Yvonne has been a Hidden Hearing audiologist for six years and has been at Hidden Hearing Waterford, based in Arundel Square in the city, for the past two years. She has implemented a number of patient care initiatives which have seen the branch now recognised as a Centre of Excellence for hearing care in Ireland. The proud winner said that making a difference in people’s lives brings tremendous satisfaction.

Yvonne Doyle – Hearing Aid Audiologist

“With hearing difficulties, patients can worry and lose confidence. Treatment often brings a new lease of life, and it is a great feeling when you see the difference that restored hearing makes”, Yvonne said on accepting her award.

A coveted honour in the field of audiology, the Audiologist of the Year competition asks patients to nominate a hearing care professional who goes above and beyond the call of duty, providing outstanding care and help to both patients and their patients’ family. All nominations received were judged by a panel of independent industry professionals, who are leaders in the audiology sector across Europe.

Yvonne Doyle, who faced tough competition from audiologists all over Ireland to win the top title, was nominated by a grateful patient in recognition of her friendliness, exceptional care and consistent support.

Hearing loss can be a worrying experience, but a professional audiologist not only diagnoses and treats the problem but also provides reassurance, encouragement and kindness throughout the patient’s treatment, Stephen Leddy, Managing Director at Hidden Hearing said at the award presentation.

“At Hidden Hearing, it is our mission to make a difference in people’s lives. Our hearing specialists throughout the country are known for their dedication and patient care, and take pride in both solving hearing problems and reassuring their patients. We are delighted that Yvonne’s hard work and professionalism has been recognised today.”

75% of Hearing Loss Untreated

Irish research shows that up to 75% of people with hearing difficulty are going untreated, mostly those in their mid-sixties and over. Age-related hearing problems are common, but it is important to seek professional advice and treatment, as hearing loss has wider health implications.

“A report by the National Council on the Ageing has shown that people with hearing loss who do not use hearing aids can be prone to depression, worry, and diminished social activity. Whereas those whose hearing loss is treated report better relationships, improved mood, and more independence”, Stephen Leddy says.

GP Nina Byrnes is Hidden Hearing’s medical advisor and says that, in most cases, hearing loss is gradual and it goes unnoticed until it is very pronounced. “On average, it takes 10 years for people with a hearing problem to be affected to the extent that they do something about it”, she says, adding that this is not an ideal situation. Untreated hearing loss not only affects quality of life, but also the brain’s ability to remember common everyday sounds, and these needs to be relearned when full hearing is restored with a hearing aid, she claims.

To book an appointment at your local branch, click here.

The post Top Hearing Healthcare Award for our Waterford Audiologist Yvonne Doyle appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

Many people put off seeking help from an audiologist because they are worried about wearing hearing aids, but here at Hidden Hearing, our friendly team will guide you through the process and demonstrate the benefits of a wide variety of devices. We stock many different hearing aids, including some that are invisible to others while they are being worn.

Your Audiology Questions Answered:

Here, your most common queries about hearing loss and hearing aids are answered by our experts:

Q. Does hearing loss only affect elderly people?
A. No, this is a commonly held misconception. Hearing loss affects people of all ages and backgrounds, and may be caused by use of prescription medicines or exposure to loud noises as well as natural deterioration as the body ages.

Q. Are hearing aids uncomfortable?
A. No. A hearing aid may take a while to get used to, but once you are wearing it regularly, it should be comfortable and easy to insert and remove without any pain or fluid buildup.

Q. Are hearing aids complicated to use?
A. Hearing aids vary in style and type to enable users to select the option most compatible with their type of hearing loss and their lifestyle. Some hearing aids are designed to be very easy to operate, and have larger components and simple settings. Other hearing devices contain more complex technology than a smartphone and can use a Bluetooth connection to listen to music or stream audio from your television, for example.

Q. Will everyone know I’m wearing a hearing aid?
A. No! In-the-ear hearing aids are designed to sit in the ear canal and are not visible from the outer ear. These are popular options for cosmetic reasons, and can often be adjusted using a remote control or even a smartphone app.

Q. Are hearing aids expensive?
A. There are hearing aids to suit every budget, and you can talk to your audiologist about the different options that may work for you. Optional extras, such as Bluetooth connectivity, may dramatically influence the price you pay, but remember that payment plans may be available to help you spread the cost of your device.

Book a Free Hearing Test at Hidden Hearing

Hidden Hearing is Ireland’s leading private provider of hearing care solutions, and our national network includes over seventy-five branches and clinics. You can visit us for a free hearing test and discuss any hearing problems you are experiencing with our audiologists to find the best solution for you and your lifestyle.

Contact Hidden Hearing online today, or pop into your local branch.

The post Common Misconceptions Answered By Your Audiologist appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

If you are concerned about yourself, or someone you care about, it’s best to consult an audiologist for expert advice. Some hearing losses may be easily remedied by an ear wax removal procedure, for example! Many people put off seeking help because they are worried about the stigma of wearing hearing aids, but with increasingly sophisticated technology, this should no longer be an issue.

Why Are Men More Likely To Experience Hearing Loss?

1. Exposure to noise. Statistics show that many more men than women are employed in jobs that have a high noise level, particularly in the construction industry and the fire service. Men aged between 20 and 69 are far more likely to develop hearing loss than their female counterparts, and many experts point to this higher level of exposure to loud noises as an explanation of this. Ear defenders are a great way to preserve your hearing, and should always be used when you are in a noisy environment.
2. Brain differences. Male and female brains are different. Scientific exploration has confirmed that male brains have more neural connections inside each hemisphere of the brain than women, who have more connections between the two hemispheres. This research is highly significant in many ways, but with regard to hearing loss, it may provide the key to understanding the higher levels of hearing loss experienced by men.
3. High frequency hearing loss. When people lose their hearing as a result of the natural ageing process, we tend to see that men first notice difficulties with high frequency sounds, while women are more likely to develop low frequency hearing loss. Perhaps the way in which men lose their hearing is more obvious at an earlier stage, however, since the problems that can be associated with sustained hearing loss, such as Dementia and depression, are statistically more likely to affect women.

Take a Free Hearing Test at Hidden Hearing

If you think that you may be experiencing hearing loss, you should make an appointment for a free hearing test with an experienced audiologist. This will enable you to find out the extent of your hearing problem and choose the best solutions for your lifestyle.

Hidden Hearing is Ireland’s leading private provider of hearing care solutions, and our national network includes over seventy-five branches and clinics. We have a great range of impressive digital hearing aids for you to try, including invisible hearing aids, which are tiny and highly effective. Contact Hidden Hearing online today, or pop into your local branch.

The post Hearing Loss In Men appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

This means that the other 80% of people with hearing problems continue to muddle along, smiling and nodding during conversations, pretending to hear what’s being said; turning up the volume on their TV sets or radios really loudly and withdrawing from social life or avoiding telephone calls because they are battling to follow what’s going on.

This is why hearing loss has been linked to conditions such as depression as a result of social isolation and even dementia, as some scientists think that there may be a link to dementia as a result of reduced activity in the auditory cortex of the brain, which can lead to atrophy.

So what is going on?

And why don’t more people go and get their hearing checked, especially when our hearing clinics offer free hearing tests? After all, most people get their eyes checked regularly, so why not their ears?

1. One reason may be because hearing gradually decreases over time, so its cumulative effects are not always noticeable. In fact, when someone reports noticing that they’ve had problems with their hearing for the last few months, it’s very often the case that they have had the problem for a lot longer – often a number years – before finally noticing that something is wrong.
2. Another reason may be that vision tends to be our dominant sense – it is the primary way in which we navigate the world, so we tend to prioritise it over hearing.
3. Of course, there is also the social stigma involved in wearing hearing aids – many people are embarrassed to wear them in public, even though they wouldn’t think twice about wearing eye glasses in the same situation.
4. These days, though, there are so many options and models of hearing aids available, with many of the classic behind-the-ear designs being very discreetly designed so as to be unnoticeable. In addition, there are now also a number of hearing aids that fit inside the ear and can’t be seen at all when inserted. Audio quality has also come a long way, thanks to developments in digital sound, so there is even less reason these days not to get one if you need it!
5. Worries about cost can also be another barrier. There are usually a wide choice of options available that come in a range of prices, with many providers offering a range of payment options to help patients spread the cost of their device.

Ultimately, though, the potential improvement to the quality of your life and health that hearing aids can offer far outweigh any of the costs involved. So if you know somebody who is suffering in silence, urge them to go and get their hearing tested!
For more information on how to book your free hearing test, as well as a free buying guide to hearing aids, visit our website or call on 1800 818 808.

The post Why Aren’t More People Getting Tested For Hearing Aids? appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

The good news is that you’ll soon be able to hear all those comforting, familiar sounds again, and fully participate in normal social conversation without difficulty – something worth keeping in mind as it will help motivate you to persevere through any initial hiccups.

In general, it takes around three to four weeks to adjust to using a hearing aid for the first time. To help you make the transition more smoothly, here are five useful hints:

1.    Read the user manual! Rather like your new mobile phone, it really is a good idea to get to grips with all the functions and features of your new hearing aid if you want to make the most out of it. You may discover things that you might otherwise have missed, such as how to alter the settings on your device to handle different audio environments, or use the remote control that comes with some models. When in doubt, check with your audiologist.
2.    Insert the battery into the correct compartment. If you aren’t sure how to open it, check the user manual. It is worth bearing in mind that batteries may not last as long as you think they will – many need charging every one to three days. To avoid running into problems, it is worth getting into the habit of recharging them regularly and carrying spares with you. Thanks to our ‘free batteries for life’ scheme, you should never have to worry about going without a fully working battery.
3.    If you have a model that requires insertion into the ear canal, make sure that you put the correct ear piece into the appropriate ear – otherwise your hearings aids may not work properly. Many devices are marked with ‘L’ and ‘R’ for ‘left’ and ‘right’ – but some use a colour code, such as blue for left, and red for right. Check the manual if you are unsure at first. Ultimately, though, practice makes perfect.
4.    It may take a number of goes before you are able to insert and remove your hearing aids effortlessly and find a comfortable fit. Using a mirror in the beginning can often help you position your device correctly. The key is not to force anything into position – not only can you cause damage to the device, but you may end up hurting your ears. If you notice any blood or fluid in your ears, something is wrong and you should consult your audiologist.
5.    It is also normal to encounter common problems such as excessive ear wax – your audiologist will be able to advise you on how to deal with this effectively. However, if you experience whistling noises, ear ringing, volume oscillation or dizziness, contact your audiologist immediately, as your device could be in need of adjusting.

For free guidance on how to use your hearing aid, or to find out more about our free batteries for life scheme, visit our website or call us on 1800 818 808.

The post Learning How to Use Your Hearing Aid appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

Here at Hidden Hearing, we have a great range of hearing aids, including the newest digital hearing aids that can really revolutionise the clarity and range you can access when you have hearing loss. The first step if you have concerns about your hearing is to make an appointment for a free hearing test so that our expert audiologists can assess the extent of your hearing loss and explore solutions with you.

Surprising Facts About New Hearing Aids:

The newest digital hearing aids on the market come with a wealth of functions as standard and you may be surprised by the additional ways in which you can use your new device. Here are some advantages to digital hearing technology that you may not have considered:

1. They offer a personal hearing experience. The way in which humans perceive sounds is dependent on our brains, rather than our ears. New digital hearing aids, such as the Oticon Alta2, are designed to work with your individual sound perception to create a great hearing experience that’s as unique as you are.
2. They can be invisible. Many people put off seeking help when they experience hearing loss because they are worried about the social stigma of wearing hearing aids. Hearing aid technology today is tiny and highly sensitive, so that some devices sit entirely inside the ear canal  and cannot be seen at all, while others are indistinguishable from Bluetooth headsets.
3. They offer extra functions. Most modern hearing aids will be compatible with wireless technology and Bluetooth, and many models can be used in conjunction with mobile phones and mp3 players to create a personal and highly sophisticated listening or communication experience.
4. They’re stylish. Far from their bulky ancestors, new hearing aids are designed to be sleek and discreet and come in a range of colours and designs. There are many exciting designs available for everyone, including children and fashion conscious adults, and they are being defined as wearable technology rather than medical assistance devices.

Try Invisible Hearing Aids at Hidden Hearing

Ireland’s leading private provider of hearing care solutions is Hidden Hearing, with a national network of over seventy-five branches and clinics. You can make an appointment for a free hearing test and talk to our audiologists about any problems you are experiencing with your hearing. We have a fantastic range of the newest digital hearing aids for you to try, including invisible hearing aids that no one will know you are wearing.

Contact Hidden Hearing online today, or pop into your local branch.

The post Sophisticated Digital Hearing Aids: Hearing Solutions for You appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

The Hidden Hearing Blog is the Bronze Winner at the Blog Awards Ireland 2015

The competition was stiff but we came third on the Best Health and Wellbeing Blog – Company at the Blog Awards Ireland 2015. We will be wearing our bronze medal with pride! We are very grateful for the nomination and above all we are very grateful to everyone who has visited the Hidden Hearing blog over the last few years.

Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to vote for us: 30% of the overall vote was accounted for by the public, with the remaining 70% being determined by a panel of judges, and we really appreciate the support. Our blog covers a wide range of hearing healthcare topics from tinnitus and ear wax removal to hearing aids and and the effects that hearing loss can have on day to day life and we are thrilled to receive this recognition of the site.

A huge thanks to everyone who voted for us, it really is appreciated.

Do you have concerns about your hearing? Hidden Hearing can help. Ring us free at 1 800 818 808, or check out our updated website today for more information on Ireland’s most trusted hearing care provider.

The post Blog Awards Ireland 2015 appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.