Our Audiologists understand the importance of taking the time to really listen to their patients and they create an environment where open and honest communication can take place and their patients can make decisions without feeling rushed. You can trust Hidden Hearings Barry Douglas, Tony Johnson & Teodora Daneva to provide the best hearing solution for you.
At Hidden Hearing Artane we pride ourselves on excellent customer service and due to this, our branch has received some lovely words from past patients.

Don’t just take our word for it……

“Losing your hearing at the age of 36 is a pretty fearful experience in itself. A fear of not being able to communicate with other people, not being able to follow or respond to conversation properly, a fear of not being able to do my job or nothing being the same ever again and a fear of wearing aids.

 All of those fears were put to rest when I step my foot into Hidden Hearing office in Artane. The team at Hidden Hearing Artane are amazingly friendly, open and helpful. The second you cross the threshold, you’re met with a beaming smile and a warm hello. The team make a special effort to remember your name and know your background from your previous visit. It’s such a reassuring experience to know someone has your hearing concerns at heart.

 When I was first told I had to wear hearing aids, I was devastated. Openly balling my eyes out, my audiologist took the time to inform and reassure me that there were many solutions to my level of hearing loss. Knowing that I feared having to wear hearing aids, I was devastated. Knowing that I feared having to wear hearing aids, he showed me these miniature hearing aids that would sit on top of my ear with a wire that enters the ear. The irony is that four months on, I find that I tell people I wear hearing aids (despite the fact they can’t see them) because I’m not ashamed of the fact that I wear them. That In itself is a huge transformation for me and one that my audiologist helped me to undergo.

 My advice to anyone suspecting they have hearing loss is to get it check out – sooner rather than later. I really don’t understand why I didn’t get a hearing test sooner, considering I go for eye tests once a year.

 I highly recommend Hidden Hearing Artane – a friendly, supportive and knowledgeable team. From my initial consolation to the ongoing service and support that they provide, they continue to exceed my expectations. Thank you.” Fiona McLoughlin  

Unique Benefits:

• Free no obligation hearing tests
• Practical demonstrations
• hearing aid analysis
• 90 day money back guarantee
• Free batteries for the life of the aid
• 4 year warranty
• 0% finance available
• PRSI grant – up to 1,000 euro and is now available for the self employed

Free One-To-One Consultation:

Take advantage of a free, no obligation, consultation at one of our clinics in Hidden Hearing Artane you can discuss your hearing problems. Your free consultation includes a thorough ear examination using state of the art video otoscopy equipment, along with practical demonstrations of the latest hearing solutions.

Book Your Free hearing Test Today

To book your free hearing test in Hidden Hearing Artane, click here or call the branch on 012486978

The post Hidden Hearing Artane receives a glowing testimonial appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

Pictured above: Audiologist Enda Dooley & patient Shona Maguire

If you’ve never been to an audiologist before, it helps to know what to expect. And whether you know you have hearing loss or are just going for a hearing check-up, it is good to prepare a little.

To help you the best they can, the hearing care expert needs to know all about your unique hearing. So please think about the following:

• Think about what situations you find especially difficult
• Try our questionnaire to guide you in the right direction – it’s in our guide
• Bring someone with you to help contribute information that only a third person can

Once you arrive for your visit, your hearing care expert will discuss your hearing history to understand what factors have influenced your hearing. They’ll want to get more information about your personal hearing needs.

The hearing care expert will also inspect your ears for blockages or any other visible problems.

Your visit may also include a listening experience with hearing devices, to see what kinds of sounds you can hear. Your hearing care expert will explain the results to you clearly. It will then be time to develop a plan for the next steps. If you have a hearing loss, they may recommend hearing aids.

If you are fitted with new hearing aids, don’t be afraid to go back for additional follow-up visits. You might walk out after the first visit completely pleased with your purchase. For other people, getting used to wearing new hearing aids can be tough. Especially if this is your first pair of hearing aids, it can take several weeks or even months to get used to them.

About hearing loss

There are different types of hearing loss, and different levels of severity. Without going into the details too much here, it is caused either because sound cannot get to the inner ear (conductive hearing loss), or because sound is not properly sent from the inner ear to the brain (sensorineural hearing loss).

Hearing loss can be mild, moderate, severe or profound. What we call deafness is sometimes in fact ‘profound hearing loss’ – when the person suffering from it can hear very loud noises.

Tinnitus (ringing or whooshing sounds in the ears) is related to hearing loss, and often accompanies it.

Because it takes so much more effort to listen, hearing loss can be very socially isolating. It can lead to depression and can hasten the onset of dementia. With more severe hearing loss, the risk of dementia is considerably higher. Not only does it disconnect sufferers from other people, it also cuts them off from current affairs and broader cultural participation via TV, radio, theatre and so on.

So how can people with hearing loss reconnect?

Hearing aids from Hidden Hearing

Pictured above: Ashley Cunningham, Audiologist with Hidden Hearing Mayo demonstrating how small a hearing aid can be.

The level of hearing loss a person has affects the type of hearing aid they need. Typically, more mild types of hearing loss can be treated with smaller devices. However, the choice of hearing aid also depends on the size and shape of people’s ears – especially where ‘invisible’ hearing aids are concerned.

Hearing loss can affect only one ear. However, it often occurs in both. Some people choose to treat it only in one ear to save on buying one hearing aid. We don’t recommend this, because with only one working ear we lose many of our capabilities, such as the ability to determine where a sound is coming from.

Whether people need one or two hearing aids, each person’s hearing is unique – because hearing is, in fact, thinking.

We hear with our brains

Our ears are the organs we use to gather the sounds around us, but we actually hear with our brains. So if your ears are not properly picking up sounds and delivering them to your brain, your brain can have a hard time. Because the brain has to work harder to make sense of what’s going on – especially during conversations – hearing loss makes people more tired. The extra effort it takes to listen makes it measurably harder to remember things too.

Put simply: hearing is thinking.

Just as we all think in different ways, people hear in very different ways too. Your hearing is unique! So hearing aids must be tailored (fitted) to your ears.

Most hearing aids have different settings for different environments. If you are fitted with hearing aids, you will need to switch between programmes when you are in a noisy restaurant, listening to music, or having a conversation on a telephone. These programmes all need to be set by your hearing care expert.

If you are fitted with new hearing aids, don’t be afraid to go back for additional follow-up visits. You might walk out after the first visit completely pleased with your purchase. For other people, getting used to wearing new hearing aids can be tough. Especially if this is your first pair of hearing aids, it can take several weeks or even months to get used to them.

To book your free hearing test in the Republic of Ireland click here or freephone 1800 882 884.

To book your free hearing test in Northern Ireland click here or freephone  0800 587 7267.

The post Preparing for your first visit to Hidden Hearing appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

Looking after your hearing

New research shows a correlation between hearing loss and decreased cognitive function. Visiting your hearing healthcare professional could do more for you than just save your hearing; it could help prevent issues associated with brain processes. It is no secret that hearing loss has a significant impact on quality of life. Individuals with hearing loss report a higher rate of depression and greater feelings of social isolation than those without hearing loss. Other emotional issues can include anger and withdrawal.  In other words, hearing loss often precipitates poor mental health. In addition, studies have also shown that people with hearing loss run a greater risk of falls and hospitalization.

All too often, hearing loss is brushed off as just a natural part of aging. But new research in the United States, is beginning to shed new light on age-related hearing loss, and the results could be game changing. Research is showing a strong correlation between hearing loss and decreased cognitive function. Scientists at the University of Cambridge found that the difficulty in understanding speech faced by older people is not just due to problems with hearing. The study suggests that problems with cognitive skills and the way the brain processes and understands sounds have a tremendous impact on age-related difficulties in understanding speech.

Indeed, recent research shows just how important a proper hearing screening is to overall health. In January 2014, Dr. Frank Lin, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University schools of medicine and public health, released the results of a study that compared brain changes over a period of time between adults with hearing loss and those without hearing loss. The study showed that the participants with hearing loss at the beginning of the study had accelerated rates of brain atrophy compared to those with no hearing loss. Those with hearing loss also had significantly more shrinkage in certain regions of the brain, particularly the regions responsible for processing sound and speech. Simply put: those parts of the brain atrophied, just like an unused muscle would.

A deeper understanding of hearing loss, both its causes and its effects, is crucial. The hope is that individuals with age-related hearing loss could benefit from cognitive and perceptual training exercises, and thus can have an improved quality of life. That includes better physical health, better mental health, improved relationships, and the ability to continue to engage in society.

It is important to get your hearing tested if you have any concerns. Hidden Hearing provides professional hearing evaluation and hearing aids for all patients. If you have any questions about hearing loss contact Hidden Hearing on Freephone 1800 370 000. For a free hearing test or free consultation you can request online, just click here FREE TEST.

The post Visiting a hearing professional could do more for you than just save your hearing appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

If you or any member of your family have any questions about hearing loss or hearing damage contact Hidden Hearing on Freephone 1800 370 000. For a free hearing test or free consultation you can request online, just click here FREE TEST.

The post Hidden Hearing says it is time to make more noise about hearing loss! appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

Protecting your ears from continuednoise exposure and keeping ear infections at bay are fundamental. However, It may come as a surprise that there are foods you can eat to help protect and prevent hearing loss, and halt the progression of any current hearing loss. Do you know which foods are good for hearing health? Here’s a list of foods to keep in your shopping list to make sure you’re able to enjoy healthy ears.

 Omega 3 Fats and Vitamin D

The high levels of omega 3 fats and Vitamin D generally found in fish, such as salmon, tuna, trout or sardines, can have highly positive effects on hearing loss. Omega-3s, we know these fats have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and reduce inflammation; which can damage sensitive tissues, including those in our ear

Anti-oxidants and Folic Acid

A regular intake of antioxidants, especially in the form of folic acid commonly found in spinach, asparagus, beans, broccoli, eggs, liver or nuts, can reduce the risk of hearing loss by up to 20%. Antioxidants reduce the number of free radicals that swirl through your body and which can otherwise damage the nerve tissue in your inner ears. That might be because the body uses folic acid to metabolize homocysteine, an inflammatory compound that reduces circulation. Good circulation is an important component in keeping the hair cells of the inner ear healthy and working properly.                 

 Magnesium        

Magnesium, commonly found in bananas, potatoes, artichokes or broccoli, has been shown to provide additional protection against noise induced hearing loss. Low potassium levels have also been linked to poor hearing. To increase your potassium intake eat foods like apricots, bananas, lima beans, milk and raisins.

Zinc

You can increase your inner ear’s resistance to the boon of age related hearing loss by keeping a healthy dose of Zinc. This can be found in dark chocolate or oysters, among many. Zinc boosts body’s immune system and is also responsible for cell growth and healing wounds, so it’s potentially helpful in warding off germs that cause the common cold and, ultimately, those pesky ear infections. Foods rich in zinc include beef, port and dark-meat chicken, cashews, almonds, peanuts, beans, split peas, lentils, oysters – and dark chocolate!                                 

Vitamin C, E and Glutathione

Vitamin E protects blood vessels and nerves around the ear while vitamin C boosts immune function to resist ear infections. Similar to antioxidants, Vitamin C/E can keep free radicals in check and strengthen your overall immune system. The source is easy to find: vegetables (e.g. oranges) and fruits (e.g. bell peppers).

Eat Better, Prevent Hearing Loss

Most of these supplements are inexpensive and readily available. More importantly, the majority of these substances are safe to take for the vast majority of people who suffer from hearing loss. Who knew that better hearing was as close as the nearest multivitamin! If you want to learn more about our ears, or how to prevent hearing loss or need a bit advice on hearing aids, just contact us. In the meantime, eat healthy and you’ll hear better!

If you are worried about your hearing contact your local Hidden Hearing branch.  Hidden Hearing offers free hearing tests at its 60 branches nationwide. To book a free hearing test Freephone 1800 370 000 or visit http://www.hiddenhearing.ie.

The post Hidden Hearing Recommends Eating For Hearing Health appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

Legendary singer Daniel O’Donnell presented the 2013 Hidden Hearing Heroes Awards - Ireland’s annual awards to highlight the achievements and accomplishments of those who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

An all-Ireland joint initiative between Hidden Hearing and the Irish Deaf Society, the Awards honour those who are Deaf or hard of hearing and have made a significant contribution to Irish society, their community, workplace, family or through sporting excellence.

Members of the public nominated their ‘hero’ who they felt deserved to be recognised for an award. The winners included Maura Buckley, the first Deaf woman to become a qualified teacher (teaching for 32 years) and the first Deaf vice principal at St. Mary’s School for Deaf Girls, and Deaflympian footballer Stuart Foy, the most capped Deaf football player in Irish history.

Congratulating the winners, Daniel O’Donnell said: “I would like to congratulate each of our six award winners here today as they are true examples of real heroes in Irish society. Each person has shown great determination to reach their goals and they have proven that all obstacles can be overcome.  Their achievements and successes deserve to be honoured and brought to the attention of the Irish public.”

Applauding the winners, Stephen Leddy, Managing Director, Hidden Hearing said: “The ‘Hidden Hearing Heroes Awards’ is the only awards initiative to focus on the achievements of the Deaf and hard of hearing community in Ireland.  The judging panel had some extremely tough decisions to make this year, with some really high calibre nominees. All of the winners demonstrated that being Deaf or hard of hearing does not have to hold you back in life.”

Discussing the Awards, Kevin Mulqueen, Chairperson of the Irish Deaf Society said: “Over the last three years the Heroes Awards has proven an excellent platform for creating awareness about the Deaf and hard of hearing community in Ireland and of its role in Irish society.  We are delighted to be partnering with Hidden Hearing in celebrating the success and triumphs of those who are Deaf or hard of hearing.”

If you’re worried about you or your hearing contact your local Hidden Hearing branch.  Hidden Hearing offers free hearing tests at its 60 branches nationwide. To book a test Freephone 1800 370 000 or visit http://www.hiddenhearing.ie.

The post Ireland’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing ‘Heroes’ Honoured appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

While it might sound unusual, there’s probably no better gift for a dad with hearing loss.   Research has shown that untreated hearing loss leads to considerable negative, social, psychological, cognitive and health effects that go beyond hearing alone.  It can also make family time far more difficult and frustrating for your father and for the whole family.

If you suspect that your dad might have hearing loss, ask yourself the following questions:

• Does he seem to have trouble hearing on the telephone?
• Is it more difficult for him to follow conversations?
• Does he keep turning up the TV or radio?
• Does he sometimes miss a telephone ring or doorbell?
• Does he seem more irritated or tired at big family gatherings?
• Does he ask for things to be repeated or for people to stop mumbling?

If the answer to some or all of these questions is yes, why not make a free appointment with an audiologist at the local Hidden Hearing branch?  Hearing loss can be easily diagnosed and treated yet almost 30% of people suffering with hearing loss leave it more than five years to seek treatment.  Accompanying your dad to his appointment may also help make him more open to getting his hearing tested.

Hidden Hearing offers free hearing tests at its 60 branches nationwide.  To book a test Freephone 1800 370 000 or visit www.hiddenhearing.ie. We also publish a number of reference booklets if you are like the popular Body, Heart & Mind. You can apply for a copy below.

Please send me a FREE Body, Heart & Mind Booklet.

[contact-form to=’info@hiddenhearing.ie’ subject=’Fathers Day Blog – Body Heart Mind Booklet’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Address’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Phone’ type=’text’/][contact-field label=’Date Of Birth’ type=’text’/][/contact-form]

The post Father’s Day: Give Dad the Gift of Hearing appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

Weed out bad habits in the garden

Gardening is a big activity at this time of year and power tools are one of the most prevalent devices.  They’re also hazardous to hearing health.  Lawn mowers have a sound of above 90 decibels whereas a power saw can produce a sound exceeding 110 decibels.  Whatever power tools you are using be sure to wear proper ear protection when using them.

Music Matters

Summer music festivals and concert tours swing into action as the weather heats up.  That means sweet sounds but also stress of the ears.  Take precautions before you head to the venue.  These include carrying earplugs and noise-dampening headphones, as well as avoiding standing next to the loud speakers at the side of the stage.

The plane truth

Up to one in three airline passengers suffers throbbing pain in the middle ear, a dullness of hearing, or a feeling of ‘fullness’ in the ear canal on takeoff or landing. Most ear pain when flying results from changes in cabin pressure.   For a comfortable trip suck on a sweet, yawn to keep your Eustachian tube open, stay hydrated and avoid falling asleep.

Don’t let swimmer’s ear dampen your summer fun

Swimmer’s ear is a common but painful summertime ailment.  Before taking the plunge remember these simple steps: wear a swimming hat to cover your ears and make sure ear canals are clear of water after swimming, bathing and showering by drying your ears with a towel or tilting your head to each side to allow water to escape.

Be proactive about hearing health

Avail of a free hearing test at any Hidden Hearing branch nationwide.  You can book a hearing test free of charge at any of Hidden Hearing’s 60 clinics nationwide.  Freephone 1800 370 000 or www.hiddenhearing.ie

The post Summer can be harmful to hearing appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

Some people never had their hearing, as they were born deaf, but the majority had something happen along the way that took it from them. Infectious diseases like meningitis, measles, mumps and chronic ear infections, as well as head and ear injuries, and aging all can contribute to hearing loss.

But perhaps the most common cause is excessive noise. Whether it’s a one-time exposure to an intense, “impulse” sound, like gunfire, or by repeated exposure to loud sounds over time, like machinery at work, noise has the potential to rob people of their hearing.

The effects of hearing loss extend well beyond having to turn up the television. It strains a person’s ability to understand conversations, which can cause problems and misunderstandings at work and at home. Hearing loss also leads to isolation from family, friends and the environment.

“The good news is noise-induced hearing loss is preventable,” says Dolores Madden of Hidden Hearing. “So many people could be spared from it, if they just took a few easy steps.”

Step 1: Wear hearing protection

The most important step to preventing hearing loss is to wear hearing protection.

“There are many great hearing protection options, but sometimes it’s a challenge to know which to choose and how and when to wear it correctly,” says Madden. “Hearing protection is now available that is comfortable, fits well, and includes options to enhance communication – like microphones and two-way radio connections for people who need them.”

Step 2: Be mindful around the clock

Sounds louder than 85 decibels (dBA) are more common than people might think. Prolonged exposure to these high-level sounds can permanently damage your hearing, and cause ringing in the ears, along with other symptoms. Most people don’t carry decibel meters, so it’s good to know where those sound levels can occur. Some examples include:

* Attending a football game (100 to 120 dBA)

* Using a leaf blower or chainsaw (95-120 dBA)

* Riding a motorcycle (80-110 dBA)

* Using a lawn mower (82-103 dBA)

* Attending a rock concert (90-120 dBA)

* Listening to a personal music player (75-114 dBA)

* Watching a movie at the theater (72-104 dBA)

Hearing these sounds occasionally, for a limited time, isn’t a major threat to hearing. But repeated exposure to loud sounds can cause hearing damage over time. Many people – like mine workers, police officers, construction workers, farmers and others, work in noise that is 85 dBA or higher every day on the job. As a result, noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational diseases and the second most self-reported occupational illness, according to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Step 3: Reduce the volume or increase distance

Work-related noise might be unavoidable, but many times, you can be in control of the noise around you. Whenever possible, select quieter vacuums, chain saws, leaf blowers, power tools, etc. Also, be aware that the volume controls on portable entertainment devices can exceed 110 dBA – levels that may be hazardous if you listen for many hours a day. Lower the volume and limit how long you listen to them. If you aren’t able to turn down loud sounds you encounter, take a few steps back from the source of the loud sound. Even a few feet of distance between you and a loud sound can lower the decibel levels that hit you.

Anybody who might be concerned about their hearing, can avail of a free hearing test at any Hidden Hearing branch nationwide. You can book a hearing test free of charge at any of Hidden Hearing’s 60 clinics nationwide. Freephone 1800 370 000 or visit www.hiddenhearing.ie.

The post 3 steps to combat hearing loss appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.

“Too many people are losing their hearing because of noise exposure,” says Dr. Laurie Wells, an audiologist in 3M’s hearing protection business. “Noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible and costly—and not just to your pocketbook, but more importantly, to your overall well-being. Hearing loss negatively affects the most fundamental need we have as humans: the ability to communicate with each other. Evidence suggests that people who suffer from hearing loss are less social and more apt to report depression and anxiety.”

Protection Is Key

The good news is that noise-induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable. People can significantly reduce their noise exposure by wearing hearing protection, avoiding repeated exposure to loud noises, and participating in hearing loss prevention programs at work.

Anybody who might be concerned about their hearing, can avail of a free hearing test at any Hidden Hearing branch nationwide. You can book a hearing test free of charge at any of Hidden Hearing’s 60 clinics nationwide. Freephone 1800 370 000 or visit www.hiddenhearing.ie.

The post Avoid The High Cost Of Hearing Loss appeared first on The Hidden Hearing Blog.