hearing difficulties.
common symptoms of dementia
• Memory loss
• Confusion (not remembering what they were saying)
• Difficulty with thinking and decision making (should they answer the door?)
• Decline in skills needed for everyday living (not remembering how to cook)
• Changes in ways of communicating (not being able to find the correct word, mixing up words, or repeating what’s been said)
• Education reduction after 11 -12 years
• Midlife Hypertension
• Midlife obesity
• Hearing loss
• Smoking
• Not keeping active and fit
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Social isolation
At Liverpool Hearing Centre we recommend that people get their hearing tested especially when you are over 55. If hearing loss is found deal with the problem immediately. Hearing aids are so small and there is no reason to put it off especially as the evidence points to reduced rick of dementia or certainly reducing the impact of dementia.
Earwax Removal, All You Need To Know
What is ear wax?
Ear wax protects the skin of the human ear canal, assists in cleaning and lubrication, and also provides protection against bacteria, fungi, insects, and water. Earwax is supposed to be there and is not unhealthy or dirty. It is a cleaning mechanism for your ear and is produced by little glands deep inside the ear canal. In theory, when these glands produce wax, the natural outward skin migration should push the wax along the ear canal and it should pop out the entrance to your ear.
The most common cause of earwax blockage is attempted at-home removals using cotton swabs, hair pins, and other objects in your ear canal which can all push wax deeper, creating a blockage. Ear wax is the most common cause of both tinnitus and hearing loss.
Ear wax removal Treatments
Generally, ear wax removal treatments are safe to an extent, but some are safer than others and none are safe in the hands of an unqualified person.
Microsuction
Micro-suction is the safest and most-effective method of wax removal. Unlike the traditional methods of ‘syringing’ or ‘irrigation’ which use water; micro suction is an entirely dry procedure that uses a gentle suction to remove the wax. The procedure is completely pain-free and unlike ‘syringing’ and ‘irrigation’ does not necessarily require any pre-treatment with oil or drops. Micro suction ear wax removal is also safe for people who have had middle ear problems especially perforated ear drums and problems with vertigo.
Ear Irrigation
Ear irrigation is a routine procedure used to remove excess earwax, or cerumen, and foreign materials from the ear. If for some reason we are unable to offer you the micro suction ear wax removal we will offer wax removal by irrigation. Unlike syringing which is a forced entry of lukewarm water into the ear which can't be regulated for pressure and in some instances cause damage to the ear drum or can cause extreme vertigo. Irrigation is a controlled stream of water that gently flows around the ear canal until the wax is removed. We will always try an offer you micro suction as we can say this is by far the safest form of wax removal.
can ear wax be different from others?
Ear wax can be very dry while some earwax can be wet and sticky. Some earwax can be flaky and stuck to the skin and others can fall into little sticky peace’s as you remove it from the ear.
EAR WAX & Reasons For it Having Removed Frequently
• Different people produce different amounts of wax so some people just have to have their ear wax removed more often.
• Wearing things in your ears so ear wax cant get out such as hearing aids, noise protection and ear phones.
• If you have lots of hair in your ears then the earwax can get stuck and tangled in the hair.
• Narrow ear canals or ear canals that have a very sharp bend in them may accumulate wax more easily
• If you keep putting your finger in your ear and wiggling it to scratch it this can push the wax back in and possible give you an infection.
• Using cotton buds can introduce/ aggravate infections and will push the wax further into the ear canal (don’t do it).
• Dry skin conditions can mean that the wax can sometimes set very hard and are usually more difficult to remove.
• Working environments that have lots of dust or require noise protection.
can using different types of ear drops make your hearing feel worse?
This is one of the most common complaints we hear about ear wax and its problems. Very simply while using drops you are actually adding more content to the ear. Therefore, by using ear drops you are expanding the ear wax in the ear canal which in turn can increase the feeling of a blocked ear. If you're ear wax becomes smooth and runny it may run down your ear onto your ear drum instead of running out your ear like you hoped it would. Ear wax lying on the ear drum will restrict its movement which may cause sudden hearing loss.
Ear drop solutions available
Earol Spray
Earol Spray has a simple yet unique delivery system capable of dispensing a small dose of olive oil into the outer ear. This eliminates the need for the use of cotton wool or a dropper. It's generally applied twice a day when the ear is blocked. You can also use Earol Olive Oil spray once a week to aid ear hygiene and maintain healthy ears. The tapered actuator also ensures limited excess to the ear canal to avoid damage to the delicate mechanisms inside the ear.
Otex Ear Drops
Otex ear drops contain the active ingredient hydrogen peroxide, which helps to soften ear wax. Using Otex can have a side effect of pain in the ears as it can cause adverse skin reactions.
Sodium Bicarbonate ear drops
Sodium bicarbonate ear drops are used to soften dry and hardened earwax. This reduces the need for wax to be physically removed, but also makes ear irrigation easier when removal is necessary. This can sometimes cause dryness in your ear canal.
Micro suction is considered safer than syringing and irrigation
As mentioned, ear wax removal by micro suction involves pulling ear wax from the ear. There no force of water being generated down the ear canal. The main dangers with ear irrigation and ear syringing is the water pushing the wax down your ear drum at speed and damaging your ear drum. The ear drum is only 0.1 mm thick. Your hearing is both precious and delicate and should be taken great care of.
Other real dangers with ear syringing and ear wax irrigation is incorrect water temperature. If the water is too cold, it can create sever dizziness and nausea. Ear syringing and ear irrigation can also more commonly lead to instances cause otitis externa commonly known as an ear infection.
Blocked Ears Do's & Dont's
Don't put your ear health at risk with...
• Cotton buds - are the most dangerous form of ear wax removal as it is a self-performing attempt at ear wax removal. There is extreme risk of damage to your ear drum, ear canal, middle ear bones which
could result in permanent hearing loss and tinnitus.
• Hopi candles- Ear candling, also called ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, this involves one end of a hollow candle and placing the other end in the ear canal. There is no evidence that this technique is effective and can actually push earwax deeper into the ear canal. It can also result in burns!
Do see a professional if the drops don't work or you would prefer to have it removed quickly
• Ear syringing and ear irrigation are generally safe but should be avoided if ear microsuction can be performed. Side effects of ear irrigation may include temporary dizziness, ear canal discomfort and tinnitus. The risk of infection is increased with water methods too.
• Micro suction is the generally considered the safest way of removing the wax from the ears by professionals.
Questions Regularly Asked
• Q- What are your opening hours?
• A- We open Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm
• Q-Where are you based?
• A- 78 Rodney Street L1 9AR
• Q- How much is Micro Suction? (ear wax removal)
• A- One Ear - £50 Two Ears - £70
• Q- How long is the Micro Suction appointment?
• A- 30 minutes
• Q- Do you take card payments?
• A- Yes!
Hearing Aids and How to Find the Best Style for You
Choosing the right hearing aid can seem like a bit of a puzzle. There are so many different names, colours, technology levels, features and sizes It can all seem a little overwhelming. There is no “one size fits all” answer, as each hearing recommendation is as unique as its user. This guide is created to help navigate you towards finding the perfect professional advice on your hearing aid.
When purchasing hearing aids there are 5 areas to consider:
- Hearing aid style
- Hearing aid brand
- Hearing aid technology level
- Hearing aid accessories
- Pricing
Hearing Aid Styles
There Are Three Basic Types Of Hearing Aids: Behind-the-Ear (BTE), Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) and In-the-Ear (ITE) systems. Finding the right type of digital hearing aid for you will depend on:
- Your level of hearing
- The shape and size of your ear
- The kind of lifestyle you lead.
Behind-the-Ear aids sit behind the ear and are
rarely used these days unless you have a more severe to profound hearing loss.
Receiver-in-Canal hearing aids have mostly replaced BTEs. They still sit behind the ear but are much more discreet. An external receiver sits directly in the ear canal.
In-the-Ear aids are worn directly in the ear providing you with an extremely discreet hearing solution.
It is important to realise that some styles may not suit your hearing loss, and that some styles sacrifice technology for cosmetics.
The first step into finding a hearing aid is to know which style works best for your hearing loss and what style you are willing to wear if cosmetics is a factor.
The smaller hearing aids sacrifice some of the greatest most beneficial technology that the larger hearing aids styles can include. A professional audiologist will explain what styles works best for your hearing loss. They will then make it clear on what technology you may be sacrificing if choosing a more discreet style.
Hearing Aid Brands
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Oticon
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Phonak
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Unitron
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ReSound
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Starkey
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Bernafon
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Widex
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Signia & Audio Service (formerly Siemens Hearing)
Hearing Aid Technology
All brands are reputable and excel in different areas. An independent professional audiologist should be able to weigh up all the features and benefits of each brands models and offer you the perfect solution to suit your needs.
Hearing Aid Prices
Hearing aids can be bought via hearing aid retail outlets or a business. This could be at a high street branch or a domiciliary service in the comfort of your own home.
It is widely known that some high street retailers simply try and undercut everyone else and compete on price. This means the level of service may be compromised and you do not receive the time and care you need. You will also probably not be offered a comprehensive range of hearing solutions.
However, it is important to consider prices, and that you balance pricing up with all other factors to ensure you get the best hearing aids at a fair price with the right service.
Hearing Aid Trials & Refunds
All companies offer a money back period, normally 30 or 60 days. This can be extended upon agreement with your supplier you are not satisfied with the hearing aids. You can effectively trial any provider and hearing aids knowing you can get a refund.
Some suppliers may charge a cancellation fee so do check this before making any payments. The details will be in the terms and conditions which will be on the back of the form that you sign when making a payment.
Private audiologists must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council in order to sell hearing aids.
84% CUSTOMERS FEEDBACK GAVE AN OVERALL 5 STARS ACROSS THE BOARD IN THE MAGAZINE “BUYING A HEARING AID” ON INDEPENDENT HEARING CARE PROVIDERS. LOCAL INDEPENDENT AUDIOLOGIST WERE PRAISED FOR THEIR PRODUCTS AND PRICING.
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.
Audio Service Quix
Best Low Cost Invisible Hearing Aids
The NEW affordable invisible instant fit tiny hearing aid from Audio Service in Germany called the Quix. These incredible hidden hearing aids start from only £294! They are programmed by a registered audiologist to your personal hearing loss and instantly fit on the day of your test. You could be wearing your new invisible hearing aids in less than an hour.
- Free 30 Day Trial
- 1 YEAR Money Back Guarantee!! on the Audio Service Quix range of discreet hearing aids from Liverpool Hearing Centre
- 5 Year Warranty
- Free Hearing Test & Fitting Consultation
- Free Lifetime Aftercare
- From £294 - no hidden fees
- Interest Free Credit from £8.58 per month
- Adjust with your mobile phone
Phonak Lyric is the most invisible Hearing Aid
Liverpool Hearing Centre is the only Phonak approved practice to provide Phonak Lyric invisible hearing aids in Lancashire & Merseyside
As one of only a small number of approved Lyric centres in the world, we are proud to have been selected and to have received the excellent manufacturer training in this unique ground breaking product.
Phonak Lyric is the only continuous wear product available. The hearing device is expertly placed deep in your ear canal by a specially trained audiologist and stays there for a period of three to four months. In this time the hearing aid is not taken out. You can shower, go to the gym and sleep with it without experiencing any discomfort in your ears.
- 100% Invisible
- Clear, natural sound
- No daily hassles as stays in the ear day and night
- May help people with tinnitus to sleep better
- No batteries to change
- Pay monthly solution
- 30 day free trial
Phonak Titanium
Technically the best small hearing aids
The smallest and strongest custom invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aid on the market. A truly innovative design process using 3D printing with titanium. Key features of Phonak Titanium include:
- Titanium shell for extra strength and thinner shell
- Reduced component size
- Up to 26% smaller than previous IIC’s
- 64% increased IIC fit rate
- Integrated push button in battery door
Put simply, they can fit a great deal of technology into a very small space.
Titanium B90 has 20 channels and includes full feature ‘autosense’ capability including echo-block technology for resonating building environments for the most demanding needs.
Titanium B70 is 16 channel technology with 4 in 1 autosense adaptive technology.
Conclusion
- Best for 100% invisible - Phonak Lyric
- Best for technology - Phonak Titanium
- Best for budget - Audio Service Quix
If you absolutely need the hearing aid to be 100% totally invisible then only the Lyric can guarantee this.
Both the Titanium and the Quix can use an optional small remote control and the Quix can also be controlled with a really useful free mobile phone app which is excellent considering the price.
If you're looking for full streaming capability then you'll need to look at something slightly less invisible.
When it comes to tinnitus, both the Titanium and the Quix have dedicated modules to help treat tinnitus but they should be removed at night. Phonak Lyric is worn day and night continuously. Therefore if you're one of those people whose tinnitus completely goes when you wear hearing aids, then wearing Lyric could mean a life without tinnitus.
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.
- Exceptional sound quality from the first fit¹
- Better speech understanding in noise²
- Reduced listening effort in noise³
- Top rated streamed sound quality⁴
Phonak Audeo Marvel connects to Smartphones, TV and more
Designed to effortlessly connect to iOS or Android smartphones or other Bluetooth® enabled phones. With Phonak TV Connector, you can enjoy your favourite TV programmes and films. You can use your Marvel hearing aids for hands-free calls and for listening to TV, music, e-books, podcasts etc.- always in top rated sound quality when streaming.⁴
• Connects to smartphones - iOS and Android and a variety of everyday electronics
• Can be used as wireless stereo headphones
• Extra-long streaming time thanks to AirStream technology
• Stream directly from Roger microphones with RogerDirect™, coming Autumn 2019
Phonak Audeo Marvel is Rechargeable
Marvel hearing aids are also available with powerful lithium-ion rechargeable technology.
• Easy to use – no more hassles with disposable batteries
• Full day of hearing including streaming
• Super quick charging
• Battery engineered to last 6 years
All New e -Solutions with smart apps
Phonak eSolutions is a new suite of smart apps and solutions, designed to connect you with your clients. It enables real-time remote support, phone call transcriptions and more.
• Real-time remote video support
• Personalised hearing experience
• Phone call transcriptions
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.
For years, the ReSound philosophy has been to deliver sounds to the brain the way nature intended. With ReSound's Quattro technology it's now easier to pick up speech and sound from any direction without losing out on the sounds around you. From the bustling street to the busy restaurant you can follow conversations and still hear the sounds around you. Wherever you are, you get a more natural and balanced listening experience.
With ReSound LiNX Quattro enjoy fuller, richer, crisp & distortion free sounds with both low and high-pitched sounds. Quiet situations are truly quiet and louder sounds are comfortable. Children's laughter and the high notes and deep tones in music, are now fuller and more enjoyable.
For music listening ReSound LiNX Quattro is preferred 95% of the time, compared to other premium hearing aids. Source: Jespersen et al 2018
When streaming directly from an iPhone, listners preferred the sound quality with ReSound LiNX Quattro 64% of the time compared to other premium hearing aids. Source: Jespersen et al 2018
Listeners preferred the sound quality with ReSound LiNX Quattro 71% of the time when streaming directly from the ReSound TV Streamer 2, compared to other premium hearing Aids.
From morning to night, you can rely on our rechargeable solution. It only takes three hours to fully charge the batteries giving you 30 hours of battery life. Even when streaming TV or music 50% of the time you can still enjoy 24 hours battery life. If you're in a rush, quick charge ensures 2.7 hours of battery life in just 10 minutes.
The rechargeable hearing aid comes with a new, expertly designed charging case that easily slips into your pocket or handbag. The new charger is intuitive and easy to use.
90% of users state that they can use the rechargeable system without instructions. Source: Groth, 2018
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.
Siya is built on Oticon’s proprietary ultra-fast Velox™ platform used in the ultra successful OPN model. Oticon Siya has the same high-resolution sound processing that is 50 times faster than ever before in the essential category* and provides high-speed sound compression and amplification so that users always have stable audibility in a broader sound range than their hearing loss would otherwise allow.
With the power of Velox, Oticon Siya’s will enable you to focus on speech in more difficult situations better than ever before in this category. Oticon Siya automatically switches between listening modes to precisely adapt to varying sound environments due to super-fast Multiband Adaptive Directionality LX technology. The smooth transitions ensure that users enjoy a more comfortable listening experience at all times, even when noise becomes intrusive. This is further enhanced by the advanced Noise Reduction LX feature which, powered by Velox, is fast enough to even reduce noise between words, while Wind Noise Management decisively reduces wind noise and Transient Noise Management rapidly removes the discomfort of sudden, loud noises.
Oticon Siya connects more people to everyday technology. The world’s first hearing aid in the essentials category with 2.4GHz Bluetooth® low energy technology, Oticon Siya enables wireless connectivity to a wide range of Bluetooth® enabled devices, including any modern smartphone, and is fully compatible with Oticon’s ConnectClip, transforming Siya into a wireless headset for smartphones, tablets and computers.
What's more, this advanced entry-level hearing aid is the first in the essentials category to provide users with the boundless possibilities of internet connectivity. Using the Oticon ON App, which links Oticon Siya with the IFTTT (IfThisThenThat) network, users can connect to and control smart internet-connected devices and services, and fundamentally make everyday life easier. Furthermore, thanks to internet-connectivity, Oticon Siya users have access to the new HearingFitness™ feature in the Oticon ON App. This new feature helps users get the very best out of the hearing aids, with advice and encouragement on ways to hear better, protect their hearing and improve their health.
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.
The very same hearing aids are then programmed as the devices that the scientific data suggests is best for the patient and the trial can continue for a further two weeks. This is both smart and a sensible approach. We will still ask the same 'lifestyle' questions as before as we love to hear about our patient's lives and it gives real context to what we are going, but we are super excited to now have the ability to adopt a more scientific approach.
At the end of the day, we want what's best for our patients and nothing has changed in that respect; but now we can show people accurate visual data as to why certain features will work for you in your own personal sound environments. Previously, you just had to take us on our word that our calculated estimations were accurate.
There are naturally some things that the hearing aids can't measure, such as comfort and ease of use, so there are still some 'manual' decisions that need to be made.
Once you've paid for your hearing aids, we understand that your lifestyle might change. You might join a new club with an active social element or start a new job in a busy office. The hearing aids never stop recording your acoustic lifestyle so we can continuously analyse when and where we can potentially make significant improvements. Acoustically, we can see how your life has changed.
What if you could pay only to upgrade your hearing aids* after we analysed the data instead of having to buy a complete new pair to fit your new lifestyle? Well, now you can - just pay the difference on our price list!
In a similar way, if you can't quite afford the ones you'd really like until later, you could buy the lower cost model today and upgrade to the higher technology level when you can pay at a more convenient time.
We love this new sensible, flexible and scientific approach to finding the right hearing aids for our patients and we're quite sure you will too. We are the only hearing centre in Liverpool currently operating this new approach to fitting hearing aids and one of only a few in the UK. We are constantly striving to provide the best hearing care experience possible. If you're considering buying new hearing aids, then make sure you get the right ones by coming to Liverpool Hearing Centre.
*Flex Upgrade is available in Unitron Hearing Aids Only
Send us a message and request your free trial
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.
4. Technology
Most private hearing aids can be adjusted by your mobile phone - change programs, volume, noise reduction intensity, increase clarity, and even listen to music through them - wireless earphones that just happen to be your hearing aids! You can even take phone calls by simply pushing a button on your hearing aids and you're talking hands free. What about turning your hearing aids on in the morning and it automatically starts your coffee machine so there's a nice latte waiting for you in the kitchen? This is all possible.
These are just a small selection of the differences between private and NHS hearing aids. There are many more. We are extremely fortunate to have such a tremendous health system in the UK and we desperately need to protect it. As an audiologist, I wish that everyone had access to all the wonderful hearing technology out there and got the time and care that many patients require. I would happily work for an NHS that did that.
As a business, we have the option of also providing NHS hearing aids through our centre but unfortunately, the amount of money that we would be paid per patient would mean drastically reducing the service provided to our patients. We love audiology too much to give that up.
Everyone can recognise that good hearing is extremely important to quality of life. Not everyone can afford or is prepared to pay the costs of private hearing care. But while there is an option out there that allows people to improve their hearing at no additional cost, we must support that. 90% of our patients are actually previous NHS hearing aid wearers so the NHS are often the first step towards coming and seeing us anyway, so why wouldn't we support them?
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
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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.
Hear in the most difficult situations
Unitron's newest platform is the latest proof of their passion for bringing technologies to market that help patients solve their biggest complaints around conversations. The extremely high performance of Tempus conquers the listening environments that patients find the most challenging – conversations
Take command of conversations.
Life is full of great conversations, every one different than the last. Now, thanks to Unitron's intelligent SoundCore technology, you can make the most of them all. Unitron's group of four features work together to understand your listening environment, making the fluid adjustments needed so you can actively participate in every conversation, across every environment.
Tempus puts speech in its place
SpeechPro lets you understand speech, and know where it’s coming from, in the most challenging listening situations: conversations in noise and conversations in crowds.
Tempus keeps it real
Spatial Awareness gets the hearing instruments out of the way so you truly know which direction speech and other sounds are coming from.
Tempus knows the environment
Nobody does automatic like Unitron. 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.
Tempus features get the balance right
Once SoundNav performs its analysis and classification, Sound Conductor dynamically balances adaptive features to make speech sound clearer across each unique listening environment.
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.
Come & get measured for some spectacle Hearing aids today!
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.
