Hearing aids may be useful to many people, but there is a group for whom wearing one is not an option. These people may not feel comfortable wearing a hearing aid – they do not like its appearance or do there may be a different reason why it is not used.

Soon, there will be an investigation into hearing aid use at the University of West England. Claire Calvert, the researcher, wants to find out why some shy away from wearing an assistive device.
The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), the largest charity in the UK, estimates there are more than 9 million people with some type of hearing impairment. Of these people, only about 1.4 million wear hearing aid devices regularly. Two of the reasons for this discrepancy are the appearance of the hearing aid and the associated stigma of such devices.

These may cause a lower frequency of use and may have a negative effect on the development of school children, among others.  The study will try to find out why people who are diagnosed with hearing impairments do not wear hearing aids regularly. This information may help to give a better understanding and help to improve the needs of users.

Rolling Stone Mick Jagger and ex-wife Jerry Hall became the latest in a long line of celebrities to be photographed by singer Bryan Adams. This event created awareness for people affected with hearing loss and is part of the Hear the World campaign. Bryan Adams is the official photographer for the cause, and has also taken pictures of Michael Buble, Lindsay Lohan, Annie Lennox, Smokey Robinson, Joss Stone and Amy Winehouse.

Celebrities pose with their hand behind an ear to convey an attempt to hear.

Many of these celebrities are no strangers to helping the needy. Jerry Hall recently auctioned off her wedding dress for the Emmaus charity for the homeless.

Hear the World, a global initiative, educates people about the importance of protecting one’s hearing, the social and emotional issues of hearing loss, as well as solutions and preventative measures.

Adams is very interested in what Hear the World is trying to achieve. “As a musician, I am very sympathetic to a cause dedicated to help people appreciate the preserve and individual’s sense of sound”, he said.

Studies have shown that in the UK alone, one in seven people experience some degree of hearing loss, and how hearing loss can impact your social, emotional and physical wellbeing.

The photographs are published in the Hear the World magazine, a quarterly publications devoted to the culture of hearing. You can order a copy or subscribe to the magazine at www.hear-the-world.com.

Proceeds of the magazine goes to the Hear the World foundation, which supports charitable organizations and projects focused on helping hearing impaired people.

Hearing aids do not only help you with hearing loss, it also improves your social, emotional and physical wellbeing. In general, having a hearing aid fitted will improve the quality of your life. Following is Anne Vibeke Friis Nielsen, a 51-year-old psychotherapist from Denmark on her experience with hearing aids:

When Anne first realised she may have a problem with her hearing, she did not hesitate to have it checked out.

Anne first realised there was something wrong when her ex-husband noticed the loud volume of the television set. Anne, on the other hand, did not notice it. This observation prompted Anne to visit her nearest ear specialist, who diagnosed her with moderate hearing loss. Soon afterwards, Anne had a digital hearing aid fitted in her left ear.

Anne says her hearing loss came gradually, and believes it started with a blown eardrum during a flight 10 years earlier. However, many years passed before she realised something was amiss.

“Looking back, I remember having trouble hearing in large groups of people. More and more frequently I had to ask people to repeat what they had said. But I didn’t give it that much thought”, she said.

Anne is used to living with a physical disability — she was diagnosed with heavy myopia at birth, and later with multiple sclerosis. Living with a physical disability is nothing new to Anne, and has taught her to make the best of a bad situation.

Opting for a hearing aid was an easy decision for Anne. “If a small effort can make a big difference in my hearing, why not go for it?”

The transition has been an easy one. “I put it in my ear and that was that. After some time the sound levels in the aid were adjusted to fit my hearing. I still make adjustments from time to time”, she said.

Anne describes her hearing experience as similar to that of riding a bicycle. “You must take time to get to know your hearing aid. Once you master it you hardly notice that it’s there”.

Anne has been living with a hearing aid for more than a year now and describes it as just another part of her daily routine.

However, Anne’s hearing aid does not make the hearing problem go away, in the same way glasses do not cure bad vision,  it just improves it. But, unlike in the past, Anne now notices when her hearing loss causes communication difficulties. Unlike most hearing impaired people who can compensate for their hearing loss with their power of vision, Anne cannot as she suffers from strong nearsightedness.

“As an example, I always think about where to position myself in a room with other people”, she said. Thanks to her hearing aid, Anne is now able to hear better in large groups, and she no longer has to ask anybody to repeat themselves.

Source: www.hear-it.org

Here is something prospective customers may not have realised: audiologists are not sales people. Audiologists are trained in counseling, rehabilitation as well as hearing aid technology. Their main focus is to have patients who are aware of what implications their hearing loss have. This is second to the prospect of a sale – an informed customer is far more important. While hearing aid specialists are knowledgeable, audiologists receive a formal education. It is this specialist knowledge that sets them apart and that helps patients choose hearing devices to overcome limitations.

Hearing aids are more technologically advanced than ever and are constantly being updated and improved upon. Open fit hearing aids have made behind-the-ear hearing aids popular – the popularity of this model is surging for the first time in 25 years. Open fit hearing aids are almost invisible and they are very light. This makes them very comfortable to wear and they do not block the ear – something that many other hearing aids have done. A new technology allows the wearer to zoom the hearing aid microphones to where the sounds come from. This is especially helpful when in a car, or in any other noisy situation.

Even newer technology now allows wearers to swim or shower and still wear a hearing aid. Other users pair their hearing aids with devices such as telephones, televisions, computers and MP3 players. Hearing aids wearers, many of whom are younger than may be expected, appreciate the technology that allows them to use hearing aids every day and in all of their daily activities. Hearing aids should be adaptable. These new technologies are proof that it is possible.

The German government has been creating regulations to stop music concerts and other public events from creating too much noise. While in the past the duration of an event determined the level of noise allowed, there is now one set level for all: 135 dB. Should this level be exceeded, guests should be told about the risk to their hearing.

Earlier, events with a noise level of 95 dB had a maximum of two hours’ duration; events with a noise level of 102 dB had a one hour limitation. These days, there are new regulations and time duration is no longer a factor. This means event co-ordinators have a new role to play by informing the audience of the possibility that their hearing may be affected, either through a public address system or by handing out pamphlets at the entrance and ticket office. This should happen as soon as the noise levels reach 85 dB. When noise levels reach or exceed 95 dB, guests should have the option to wear hearing protection such as earplugs. All guests should be told about this requirement and event co-ordinators are encouraged to use loudspeaker announcements or illuminated signs in the venue.

These new regulations were introduced in November 2007 and disallows noise levels over 135 dB. This applies to concerts, night clubs, theatres, cinemas as well as any other public event.

The guidelines are advisory, but because the courts allow them, everyone should follow it. Music venue operators have to comply with the guidelines and should only use loudspeakers and sound systems that have built-in limiters to prevent noise.

The latest device available at Hidden Hearing is the Oticon Epoq, an innovative device that takes hearing care to an exciting new dimension. And if you are worried about the price, don’t be, because the Oticon Epoq is now available in an affordably priced new version, the Epoq V. This new version offers better hearing for the more budget-conscious. The Oticon Epoq boasts the same wireless connectivity as the premium Epoq XW and the mid priced Epoq W, at a fraction of the cost. At the touch of a button, the Epoq V wirelessly co-ordinates volume and programme shifts in two Epoq hearing devices. This automatically secures a baseline for a more balanced sound picture. And with 8 kHz bandwidth, sound quality, localisation, and speech understanding are also enhanced.

The Epoq V is a digital hearing aid that connects wirelessly to Bluetooth-enabled communication and entertainment devices, including landline and cell phones, radios, MP3 players, personal computers, laptops, and now, TVs as well.

Peter Sydserff, product manager for Hidden Hearing states, ‘We are delighted to be fitting our clients with Oticon Epoq. The results since introducing the product last year is literally outstanding and one more year on we now have a value version’.

Studies were conducted with 34 hearing professionals and 134 Epoq users. The Epoq earned an impressive 90% satisfaction rating based on spatial sound and wireless connectivity.

Using the latest binaural wireless processing, the Epoq offers the most advanced hearing experience. The binaural wireless processing enables a pair of Epoq hearing instruments to work as one central processing unit. This helps support the brain’s proper interpretation of various sounds in the environment, resulting in a completely natural hearing experience. This allows users to focus on sounds they want to hear, and suppress the unwanted ones.

Hearing aid audiologist Phillip Page said, ‘It is a big advantage to be able to offer a hearing system that is now proven as the best in the world. This test used the top technology from other manufacturers and shows that Hidden Hearing is once again in the position to offer an unrivalled level of product quality combined with great customer service.’

Oticon is a leader in its field, so much so, that it has won three prestigious, international awards. These awards include the Danish Product Award for its ‘world class engineering, design and craftsmanship’, the Best Innovations 2008 in the healthcare category from the American Consumer Electronics Association, and the esteemed 2008 Red Dot Award for creativity, innovations and pioneering design.

Hidden Hearing has also recently introduced Vigo Pro and Vigo, two affordable, full product families of premium performing hearing instruments. This allows budget-conscious clients to benefit from state of the art hearing technology as well.

It is the excellent combination of high end features, better sound quality, and the easy and straightforward fitting process that makes Vigo real value for money. Reports Peter Sydserff, ‘With Vigo we can now provide technologies that were precisely seen at the top of our price list’. “These fantastic new systems allow us to tackle difficult listening environments without having to opt for top of the range hearing aids, and are a great example of where Hidden Hearing offers true value for money.’

An innovative feature of the Vigo Pro is the Volume Control Learning function. This function allows the hearing aid to ‘learn’ how you prefer to use it in difficult hearing situations and environments. It will then begin to make changes before you do.

For the best hearing aid for you, visit Hidden Hearing, where a specialised hearing aid audiologist will be able to advise you on which Vigo model beat suits your needs.

Hidden Hearing has recently launched the Oticon Mini, the latest, groundbreaking hearing device from Oticon. The design of the Oticon Mini is aimed at cosmetic appeal and performance. This small device is ideal for those in search of a discreet hearing aid. It is available in a range of trendy colours to match either your skin or hair, and is almost completely invisible behind your ear.

Users of the Mini have been very pleased with the results, boasting that this latest design offer higher levels of comfort and sound clarity. This unique design allows the ear canal to be left open and the small amplifier is extremely light on the ear.

For more information on the new Oticon Mini, visit your nearest Hidden Hearing Centre and take a free hearing test. Our expert Hearing Aid Audiologist will be able to prescribe the most suited hearing device for you.

Major new research has shown that if you’ve been a smoker or are over-weight, then you may face a bigger risk of losing your hearing, especially as you get older.

So what’s good for the heart could be good for the ears. If you’re concerned about your own hearing, or that of someone close to you, you can get a full hearing check-up without charge at one of the country’s leading hearing care centres. The research was funded by RNID, the charity for deaf and hard of hearing people, and is one of the largest ever studies into risk factors for hearing loss. Over 4,000 people aged between 53 and 67 took part, involving nine audiological centres in seven European countries. For more information about RNID visit http://www.rnid.org.uk The research found that people who smoked regularly for more than one year had worse hearing than those who had never smoked, and that the more you smoke (more years or more packs per day) the greater the hearing loss. So you’re not just doing damage to your heart and lungs when you smoke, you could be damaging your hearing too. A healthier lifestyle means healthier hearing.

Why wait?

Just as people get their eyes tested and teeth checked regularly, hearing is no less important. For most people, hearing loss is just normal wear and tear and one more fact of life. The good news is that help is possible for those who choose to find it. Once you do start to lose your hearing, you can make up for the loss by using various types of hearing aid. And what you really need is lifetime care, to check and monitor your hearing regularly, so that any device you’re using to help your hearing is exactly right for you and is working correctly all the time to its maximum performance. To help people who care about their hearing and want to have a thorough check-up, Hidden Hearing has produced a free information pack that tells you everything you need to know about buying a hearing aid.

Hearing facts

• One in five people over the age of 55 has difficulty hearing.

• One in two people over the age of 65 has difficulty hearing.

• The average person with sight problems waits 3 years before seeking help.

• The average person with hearing problems waits 15 years before seeking help.

• One in 10 adults in the UK would benefit from wearing a hearing aid, but only one in 30 has one.

To get your FREE information pack and your FREE hearing check, contact us or call FREE on 0800 515 349.

With all the hype surrounding the new Oakley Thump range, manufacturers are starting to wonder if they just might be on to something. And with that comes the invention of the new and innovative Varibel hearing eyeglasses.

This new and inspired invention is ideal for people suffering from possible seeing and hearing problems. Besides the fact that it helps you with your sight and hearing, it looks stylish too. Gone are the days when you have to look old and frumpy with your bifocals or hearing aid, medical advances has just got fashionable.

You won’t get bionic hearing; instead you will get a top of the range hearing aid built into regular eyeglasses. Embedded in each spectacle arm is four tiny microphones which transmit sounds from the front and simultaneously blocks background noise.

This creates ‘directional sensitivity’, which means that the sound coming from the wearer’s gaze is amplified, while the sounds in the background are dampened. This in turn helps make conversations clearer, even in noisy environments where standard hearing aids will not do the job.

Charging this nifty little device is just as simple. There are rechargeable batteries which are hidden in the ends of the arms, so all you have to do is place the ends of the frames into a special recharging stand overnight and voila, the batteries are recharged.

This device, developed by a group of scholars at the Delft University of Technology and in partnership with Phillips, will be showcased for the first time at the upcoming SICEX 2008 in Singapore. Even though this device is still in its conception stages, soon you may be able to hear through your sunglasses. How ingenious is that?

Thanks to their extremely small size, these aids are nearly invisible to most observers. Size matters, and in this case, it means that smallness is prized. Some may also refer to these devices as Open Ear Hearing Aids. This is a new technology, and is an improvement on BTE Hearing Aids. The shell that fits around the ear tends to be smaller and the whole aid is much lighter than the older aids.

There is much research being done to improve Open Fit Hearing Aids for people with severe hearing loss. At present, those with high frequency hearing loss and normal to low frequency hearing may get the most benefit out of these aids.

A symptom of high frequency hearing loss is being able to hear, but not understand, what is being said.

These aids are lightweight and many users forget they are wearing something after just a short while. Another big difference is that standard hearing aids have an ear mould; these do not, so the wearer’s ear canal is open.

Benefits

Besides not causing occlusion, which is really just a fancy term for blockage, Open Fit Hearing Aids may not be much more expensive than regular in-the-ear or behind-the-ear hearing aids. Some users may find the automatic controls to be an advantage and the fact that they are not custom made, could make them easier to fit. This also means that the fitting time is considerably shorter because the audiologist does not need to take impressions of your ears to create the moulds.

No longer will it feel as though you are talking with one finger stuck inside your ear. And that oh so familiar sensation of hearing your own voice echo while talking, will also be eliminated with an Open Fit aid.

How do these devices differ from what else is available?

Open Fit hearing aids have digital a feedback cancellation system that eliminates the horrible howling or squealing sound that so many wearers complain of.

They do not have visible controls and function automatically.