Journey to Better Hearing Magazine - JustHear by Just Hear

HEARING

LOSS Types and treatment

a BETTER life thro ug BETTER h Hearing

BETTER HEARING Taking the first steps

SIGNS of hearing loss

plus TINNITUS

The Facts

styles

YOUR JOURNEY TO BETTER HEARING STARTS HERE

Welcome

In this issue

Your journey to better hearing starts here... Our ability to hear defines who we are and how we communicate. When everything works as it should, our sense of hearing has the power to inform, entertain and connect us with family and friends. According to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), hearing loss affects nearly 9 million people in the UK and is a natural part of the ageing process. It is estimated that 55% of people over 60 are deaf or hard of hearing. As we continue to live longer, coupled with the added factor of prolonged exposure to high intensity noise at work and at home, hearing impairment is becoming even more common at an earlier age. More than half of all people with hearing challenges today are still in the workforce. Even a slight hearing loss can have a negative impact on your ability to work, socialise and enjoy life. Hearing loss treatment is a simple process that can quickly get you back on track and enjoying life to the fullest. There’s so much in life that’s worth hearing. You owe it to yourself to make sure you can appreciate every single sound. This guide is designed to provide information on hearing and hearing loss to help you make an informed decision on taking the right steps to begin your journey back to better hearing.

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HEARING AND HEARING LOSS

Signs of Hearing Loss Test your hearing with this list of common signs of hearing loss

DO YOU Frequently have to ask people to repeat themselves? DO YOU have trouble in noisy or busy places? DO YOU misunderstand conversations?

DO YOU find that people are mumbling or speaking more softly than they used to?

6 4 2

DO YOU turn up the volume on the TV or radio?

DO YOU avoid social situations? CAN YOU hear people talk, but have difficulty understanding the words? DO family, colleagues or friends suggest you might have a hearing problem?

How Your Hearing Works

DO YOU FIND difficulty understanding a speaker at a business meeting or service?

Explore how your hearing works and what leads to hearing problems

he ear consists of three main parts and performes a vital function in receiving and interpreting sound.

It is very important as human beings to use our sense of hearing. Losing the sense of hearing can completely change a person’s way of living.

a) Outer Ear b) Middle Ear c) Inner Ear

We should be properly educated in how to care for our sense of hearing by knowing how it works and preventing common causes of hearing loss.

The Outer Ear collects sound vibrations in the concha 1 and passes them along the ear canal 2

The ear consists of three main parts and each performs a vital function in receiving and interpreting sound.

The sound vibrates the ear drum 3 which in turn moves the tiny bones 4 in the Middle Ear.

Permanent hearing loss can occur once any of these parts encounters a problem, as it is very important that they function together perfectly.

This movement transmits vibrations to the cochlea 5 in the Inner Ear where they are received by fragile microscopic hair cells that convert vibration into nerve impulses for onward transmission by the auditory nerve 6 to the brain for recognition.

Hair cells are fragile and some die as a function of disease, head injuries, medications, exposure to noise and age. 7 These conditions cannot be medically or surgically corrected. The best treatment for hearing loss from

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YOU FEEL it is especially difficult to hear women or children speak?

damage to the hair cells or auditory nerve are hearing instruments.

YOU often hear a ringing or buzzing in your ears? YOU might notice a slight muffling of sound after noise exposure?

YOU find it hard to tell where the sound is coming from?

Healthy Inner Hair Cells

Damaged Inner Hair Cells

ou may have trouble understanding what people say, especially when you are in a noisy place; difficulty hearing the TV when others can is just another example that could indicate you have some degree hearing loss. Hearing loss is much more common than you expect, especially as we get older. For the over 50s, one in five people has a hearing loss.

It usually develops gradually, over a number of years. Since it is painless, it may be a while before you realise that your hearing is no longer as good as it was. On the other hand, the realisation can be quite sudden. For example, a child comments on the sound of a bird singing around you but you are unable to hear high pitched sounds that others can hear. This can leave you feeling isolated and frustrated or even depressed.

If you answer YES to any of these questions, you should have your hearing assessed professionally. The sooner your hearing loss is assessed and dealt with the better it will be for you. It could bring about great improvements to your life all round.

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HEARING AND HEARING LOSS

It Could Be Wax! E

ar wax (or Cerumen) is a naturally occurring substance found in the outer third of the ear canal. The process of migration allows the wax to travel round the ear canal taking dead skin and bacteria with it.

Cerumen

The Effects of Tinnitus Are REAL...

Very few people suffer with sufficient levels of wax to cause hearing loss and they may have to have their ears syringed to remove the excess material. Using cotton buds only pushes it back in again! Other forms of wax removal are available including oily sprays which can help to break it down. We can check your ears to see if wax levels can be regarded as excessive and if so, will remove it or refer you to your GP to have it removed.

What you should know about tinnitus 6

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Tinnitus - What it is and what you can do to treat it About 10% of the population have mild tinnitus all the time. Up to 1% of adults in the UK have tinnitus that affects the quality of life - that’s around 632,000 people. Hearing things literally inside your head that no-one else can hear is a very common and infuriating problem

innitus is the name given to the condition of noises ‘in the ears’ and/or ‘in the head’ with no external source.

There is a widely held mis-conception that tinnitus is confined to the elderly, but various studies have shown that it can occur at any age, even quite young children. Experiences of tinnitus are very common in all age groups, especially following exposure to loud noise or infection; however, it is nusual for it to be a major problem. Tinnitus noises are described variously as ringing, whistling, buzzing, humming and even chirping. The noises, known as subjective noise, meaning only the sufferer can hear it, may be heard in one ear, both ears or in the middle of the head or it may be difficult to pinpoint its exact location.

it can result in more serious issues, such as: • Long-term sleep disruption • Changes in cognitive ability • An inability to concentrate, such as completing tasks or reading • Stress in relationships • Anxiety and depression • Employment challenges Tinnitus is not a disease or illness, it is a symptom generated within a person’s own auditory path-ways. The precise cause of tinnitus is still not fully understood but it is usually associated with ear infections, high blood pressure or, most common, hearing loss. Currently, there is no known cure. No surgery or pill has been shown to get rid of tinnitus in any clinically accepted study, but there is relief.

The noise may be low, medium or high-pitched. There may be a single noise or two or more components. The noise may be continuous or may come and go. And because the noise is subjective, it affects people in different ways.

Sound therapy can be effective in treating tinnitus because it may make the tinnitus less noticeable or mask the tinnitus. Hearing aids may be included as a critical component of a sound therapy programme.

For some it’s a minor annoyance, one they can deal with easily. For others,

Notable suffers include Beethoven, Eric Clapton, Charles Darwin, Bono,

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Vincent Van Gogh, Schumann, Oscar Wilde, Sylvester Stallone and Barbra Streisand to name but a few. If you suspect that you may be suffering with tinnitus, we recommend that you consult your GP or call us before seeking further help.

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HEARING AND HEARING LOSS

With these results the hearing care professional will be able to recommend the most appropriate solution to get you back on the road to better hearing.

Your Hearing Evaluation A hearing assessment is painless and straightforward. Allow an hour so your individual needs can be discussed, perhaps have a friend or a loved one along too. First, your hearing care professional will talk to you about your background - medical history, job and hobbies etc., and any changes you may have noticed in your hearing. They will then give your ears a thorough physical examination using an otoscope to look inside. Next, you will be asked to listen to a series of sounds played at varying pitches and volumes through headphones. This is called a Pure-Tone audiology test. The results are entered onto an audiogram; a chart illustrating any hearing loss you may have.

Taking the First Steps to Better Hearing Don’t suffer unnecessarily; a hearing assessment is straightforward and painless

or some reason, unlike eye tests which are readily accepted, many people put off having their hearing assessed professionally. Delaying until your hearing has deteriorated further could reduce the possibilities of improvement.

some hearing loss and they are not sure of what steps to take to deal with the problem.

Many people suffer unnecessarily with their hearing ability. They may have difficulty facing the fact that they have

It is important to have it checked professionally as soon as possible. Delaying until your hearing has

If you think your hearing may have deteriorated, or if you believe a family member, friend or colleague is suffering from undiagnosed hearing loss, encourage them to contact their GP or hearing care professional.

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deteriorated further could result in the possibilities of improvement being noticeably reduced - the more your hearing ability declines the more you will be asking a hearing aid system to do to compensate. The hearing assessment produces a detailed analysis of the precise state of your hearing just as an sight test does for your eyes. In most cases a hearing test will detect a hearing loss if one is present, as well as determine the type of hearing loss.

The audiogram is a graphic representation of how we hear It provides information on the degree and type of hearing loss and is the first test used to determine any areas where your hearing can be improved, if you will be a candidate for hearing instruments or have a hearing loss that is medically or surgically attended to.

Learning How to Hear Again During the progression of hearing loss, the brain loses its ability to identify sounds that are no longer being received. The high frequency sounds are usually lost first, which is why people with a hearing loss often have difficulty hearing the soft high pitched voices of women and children. Certain words

that sound alike are also difficult to detect, especially words that contain S, F, SH, CH, H, or soft C sounds. When the reception is improved by using hearing instruments the brain has to relearn how to interpret the restored sounds like the high frequency sound of bird-song or the subtle sounds like rustling leaves, which you may have forgotten and need to be relearned.

As the brain’s rediscovery and relearning improves you may need to have your instrument gradually adjusted by your hearing care professional. Putting off wearing hearing instruments for too long may extend the period or readjustment that the brain has to make. CALL US TODAY TO BOOK YOUR FREE HEARING ASSESSMENT

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HEARING AND HEARING LOSS

be corrected with proper medical treatment.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss Often successfully treated with hearing aids, this type of hearing loss may result from: • damage to the sensory cells or nerve fibres of the inner ear • exposure to diseases like mumps, meningitis, multiple sclerosis or acute Grave’s Disease • use of certain drugs like aspirin, cisplatin, quinine and the antibiotics streptomycin and gentamicin • your mother contracting rubella (German Measles) during pregnancy • low birth weight • genetics • head or ear injuries.

Mixed Hearing Loss

Hearing Loss Types and Treatment As we grow older, many people begin to xperience hearing loss. This is a natural part of the ageing process and develops gradually over time. Already at age 20, we’ve lost the ability to perceive some of the sounds infants can hear. By the time we reach 30 or 40, subtle - but significant losses may begin to occur.

ith the added factor of prolonged exposure to high intensity noise at work and at home; hearing impairment is increasingly common at an earlier age. Even a slight hearing loss can have a negative impact on your ability to work, socialise and enjoy life. Once we reach our 80s, more than half of us suffer from significant hearing loss. Many of us don’t notice the early signs of hearing loss because we slowly adjust to the change. By the time we realise what’s happening, we may have

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already lost the full appreciation of sounds and music we once enjoyed.

Types of Hearing Loss Conductive Hearing Loss

This is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. This type of loss may be successfully treated with a combination of medical assistance and use of a hearing device.

Degrees of Hearing Loss Hearing loss affects everyone differently and it varies by degree from person to person. The medical community recognises four levels of hearing loss:

This occurs when the external and middle ear can no longer conduct sound into the inner ear.

Mild Hearing Loss: Soft sounds are hard to hear. Understanding speech clearly in noisy environments may be challenging.

One of the most common causes of conductive hearing loss is blockage in the external ear canal, typically caused by ear wax build-up or infection. Most cases are temporary and can

Moderate Hearing Loss: Soft and moderately loud sounds are hard to hear. It’s often difficult to understand speech, especially when there’s background noise.

Severe Hearing Loss: Some loud sounds are audible, but without a hearing instrument is impossible.

• Social participation • Perception of mental functioning • Emotional stability

Profound Hearing Loss: Some extremely loud sounds are audible. Communication without a hearing instrument is impossible.

At their most basic, hearing aids are microphones that convert sound into electrical signals. An amplifier increases the strength of the signal, then a receiver converts it back to sound and channels it into the ear canal through a small tube or earmould. A battery is necessary to power the hearing aid and to enable amplification.

Treatment If you’re diagnosed with a hearing loss, we will then discuss the treatments available. One of the common treatments of hearing loss is a hearing device. Research on people with hearing loss and their significant others has shown that hearing aids play a significant factor in a person’s social, emotional, psychological and physical well-being. • Communication in relationships • Intimacy and warmth in family relationships • Ease in communication • Earning power • Sense of control over your life

Today’s hearing aids are sophisticated, state-of-the-art instruments that require computer programming to adjust to your specific lifestyle and listening environments. Hearing loss treatment is a simple process that can put you back on the track to better hearing.

When you consider all the benefits of better hearing, you can see that hearing instruments hold great potential to positively change your life.

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Hearing Myths and Facts... The effect of a hearing impairment is subtle, yet can be debilitating. Here in the UK today, over 10 million people suffer from a hearing impairment. Unfortunately, only a fraction of those do something about it

ormal sound perception is a vitally important factor in our lives. Yet, all too often it’s taken for granted.

MYTH: Wearing a hearing aid is a sign of getting old...

Our listening environment is shaped by sound in a complex ever-present background, much of which is beneath our awareness.

... Don’t believe everything you hear. Myths are passed around and prevent people getting to the facts. On a subconscious level, these sounds provide us with a true sense of participation and security in the world. Overtly, there are signals of danger and those that help us to communicate. Most people are burdened with misconceptions about their hearing and about what Hearing Aids can do to help. That’s why we created this simple guide to help you separate the myths from the facts...

MYTH

Only a few people are hearing impaired and chances are, neither I, nor those close to me are affected.

FACT

The odds are that you or someone close to you has some degree of hearing impairment. In fact, some 10 million people in the UK are estimated

to suffer from some form of hearing impairment.

MYTH

If I had a hearing impairment, I would certainly know about it.

FACT

Not necessarily. Often an impairment develops slowly and subtly. Our own built-in defenses make it difficult for us to determine whether we do or don’t. A simple hearing test would determine if an impairment exists.

MYTH

Hearing aids will restore my hearing to normal.

FACT

Hearing aids are designed to aid

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a person’s hearing. Hearing aids cannot restore human hearing nor can they alter the progression of nreve deafness. They are only part of hearing rehabilitation and may need to be supplemented by auditory training.

MYTH

Hearing aids are large and unsightly.

and 21 of this ‘Your Journey to Better Hearing’ Magazine.

MYTH

Hearing aids amplify all sounds, including background noise.

FACT

With the advent of digital technology hearing aids can narrow the sound reception area, reducing interfering background noise and conversations from the sides and rear.

MYTH

A really good hearing aid is too expensive.

FACT

Here at JUSTHEAR, we can offer the very best in hearing aid technology at prices well within the reach of most people. Whichever way you look at it, a hearing aid could be the best investment you ever make.

In the UK there are 4 million people who could benefit from a hearing aid. Currently only 2 million people have one.

FACT

Hearing tests through JUSTHEAR are completely free of charge. They are available from a Local Hearing Professional and are non-intrusive. The test results will give your Hearing Professional the information to discuss your hearing loss with you in more detail.

MYTH MYTH

Wearing a hearing aid is a sign of getting old.

FACT

Although hearing impairment is common in older adults, many middleaged and younger people are affected too. Remember: a hearing loss is more noticeable than a hearing aid.

I can hear OK, it’s other people that mumble.

FACT

Often it’s the start and the end of the words that you miss with a mild hearing impairment. This leads to a lack of clarity in speech.

MYTH

Hearing tests are expensive and inconvenient.

FACT: ...Although hearing impairment is common in older adults, many middleaged and younger people are affected too.

FACT

Most people aren’t aware of the latest technological advances that have been made to hearing aids. Many hearing aids are amazingly tiny and discreet. They’re so technologically advanced that they’ve made most old-fashioned hearing aids obsolete. See the collection of hearing aid technology and styles on pages 20

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HEARING YOUR JOURNEY INSTRUMENT TO BETTER TECHNOLOGY HEARING AND STARTS PRODUCTS HERE

Hearing Instrument Technology It is useful to take some time to understand the many types and styles of hearing instruments available. Together with your hearing care professional, you can be confident that you are making the right decision to suit your hearing loss and your lifestyle. private hearing care professionals, is comprehensive enough to provide clearer hearing to everyone. All instruments work on the principles of amplifying sounds received by the ear so they can be transferred to the brain, but hearing instruments differ enormously in their refinement and customising. The two basic categories of hearing instruments are analogue and digital. A simple way to understand the qualities of these different technologies is to compare them with personal music players.

he most important part of any hearing instrument is the technology inside. Put simply, the more sophisticated the technology the more precise and realistic the listening experience.

Analogue instruments are from the same generation as cassette tape players. Digital instruments are from today’s generation of CDs and MP3 players and, being digital, they are capable of exceptionally

Until now, the majority of hearing instruments used either analogue or digital technology to process sound, but the very latest advances in hearing instrument technology have led to the introduction of state-of-the-art hearing instruments with nanotechnology. Everyone’s hearing difficulties are different but the choice of hearing instruments today, particularly through

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Analogue vs. Digital hearing aid. Actual size.

refined individual adjustments and programming so that they automatically respond to changing conditions. Not surprisingly, thousands of previous users of analogue hearing instruments have already converted to digital hearing instruments.

Analogue Hearing Instruments This is the oldest, simplest and least expensive hearing instrument technology available. Analogue hearing instruments amplify sounds, both speech and noise. Quiet sounds are amplified until they are loud enough to be heard, but loud sounds that are already loud are given less amplification, so you’re protected against uncomfortably loud sound levels. Many of the advanced features which are offered in digital instruments are not available in analogue instruments.

Digital Hearing Instruments With the advent of digital sound quality, patients were able to experience significantly better sound quality. Digital hearing instruments are embedded with computer chips which allow sound to be amplified at the specific frequencies where hearing loss has occurred. This enables the hearing care professional to customise the hearing instrument to your unique needs, resulting in a more realistic and natural hearing experience. Digital hearing instruments are also available with wireless technology. These instruments are capable of steaming sound from your TV, radio, MP3 player, computer and even your mobile phone directly to your hearing instrument. They are self learning and gradually and automatically learns your volume

control preferences and pinpoints sounds you want to hear while minimising those you don’t.

Nanotechnology Beyond digital, this cutting-edge science occurs at the molecular level to further enhance the listening experience and deliver more features than previously possible. Hearing instruments built with nanotechnology can virtually eliminate several of the most troublesome characteristics of older instruments like feedback and sound artefacts. Other advantages include a seamless transition from one listening environment to the next, improved

Digital wireless hearing instruments, no matter where you are and what you are doing, are designed to make listening easier and designed to fit your life. speech intelligibility, automatic activation to eliminate the need for manual adjustments and near-perfect feedback elimination. As well as the technology that goes into today’s hearing aids, there are also many styles, colours and fitting options, turn to page 20 to find out more.

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YOUR JOURNEY TO BETTER HEARING STARTS HERE HEARING INSTRUMENT TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTS

f your hearing evaluation by your JUSTHEAR Hearing Care Professional shows that you have hearing loss in both ears, two hearing aids will almost certainly be recommended. While it may be tempting to try a single hearing aid, the truth is that one hearing aid will never be able to do the job of two just like our own natural hearing abilities. As we know when we listening to music, hearing in “stereo” rather than “mono” massively improves the quality of sound. Stereo is more generally natural and clearer, with a fuller, cleaner and richer sound.

Balanced Hearing is Better Hearing The human hearing system is designed to work with both ears. The technical term is binaural listening and the auditory system is wired for it to allow for the best possible hearing and understanding, we work best when we work both ears.

The brain naturally hears sound in this way, but it needs the signal from both ears to do so. Using only one hearing aid when two are required does not provide the full signal input the brain requires. Just as you have two ears, you have two halves of your brain, they both work together to create what is known as auditory intelligence. Each ear sends a slightly different signal to your brain, and the signals travel a complicated neural pathway. Some signals stay on the same side of the brain; others cross over to the opposite side where they are received differently and have different effects on perception and understanding. This complex system - involving both ears and both sides of the brain - helps increase auditory function giving you a better understanding of everything around you. Sound signals from both ears give your brain the ability to locate the sound source. This is particularly important when in company, being able to quickly identify which person in a group is speaking so you can bring your attention to them. It is also important for reasons of personal safety; for example, binaural

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hearing helps you identify the direction from which traffic is approaching. Being able to hear speech both sides in a group setting is crucial to participating fully in a conversation. If you’re only wearing a hearing aid in one ear, you can’t hear the person on the other side of you as well.

“Many studies show significant evidence that people who wear two hearing aids if required are more satisfied than those who choose to only wear one!”

10 reasons why people find two hearing aids better than one! • Better understanding in speech • Better understanding in a group or even in a noisy situation • Better ability to tell the direction sounds are coming from • Better sound quality

When two hearing aids are worn, you can keep the volume lower and still hear perfectly well. With just one hearing aid, you often need to turn up the volume to an uncomfortably high level in order to compensate. This often causes some sounds to be over amplified and also can cause the hearing instrument to feedback causing whistling. Two hearing aids especially ones with directional microphone, this enable you to draw speech when in a noisy environment helping you focus on the person who is speaking with greater ease.

• Greater listening comfort • Hearing is less tiring and more pleasant • Keeping both ears active preserves speech understanding in both ears • Preference • Satisfaction • Tinnitus masking

This helps to reduce auditory fatigue. With only one hearing aid, noises blend together and it is difficult to discriminate between the sounds you want to hear and those you don’t. The quality of sound provided by two hearing aids significantly enhances the listening experience. Most say once they’ve tried two hearing aids, they would never go back to wearing just one.

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YOUR JOURNEY TO BETTER HEARING STARTS HERE HEARING INSTRUMENT TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTS

Hearing Instrument Styles The JustHear essential guide to the range of hearing instrument styles available to improve your hearing.

ome people who know they have a hearing loss are too embarrassed or feel they’re showing a weakness if they acknowledge the problem. While you are no doubt concerned about appearance, others will be much less aware of your hearing instruments than you. The majority of today’s hearing instruments are very discreet - keep in mind that your hair style and colour can also play a role too. Most likely, once you have a hearing instrument your quality of life will be so improved that cosmetics won’t be as much an issue for you. In fact, some hearing instruments even come in bright and metallic colours, making hearing instruments a fashion statement instead of something to hide!

INVISIBLE IN THE CANAL (IIC)

There are many factors we will discuss with you before recommending a hearing instrument style, including your hearing requirements, lifestyle, and of course your budget. The following styles are all available with many different programmable technologies to suit your needs.

IN THE EAR (ITE) ITE instruments house the technology components in a custom earmould that fits within the outer portion of the ear.

RECEIVER IN CANAL ABSOLUTE POWER (RIC AP) The RIC AP combines a custom earmould with a sleek RIC instrument allowing people with even the most severe hearing loss to enjoy style without sacrificing power and performance.

RECEIVER IN CANAL (RIC) The RIC device is small, discreet and incredibly quick to fit; perfect for many first-time wearers.

The newest custom fit style is virtually invisible when worn. Living in the second bend of the ear, the IIC comes complete with the world’s industry-leading technology.

MINI BEHIND THE EAR (miniBTE) COMPLETELY IN THE CANAL (CIC) These devices fit completely in the ear canal. Only the head of a tiny plastic line - with which you insert or remove the instrument - shows above the canal.

The mini BTE rests behind the ear. The case at the back of the ear houses the technology, while a clear tube then directs amplified sound into the ear canal via a custom earmould or earbud.

BEHIND THE EAR (BTE) IN THE CANAL (ITC) ITC instruments feature a custom earmould that fits down the ear canal and a small portion that faces out into the outer ear.

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BTE instruments’ technology is housed in a casing that rests behind the ear. A clear plastic tube then directs amplified sound into an earmould inside the ear canal.

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YOUR JOURNEY TO BETTER HEARING STARTS HERE HEARING PROTECTION AND SOLUTIONS

Spectacle Hearing Instruments

Approximate Decibel Levels

Change your glasses into a personal hearing system!

pectacle aids combine glasses and a hearing system into one device providing a discreet and elegant solution. Spectacle aids offer a unique hearing solution. Wearing spectacles and a hearing instrument can often be uncomfortable and cumbersome for wearers.

AMP: Invisible, Affordable The hearing aid for people who aren’t ready to wear a hearing aid.

e get it! You may be having trouble hearing what people are saying, or are starting to miss out on the sounds you once heard, but you’re not sure you’re ready to wear a hearing aid yet. Especially one that people can see.

The hearing system is integrated into the arm of the spectacles frame. As the wearer is already used to wearing their spectacles the device is comfortable and the additional use of the frames as a hearing system is often quickly forgotten. In addition, the hearing system can be fitted using a ‘click’ system so that any

There are many hearing aid styles now on the market that are almost invisible when worn, and they are custom made to your indivual ears anatomy, but AMP is different; it is ready to wear and can be fitted in a single visit to your hearing care professional. AMP is a new kind of hearing aid - one so tiny it fits virtually invisibly in your ear canal where no one else can see it. It’s comfortable, works well with many levels of hearing loss and has been designed specifically for first-time hearing aid users. Due to its small size AMP takes advantage of your ears natural acoustics for a sound quality that you need to hear to believe. AMP can be removed easily for better ear health. Over 70% of hearing loss sufferers can benefit from AMP. A thorough exam of your ear canal and the results of your hearing test will determine if you qualify.

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repairs or adjustments can be made without the need for the wearer to be without their glasses which can be inconvenient. Spectacle instruments provide a unique hearing system which is individual, elegant and comfortable to wear making it distinctly different from other hearing solutions.

Preventing Hearing Loss Loss of hearing is almost inevitable as the years go by, but our guide to hearing loss can help to minimise it.

any experts agree that continual exposure to more than 80dB is dangerous.

Isn’t it time for you to AMP?

Hearing Loss can happen at any age and is also a natural part of the ageing process, but there are steps that can be taken to protect yourself from hearing loss. Being exposed to loud noise is one of the ways that our hearing can be damaged. The chart opposite illustrates the noise levels of different sound environments and how time spent in noisy environments can risk long term damage to your hearing. Many experts agree that being exposed to noise levels of 80dB and above presents a risk to hearing.

There is a wide range of noise protection products available which are suitable for many different environments from sporting and recreation activities to music concerts and workplace noise. Your hearing care professional will be able to provide you with more information on the right noise protection for your needs.

“Jet engines can create a deafening 140dB of noise!”

In these sound environments it is important to use hearing protection to prevent damage to your hearing.

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YOUR JOURNEY TO BETTER HEARING STARTS HERE HEARING PROTECTION AND SOLUTIONS

It’s a Noisy World Out There Preventative steps to protect your hearing or the hearing of a loved one.

oise levels have increased everywhere. From hair dryers to lawn mowers, iPods®, motorway traffic, surround sound speakers and more, our modern lifestyles constantly expose our ears to damaging levels of noise. Our work work environments are becoming increasingly loud as well. Some of the noisiest workplaces are those where firefighters, factory workers, farmers, teachers, construction workers and musicians spend a significant part of their day. • Avoid prolonged exposure to entertainment devices, such as MP3 players, televisions, stereos, etc. It is recommended that MP3 playing exposure times should no exceed 40 hours/week at 80dB, or 5 hours a week at 89dB.

noise levels. Have your children wear ear protection too! • Wear hearing protection when doing lawn work or operating loud equipment such as chain saws, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, etc.

• There are more than 10 million people in the UK with some form of hearing loss - that’s one in six of the population.

• Set an example for your children and discuss the reason for wearing hearing protection.

• Over 41% of over 50 year olds in the UK have some form of hearing loss.

90% of young people experienced ringing in their ears after a night out that’s a sign of hearing damage!

• It is estimated that by 2031 there will be 14.5 million people with hearing loss.

• If you are in a noisy restaurant or environment and find yourself constantly asking “what?”, the noise level may be too loud. • If you are wearing the popular ‘earbud’ headsets and the people around you can hear the music, it’s too loud. • When using personal listening devices, check manufacturer’s data on how to set volume controls. • When attending concerts or loud sporting events, wear filtered ear plugs to control your personal

Hearing Facts and Figures...

Your Journey to Better Hearing Starts Here

• There are an estimated 150,000 adults in the UK who have Acquired Profound Hearing Loss (APHL) • About 2 million people in the UK have hearing aids, but only 1.4 million use them regularly. • At least 4 million people in the UK who do not have hearing aids would benefit from them. • On average it takes up to 10 years for people to address their hearing loss. All information courtesy of ACTION ON HEARING LOSS. www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk

0800 068 3533 • www.justhear.co.uk • info@justhear.co.uk

YOUR JOURNEY TO BETTER HEARING STARTS HERE HEARING PROTECTION AND SOLUTIONS

hen it comes to the highest quality of sound technology, Tunz offer a custom listening experience unlike any other. That’s because custom products are engineered precisely for your ears by expert laboratory technicians. Protection against hearing damage is essential where exposure to loud sounds occurs as a result of occupational or recreational activity. Protection and enhancement products are the first step to preserving hearing health. There is an excellent portfolio of custom-fit options that blend performance with hearing protection for all professional and recreational listening needs.

TUNZ HEADPHONES

listening environments and are available with three eartip sizes so you can choose the one that’s most comfortable for you. Tunz Custom Earmoulds for headphones for use with all your audio equipment, you can attsch these ‘made just for you’ earmoulds directly to your existing headphones for a perfect fit every time. These custom earmoulds will allow your headphones to stay comfortably in place while jogging or at the gym.

“I love to go on long runs or to the gym with my Tunz Custom-Fit Headphones on because they stay in place and sound great.” Julie TUNZ MUSICIANS

Sound Solutions Prolonged noise can damage your hearing - even short bursts of sound over 90dB can have an impact. Protection against hearing damage is essential. An excellent portfolio of customfit protection and enhancement products from Starkey Hearing Technologies, blending performance and protection are the first step in preserving your hearing health.

Your Journey to Better Hearing Starts Here

Tunz Custom Audio Monitors are ideal for MP3 players. They provide the ultimate in comfort abd crystal clear clarity because they fit perfectly and block out unwanted noise. Tunz In-Ear Headphones enjoy rich sound quality with sound-isolating headphones. Perfect for noisier

“My kids used to blast their music, but with Tunz Custom-Fit Headphones they hear the music at lower volumes. Now I don’t have to worry about their hearing.” Andrew

Discover natural, balanced sound with pure, rich tones with Tunz Custom Stage Monitors. These custom-fit monitors eliminate the need for traditional stage wedge monitors. Tunz Musicians Filtered Earplugs for a musician, hearing isn’t just a means of communication it’s a way of life. Yet constant exposure to high sound levels can affect a musician’s ability to make crucial sonic adjustments during a performance. Musicians earplugs are flat response attenuators which replicate the natural response of the open ear so that sound heard through these plugs has the same quality as the original sound, just quieter.

0800 068 3533 • www.justhear.co.uk • info@justhear.co.uk

YOUR JOURNEY TO BETTER HEARING STARTS HERE HEARING PROTECTION AND SOLUTIONS

Learning to Hear Well Again Many of life’s important activities involve learning. Although not always easy, learning combines desire, practice and a belief that if you keep trying, success and enjoyment will eventually occur.

any of life’s important activities involve learning. Although not always easy, learning combines desire, practice and a belief that if you keep trying, success and enjoyment will eventually occur. Acquiring hearing instruments is only the beginning of the journey back to better hearing. Time spent adjusting to your new hearing instruments is crucial to better hearing. To achieve better hearing you must work at it daily. Successful hearing aid users will gladly tell you that their effort to learn and their time spent practising was worth it. Inconsistent use of hearing instruments does not permit you to attain full benefit from them. Because you haven’t heard some sounds and noises for a long time, at first, the sounds amplified by your hearing aids will sound tinny, metallic, artificial and unnatural. But, this is because you are hearing the high frequency speech sounds like s, f, k, that you have been missing, or have heard differently for years. Stick with your new hearing instruments until your brain has had a chance to adjust too. Understanding occurs in the brain, not in your ears. Getting your brain reused to sound is like priming a pump - you’ve got to stay with it long enough for the water to flow. Once it’s flowing

- and it will flow, the hardest part is over. While we here at IOM Hearing Solutions will encourage new hearing instrument users to start at a slow pace at home, your ultimate goal is to use your hearing instruments all day, every day. This includes times when it’s quiet, times when it’s noisy and times when you may think you don’t need to be wearing them. After you have completed your initial couple of weeks of gradual hearing use, you should put your hearing instruments on first thing when you wake up and take them out at bed time. It is a mistake to only wear them when you go out to social functions because your brain will be flooded and startled by unfamiliar ambient sounds. Be patient, and don’t give up. Retreat temporarily if you become tired, but don’t give up. Keep working - it will become easier. Call your hearing care professional whenever you need help or encouragement - they are there to support you with any concerns or questions that you may have.

How Friends and Family Can Help Many people initially treat hearing problems as an individual matter, something that can be dealt with by themselves. But because

Your Journey to Better Hearing Starts Here

communication involves more than just one person, so too does the impact of your impairment.

You may have relied on these ever present cues as your hearing loss gradually impaired your understanding of speech.

others should speak clearly at a normal level, without rushing or slurring their words. Be sure that they have your full attention before they begin speaking.

The continuing support of family and friends are crucial as you pursue improved hearing and communication. While you are adjusting to the acoustic and relearning part of amplification, family and friends can help you with the many emotional needs that accompany the transition.

Now they are equally important as you learn to hear with your hearing instruments. Reading the lips, facial expressions and gestures of others can enhance the learning process and supplement what amplification alone may miss.

It is often preferable to rephrase rather than repeat the same words over and over, as you may find it easier to understand different words.

Hearing is only one part of how we exchange ideas, thoughts and feelings. Effective communication combines listening, understanding, attention, concentration, interest and visual or non-verbal cues.

There is a tendency for those around you to speak loudly - especially if it is how they previously communicated with you. With your hearing instruments on, a loud voice can actually make understanding more difficult, if not more irritating. Now that your hearing instruments provide the amplification,

Start in Quiet, Familiar Places At first, use your hearing instruments only in familiar, quiet surroundings, where you can identify and locate simple background sounds - running water, doors closing, birds singing - that you may not have heard for a while.

Other sounds like your own voice, will sound different. In the same quiet environment, practice listening to and conversing with someone facing you who has a familiar voice and understands your needs. Don’t be alarmed if you can’t immediately understand everything. A low, comfortable volume level is preferable as you adapt to the new sound quality, even if you occasionally miss soft sounds or parts of conversation.

Focus on Specific Sounds As you wear your hearing instruments in a wider variety of sound

0800 068 3533 • www.justhear.co.uk • info@justhear.co.uk

YOUR JOURNEY TO BETTER HEARING STARTS HERE HEARING PROTECTION AND SOLUTIONS

environments, practice selecting specific sounds and voices and focus your attention on them. As you venture into familiar public places such as restaurants, bars, church or meetings, sit reasonably close and within easy visual distance of those speaking. Because every area has its own characteristics, you may need to try different locations for the best results.

Hints and Tips for Better Communication • Be sure that friends or colleagues have your full attention before you begin to speak.

Working Together

• Face the person with whom you’re talking. Don’t try to converse from a different room or with your back turned.

Be assured that we are prepared to do all we can to help you achieve the highest level of hearing satisfaction.

• Stand in well-lit areas to make reading lips and facial expressions easier.

Be sure to have a regular, periodical examination of both your hearing instruments and your ears with your hearing care professional.

• Avoid activities that make lip-reading difficult like chewing, smoking, reading a newspaper or leaning your cheek on your hand while talking.

You may have friends or relatives who also experience hearing difficulties. Encourage them to have their hearing tested with us too.

• Try not to talk too quickly. Speak naturally, but try to pronounce your words more clearly. This will naturally slow your speech, so be careful not to overdo it.

• If others are having trouble under-standing you, try rephrasing your sentence rather than just repeating yourself. Some words are easier than others to hear or lip-read. • Try to eliminate background noise when holding a conversation. Turn off the television and close any windows to reduce outside interference. • Move closer to your listener so your voice is louder than the background noise. Your face and lips will also be easier to read. • Find somewhere quieter to talk You’ll simplify the situation and protect your own hearing in the process.

Your Hearing Diary

Your Journey to Better Hearing Starts Here

WEEK TWO

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earing loss treatment is a simple process that can quickly get you back on track to enjoy life to the fullest. Your Hearing Care Professional is ready to help you find a solution, all it takes is a conversation to get started.

What else can I do? Track your hearing experience for a couple of weeks and take your findings along to your hearing evaluation. Use our diary to record the number of times you have trouble carrying on a conversation, or how often you need someone to repeat themselves.

Additional Notes

WEEK ONE

0800 068 3533 • www.justhear.co.uk • info@justhear.co.uk

YOUR SIX STEPS TO BETTER HEARING Have a free hearing assessment from a fully qualified, registered hearing care professional to define the precise nature of your hearing loss.

Call us today on freephone:

0800 068 3533 email us at info@justhear.co.uk

or visit our website today:

www.justhear.co.uk

Discuss the hearing instrument options suitable for you and choose the hearing system that suits you best. Have your chosen hearing system fitted by your hearing care professional, who will advise on using it. Get accustomed to your new hearing instruments over the period recommended by your hearing care professional. Revisit your hearing care professional at the recommended intervals for any further adjustments and to discuss the best ways to continue to get maximum benefit from your hearing instruments. Contact us TODAY. And soon youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be on track to better hearing.

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