Why You Should Choose an Independent Hearing Specialist

Posted on May 31, 2018June 1, 2018 by Angela Stefanoff

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When it comes to hearing, you want to make sure you’re placing one of your most valuable senses in capable hands. At Health and Hearing, we’re passionate about providing our customers with the best possible services, with a focus on personalised recommendations.

There are a number of services that an independent hearing specialist can provide you with, that a retail chain hearing clinic cannot. Read on to find out what they are!

1. Industry professional, not a salesperson

Many hearing clinics are owned by hearing aid manufacturers or large global retail chains. This means that when you walk in to talk to someone about a hearing aid suitable for you, you’re talking to a sales assistant rather than a qualified professional. An independent hearing specialist will book in appointments to ensure that every customer receives professional and experienced advice.

At Health and Hearing, we offer free 30 minute consultations where our team of professionals walk you through your options, answer any questions you have and assist you in trying on a range of hearing aids to find the best fit.

2. They won’t try to push an unsuitable brand

Many hearing clinics are partnered with particular brands and are therefore restricted in the variety of options they can provide you with. An independent audiometrist does not have allegiance to just one brand, and won’t try to push it on you if it’s unsuitable for your needs.

At Health and Hearing, we offer a wide range of brands and types of hearing aids so that we can assist you in finding the perfect fit, without any bias or ulterior sales motives!

3. They consider all factors

An independent audiometrist will take the time to ask questions and gage the kind of lifestyle you lead, to present you with a selection of suitable hearing aids. At Health and Hearing, we take into consideration:

The degree of your hearing loss
Your lifestyle (whether you engage in sports or active pursuits)
Whether you are employed or retired
Your preferences (hidden or slightly visible)
Affordability and budget
Comfort

4. A range of available rebates

An independent hearing specialist can offer you a range of payment plans and rebates that large-scale companies will not. At Health and Hearing, we work closely with the Defence Force to ensure that veterans receive a fair rebate on quality hearing aids, and our aging population have access to free hearing aids with their Pension Cards.

In consultation with your health insurer and tax agent, you may be eligible for a rebate. Likewise, those already serving with the Defence Force may be able to have the cost of their hearing aids completely covered. For more information, get in touch with us today!

5. There’s a 14 day cooling off period

As part of an independent hearing specialist’s personalised services, they’re more likely to offer a good faith cooling off period for your hearing aids. This means that you get the opportunity to trial them in your day to day life to ensure they work for you. Health and Hearing offer a 14 day ‘love it, or we take it back’ guarantee.

We encourage our customers to take their hearing aids home, go see a movie, attend a dinner party, do exercise and generally throw every element of your lifestyle at them to see if they fit the bill! If you’re not 100% happy, we’ll do everything we can to re-calibrate your hearing aids to suit your specific needs or find a better option.

6. Ongoing support

An independent audiometrist isn’t in the business of selling hearing aids and then leaving you to figure out the rest. Health and Hearing are only a phone call away! If you’re having issues with your hearing aids, we can remotely re-calibrate them for you. We also offer tune-up services and ongoing support for our customers. We want to make sure you’re always getting the most out of your hearing aids so that you can get the most out of life.

Contact Health and Hearing today for a consultation or a free hearing test!

The Future of Smart Hearing

Posted on May 31, 2018June 1, 2018 by Angela Stefanoff

Just as we once said goodbye to clunky Nokia bricks and hello to sleek, innovative smartphones - we’re saying goodbye to bulky, analogue hearing aids and hello to sexy, intuitive digital hearing aids.

The future of smart hearing is here and we’re so excited to be part of it!

Modern, digital hearing aids are nothing like their predecessors; they have an amazing amount of powerful features. Here are just a few:

Directional microphones - eliminating the struggle to hear in noisy places.
Smart hearing - detecting the differences between speech and background noises.
Connectivity to smart devices - seamlessly integrating with your life.
Efficient programming - adjusting to your needs and environmental changes.

Introducing ReSound Smart Hearing Aids

At Health and Hearing, we proudly fit ReSound hearing aids, and we are in love with the advanced technology packed into these micro-sized aids. ReSound smart hearing aids are about more than restoring lost hearing; they’re about integrating your hearing with your devices and lifestyle.

On top of the personalised, hands-on service we offer, ReSound has a number of apps that allow you to personally control and enjoy your hearing aids. Through the apps, you’re able to tailor and control your hearing experiences. You can download them via the Apple Store or Google Play (for free!). Of course, the apps aren’t limited to your smartphone - they’re also completely compatible across your smart watches, laptops, computers, tablets, smart TVs and more!

Wireless streaming technology

ReSound is far from being the only hearing aid company creating futuristic hearing solutions. Another style of hearing aids we supply - the Starkey SoundLens - is also leading this technological advancement. Their tiny, in-the-ear-canal hearing aid is custom-made and completely invisible in most ears. Starkey’s hearing aid is proof that good things come in tiny packages, as it offers advanced wireless streaming technology and music experience software. Experience sound the way it’s meant to be - pure.

Live life to the fullest!

There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to hearing. Our lives are so intertwined with all of our devices that allow us to live a better quality, more enjoyable life. We use our phones to connect with our friends and family, our TVs to enjoy shows and movies, our cameras to capture moments, and our headphones to enjoy music. Why wouldn’t we want to add hearing technology that allows us to experience the pleasure of optimum hearing to the mix?

Health and Hearing specialise in invisible hearing solutions and only supply high quality-performance technology. Contact us for more information, or book a free consultation today!

Smartphone Apps for Better Hearing

Posted on May 31, 2018June 1, 2018 by Angela Stefanoff

When it comes to advancing technology to keep up with the demand for enhanced integration, hearing aids are well and truly keeping up! With a range of smartphone apps already on the market, it’s easier than ever to customise your hearing aids to suit your everyday surroundings. We’ve put together a list of the top smartphone apps to improve your hearing aid experience and everyday lifestyle.

To use with hearing aids...

ReSound smart app (Free)

The ReSound smart app is compatible with a wide range of hearing aids including ReSound LiNX², ReSound LiNX, ReSound LiNX TS, ReSound ENZO², ReSound ENZO and ReSound UpSmart. The app works with iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch and select Android devices. Its features include:

Volume control, including treble and bass.
Ability to customise and save favourite programs such as ‘outdoors’ or ‘restaurant’ to regularly come back to - you can even add specific addresses!
Track your hearing aids if you lose them.
Separate audio controls when watching television or listening to music so that you can control both surrounding sounds and received audio.

ReSound smart 3D app (Free)

The smart 3D app is ReSound’s latest development in smart hearing aid technology. It’s compatible with ReSound LiNX 3D and ReSound ENZO 3D hearing aids and can be used on smart devices (apple and android) and even the Apple Watch! This app enjoys all of the features of the ReSound smart app, with a few handy additions:

New user onboarding and ongoing functional tips to encourage easy usage.
Enhanced sound settings including noise filter, speech focus and wind noise reduction.
Remote fine tuning so that your audiologist can adjust your aids for you without having to book an appointment with the clinic.
Tinnitus management.

Starkey TruLink hearing control

Available for both Apple and Android smart devices (iPhone, iPad and iPod), TruLink allows you to stream music, phone calls, facetime, video and more to your hearing aids for superior convenience. The app is compatible with “made for iPhone” hearing aids from Starkey, Audibel, NuEar, MicroTech and AGX Hearing. It’s main features include:

Audio streaming through your smart device.
Ability to personalise and geo-tag hearing aid settings as ‘memories’ which will kick into effect when you walk into particular saved locations.
Allows you to record, playback and email live sound sources.
Find your hearing aids feature if you lose them.

There are also a few nifty apps that can both test your hearing and relieve tinnitus, and they don't need to be used in conjunction with a hearing aid.

To test your hearing...

SoundCheck hearing test

This is a great way to monitor your hearing so that you know when it’s time to think about visiting an audiologist and purchase a set of hearing aids. The Starkey SoundCheck hearing test allows you to measure environmental noise levels as well as your own hearing ability.

Hear Coach listening game

Test your cognitive thinking and auditory sharpness in one hit with the Starkey Hear Coach listening game. It’s great if you’re up for a challenge and can be used by everyone. Each level includes different ranges of loud to quiet background noises so that you can train your hearing for different locations.

To relieve tinnitus...

Relax (Free)

Relax is an app by Starkey that includes twelve different relief sounds aimed to reduce the severity of tinnitus and provide the user with relief. These sounds can either be played on your smart device or streamed through your hearing aids (for a full list of compatible hearing aids see here).

ReSound relief (Free)

The ReSound relief app is a highly customisable app to assist those suffering from tinnitus. Users can play and customise soundscapes to distract from their tinnitus. They can also participate in audio exercises and adjust sounds to level the audio between their left and right ears. If the user’s tinnitus frequently prevents them from sleeping, they can set a timer for their soundscape to turn off after they have fallen asleep.

After a set of hearing aids that are compatible with a wide range of helpful smartphone apps? Contact Health & Hearing today!

Shopping for Hearing Aids Online: Is it Safe?

Posted on May 31, 2018June 1, 2018 by Angela Stefanoff

Like most products these days, hearing aids are now available to purchase online. Unbelievably, you can even pick up a pair from eBay for under $10! But is it really safe to use the hearing aids you get in your mailbox? We take a look...

The main issue with purchasing your hearing aids online is that it assumes all you need to do is put those purchased hearing aids in your ears and your hearing loss will magically disappear. But this couldn’t be further from the truth!

Hearing aids bought online are not tailored to your needs.

While online shopping might be more affordable and more convenient, the wrong type of hearing aids can potentially damage your hearing. Even if your hearing aids come “pre-programmed”, they’re not tailored to your exact needs in the same way that we’re able to custom-fit in our clinics.

Every person has different levels of hearing loss, and these levels differ between the right ear to the left ear. This means that two people using the same hearing aids bought online will experience very different results.

When you choose a free, no-obligation consultation with Health and Hearing, our professional audiometrists will complete a full examination to determine the specific nature of your hearing loss. We’ll work together to find a device that suits your lifestyle, work and personal preferences, and we’ll even adjust the settings for you and fine-tune your hearing aids for maximum comfort and sound quality.

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What are you going to do if your hearing aids need to be adjusted or repaired?

When you buy hearing aids online, you don’t receive the same level of customer service and care. Unless you’re a professional audiometrist, there’s no way to know if your hearing aids are faulty, not appropriate for you, aren’t adjusted properly or even just broken. The returns process with online shopping can be lengthy and inconvenient, and at the end of the day, sometimes you’re not even guaranteed a refund!

The best part about purchasing hearing aids through an audiology clinic, like Health and Hearing, is that your audiometrist will become a valued health partner. Our founder, Soren Nielsen, is an expert in his industry with over 30 years of experience. Over this time, he has worked for the world’s largest hearing aid manufacturers. This experience, and his genuine desire to help people, enables him to help any patient with hearing difficulties.

Our team are always available to adjust your hearing aids, help you maintain them and fix any issues if they arise. We can service your hearing aids, assist you with replacement batteries and teach you how to use them for the best performance. We even have a 14-day love it or we’ll take it back guarantee, so you can rest assured that your hearing aids are the perfect fit for you. In a survey of over 100 past Health & Hearing customers, 86% said our hearing aids are an 8/10 or better.

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Don’t let your hearing health deteriorate just to save a few dollars! Book a free hearing test at Health & Hearing today. Your hearing is an incredibly delicate and complex system that deserves the attention, care and tailored advice that only a hearing professional can provide.

Do you feel discomfort or embarrassment when meeting new people because of your poor hearing?

Posted on May 31, 2018June 1, 2018 by Angela Stefanoff

We’re looking for people who have difficulty hearing in noisy environments to participate in a FREE 7 DAY TRIAL. As part of the trial, you will receive a free hearing test to determine if you have hearing loss. If you qualify for the program, you will receive a pair of new, virtually invisible, ReSound LiNX 3D hearing aids to try out for FREE, for seven days.

Resound Linx

The future of smart hearing

ReSound LiNX 3D hearing aids feature Bluetooth connectivity, remote fine-tuning and are available in a variety of styles and colours. They even automatically adapt their settings to your environment so you can enjoy rich, natural sounds, anywhere, anytime.

Because it’s not about getting old...it’s about staying young!

✓ Sync your hearing aids with your smartphone, iPad or smartwatch.

✓ Effortlessly control and personalise your preferences through a powerful mobile app.

✓ Stream crystal-clear stereo sound from the television directly to your ears.

✓ Extend your listening range with wireless microphones and accessories.

If all that sounds too tricky, don’t worry! We provide 365-day aftercare support, regular tune-ups and maintenance. Our setup process is super simple, and we’re here to walk you through everything, step by step.

A better solution needn’t cost a fortune

CALL US TODAY ON 07 3366 9355 TO SECURE YOUR SPOT. PLACES ARE LIMITED!

7 reasons why Health & Hearing is better

We are local and independent

14-day love it or return it guarantee
Invisible hearing solution specialists
We take our time in our appointments
Warm and friendly atmosphere
Usually more affordable than our competitors
FREE hearing aids for pensioners and veterans*
*Terms and conditions apply under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program

86% of Health & Hearing customers say our hearing aids are an 8/10 or better!*
*Data based on over 100 client satisfaction surveys.

“Off the shelf devices cannot compete with the results of Soren’s testing and advice, he thoroughly explains the options and provides the appropriate hearing solution at an economical price. The benefits of being able to participate with loved ones and interacting with others in everyday situations cannot be overstated, and I have no hesitation in recommending Health and Hearing.”
– Mr Neil Young, Health & Hearing client

Book a free hearing test (07) 3366 9355

Clinics in Ashgrove, Chermside, Carina, Kenmore

www.healthandhearing.com.au

We’re All Ears For Men’s Health Week

Posted on June 11, 2015July 18, 2017 by Health & Hearing

Men’s Health Week is taking place this month between the 15^th and 21^st of June. With hearing impairment being the second-highest ranked disability for men in Australia it is important that hearing health is not overlooked.

Men are traditionally at higher risk of hearing loss due to their type of workplaces. Construction workers and those within the manufacturing, mining and defence industries are most affected. Living with hearing loss is hard. Poor hearing affects a person’s quality of life and can lead to social isolation as it becomes harder to communicate with partners, children and work colleagues. It’s important that men don’t ignore the signs of hearing loss because early intervention is essential for effective treatment.

Some men may feel uncomfortable about having their hearing checked due to the social stigma associated with hearing loss but this shouldn’t be the case. It’s extremely common in Australia with 3.55 million people of all ages experiencing some form of hearing loss. Around 37% of these cases are caused by exposure to excessive noise. It only takes 15 minutes using a hand held drill or 48 minutes using a lawn mower to reach the safe daily noise limit. Don’t be shy, if you feel you may be experiencing symptoms of hearing loss or want to discuss ways to protect your hearing speak to an audiometrist.

Hearing loss affects 1 in 6 Australian’s including young men, yet when men think of a having a medical check up, they often overlook their hearing health. We would like to see men of all ages taking action to protect their hearing health this Men’s Health Week. Remember early intervention is the best way to combat hearing loss! If you’d like to take a positive step towards protecting your hearing health click here to book a free hearing test in clinic with one of our experienced audiometrists.

Treating Tinnitus

Posted on June 5, 2015July 18, 2017 by Health & Hearing

In Australia, 18% of people live with a constant ringing, whistling, hissing or whooshing in their ears. This sensation is known as tinnitus and for those who have it, daily life can be a struggle. Tinnitus can be very painful, frustrating and unrelenting leading to feelings of anxiety and hopelessness in sufferers. While there is currently no cure for tinnitus there are ways to treat this condition to make it more manageable and reduce its severity.

If you have tinnitus we recommend speaking with an audiometrist who will begin by identifying the cause. This is an important step that will help to make sure the tinnitus is not caused by another treatable problem. If your audiologist finds that a hearing loss is present then it is likely a hearing aid will reduce the problem. In fact, for some people wearing hearing aids will completely alleviate the condition.

People suffering from tinnitus with no hearing loss can use a Therapeutic Noise Generator device to help cope. This device looks like a hearing aid and produces a blend of external sounds that stimulate fibres of the hearing nerve, helping deviate attention away from the tinnitus. When using this device, sufferers of tinnitus will receive a much-needed break from the debilitating sound inside their head.

If need be, your audiometrist may refer you to a clinical psychologist who offers Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to help alleviate the distress caused by tinnitus. In these sessions people learn to adapt to tinnitus by discovering ways to focus attention away from the condition and achieve control over stress, which can sometimes be a contributing factor.

Unfortunately, there is no specific surgical treatment that can cure tinnitus. However, where tinnitus is related to another ear problem, such as otosclerosis or middle ear effusion, successful surgical treatment may cause it to disappear. Furthermore, accurate diagnosis and treatment of Meniere’s disease may result in significantly reduced tinnitus.

Sadly there is no standard fix for tinnitus. If you’re very lucky it will disappear overtime but for most people this is not the case. Generally the sooner a sufferer seeks help, the better their chances of significant improvement. If tinnitus is something you are struggling with we suggest talking with an audiometrist to help manage the condition. Contact us today to book an appointment with Soren our head audiometrist.

What To Look For In Your Audiometrist

Posted on May 29, 2015July 21, 2017 by Health & Hearing

Admitting you have a hearing loss can be a confronting experience. This is why finding the right audiometrist who can understand your needs and provide you with personalised solutions is so important.

Here are the key qualities you should be looking for when finding the right audiometrist:

Independence

Finding the right audiometrist or audiologist that offers independent advice (i.e. isn’t aligned with a particular brand) is important. This is important as it will ensure that you will receive the right product for your needs and budget.

Experience

In all health care professions experience is key. Your audiometrist or audiologist should be fully qualified, with practical in clinic experience. This will ensure you are more likely to receive a correct diagnosis.

An experienced audiometrist or audiologist is also more likely to put you at ease having helped people in similar situations in the past. With experience also comes knowledge and it is vital your audiometrist or audiologist has a thorough understanding of all hearing solutions on the market to get you the best results possible.

Good Product Knowledge

One in six Australians experience hearing loss and no two cases are exactly the same. An audiometrist or audiologist with good product knowledge will ensure that you receive the best treatment for your specific hearing loss.

Again independence is key here as an independent audiometrist or audiologist clinic will stock a variety of brands. This means they can choose from the best value and top of the line products, not just one single brand.

Your audiometrist / audiologist should clearly outline the pros and cons of the different products available to you so that you can make an informed decision.

Personalised Service

Hearing aids can be expensive which is why you don’t want to be rushed through the process. It is important your audiometrist is committed to testing you thoroughly to ensure you get the best hearing aid for your budget and condition. A great audiometrist will take a personalised approach, offering generous appointment lengths and a superior follow up service. You should also be given a custom fit and tune to ensure your instrument is fit your specific needs.

There is no need to be nervous about your visit to an audiometrist. Most people in the profession have a genuine desire to help people. Keeping your hearing in check is a positive step towards a better quality of life.

If you would like to book an obligation free hearing test with our audiometrist here at Health & Hearing, click here or phone us on 07 3366 9355.

Hearing Loss Symptoms

Posted on May 9, 2015June 7, 2018 by Health & Hearing

Hearing loss can occur over a long period of time. This makes it hard for people to identify it in themselves. Usually friends or family members will be the first to notice a person’s diminished ability to hear. Early intervention is the best way to manage a hearing loss. If you experience any of the hearing loss symptoms below personally or recognise them in a loved one, we recommend chatting to a specialist.

Hearing loss symptoms may include:

• Difficulty understanding words, especially in a crowd of people or noisy places.
• Frequently asking people to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly.
• Listening to the television or radio at a louder volume that previously or at a louder volume than friends and family.
• Difficulty following conversations with more than two people.
• A ringing in one or both ears.
• Reading lips or watching people’s faces intently when they talk to you..

Hearing loss can also affect people emotionally. Communication is a big part of how human beings connect with one another. When people struggle to communicate it can lead to relationship breakdowns, social isolation and depression.

Emotional symptoms of hearing loss include:

• Feeling stressed out from straining to hear what others are saying.
• Becoming angry or annoyed because you can’t understand what a person is saying.
• Feeling embarrassed to speak with people in case you misunderstand them.
• Withdrawing for social situations you once enjoyed because of difficulty hearing.

Hearing loss is not something you have to put up with.

If you have any of the hearing loss symptoms make sure you get it treated as soon as possible to prevent it from becoming worse.

Health & Hearing offers free hearing assessments for Brisbane residents. Find a location near you.

Brisbane Audiology Clinics

Posted on March 24, 2015July 21, 2017 by Health & Hearing

About Our Very Own Brisbane Audiology Clinics

Health & Hearing now has four Brisbane audiology clinics located in Ashgrove, Chermside, Lawnton and Cannon Hill. View our locations here.

Since opening 2012, we have proudly remained an independent audiology provider. This allows us to provide a full range of comprehensive hearing solutions for our clients from our highly skilled audiometrists.

We offer our client’s a quality guarantee on not only our products, but also our services. Read more about our guarantee here.

To arrange a consultation at one of our clinics, complete our online booking form.

Alternatively, you can also take our short online hearing quiz here.