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CELEBRATE LIFE'S SOUNDS: Embracing the Joys of Special Occasions
Ealing Hearing Centre • August 15, 2023
As an audiologist, I have the privilege of helping people to hear better and enjoy the sounds of life. One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is seeing how hearing aids can transform the way people experience special occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, and holidays.
Special occasions are often filled with laughter, music, speeches and conversations. They are opportunities to connect with our loved ones, share our emotion and create lasting memories. However, for people with hearing loss, these events can also be challenging, frustrating and isolating. They may struggle to hear what is being said, miss out on jokes or stories, feel overwhelmed by background noise, or avoid socialising altogether.
That's why I always encourage my patients to embrace the joys of special occasions and not let hearing loss stop them from celebrating life's sounds. Here are some tips that I share with them to help them make the most of these events:
- Plan ahead: If you know you are going to attend a special occasion, make sure your hearing aids are working properly and have fresh batteries (unless they are rechargeable). You can also contact the host or venue and ask about the acoustics, seating arrangements and availability of assistive listening devices or captioning services. This way, you can prepare yourself for the environment and request any accommodations you may need.
- Choose your seat wisely: When you arrive at the event, try to find a seat that is close to the main speaker or source of sound and away from any loudspeakers, windows, or doors. This will help you hear more clearly and reduce the interference of background noise. You can also sit next to someone who can fill you in on anything you may miss or misunderstand.
- Use your hearing aids' features: Most modern hearing aids have features that can help you adapt to different listening situations. For example, you can use directional microphones to focus on the sound in front of you, noise reduction to minimise unwanted sounds, or telecoil to connect to a loop system. You can also use Bluetooth to stream sound directly from your smartphone, tablet, or TV to your hearing aids. These features can enhance your hearing experience and make it easier for you to follow along.
- Communicate your needs: Don't be afraid to let others know that you have hearing loss and what they can do to help you hear better. For example, you can ask them to speak clearly and slowly, face you when they talk, repeat or rephrase anything you don't catch, or write down important information. You can also use gestures, facial expressions, and body language to support your communication. Most people are happy to accommodate your needs if you are polite and respectful.
- Take breaks: Listening with hearing loss can be exhausting, especially in noisy or crowded environments. It's important to take breaks from time to time and give yourself a chance to rest and recharge. You can find a quiet spot where you can relax, meditate, or read. You can also use earplugs or headphones to block out any unwanted sounds. Taking breaks can help you prevent fatigue and stress and improve your mood and concentration.
- Have fun: Last but not least, remember to have fun and enjoy yourself. Special occasions are meant to be celebrated and cherished. Don't let hearing loss stop you from participating in the activities you love, expressing your feelings and making new friends. Hearing aids can help you hear better, but they can't do all the work for you. You also need a positive attitude, a sense of humour and a willingness to try new things. With these qualities, you can celebrate life's sounds and embrace the joys of special occasions.
Contact us today to book your hearing test or ear wax removal.
February is the month of love, and there’s no better time to show yourself some love by prioritising your hearing health. At Ealing Hearing, we believe that good hearing is a vital part of living your best life – whether it’s enjoying meaningful conversations, listening to your favourite music, or experiencing the world around you. It’s easy to take your hearing for granted, but just like your heart or your eyes, it needs attention and care to stay in top shape. Why You Should Love Your Hearing Your hearing health plays a significant role in your overall well-being. Studies show that untreated hearing loss can lead to feelings of isolation, frustration, and even depression. Yet, many people wait years before seeking help. Don't wait for your hearing to get worse – taking care of it early on can make a huge difference to your quality of life. The Benefits of Early Intervention By having a hearing check-up now, you can catch any potential problems before they get worse. Early intervention can improve communication, reduce the risk of cognitive decline, and enhance your emotional well-being. Hearing aids and other solutions can dramatically improve your ability to engage with loved ones, take part in social activities, and stay active in your community. We are a tribal species so it’s vital to keep in contact with others for optimum health! At Ealing Hearing, we offer professional assessments, and a range of solutions tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for hearing aids, advice on how to protect your hearing, or simply want to learn more about your hearing health, we are here to help. Take Action This February This February, give yourself the gift of better hearing. It’s simple – book an appointment with Ealing Hearing Centre today and discover how we can help you hear the world around you more clearly. Our family-run, experienced team are dedicated to providing you with the best care, personalised to your hearing needs. Don’t wait – your hearing deserves love too! Call us today to schedule your consultation. Alternatively, you can book an appointment by emailing us or visiting our website for more information (LINK) Hearing well, living well – show your ears some love this February.
Have you ever experienced a constant ringing in your ears while you're out at a concert venue? Everything sounds muffled; you talk loudly, practically shouting at your friends because you can't understand them. You know this isn't normal—it's temporary hearing damage. Is it possible to enjoy loud music at a concert or club without experiencing some hearing loss? Yes, you can have fun at your favourite club or venue and still protect your hearing! Here are a few simple tips to help keep your hearing safe while having fun. Carry Reusable Earplugs Reusable earplugs are they're designed so they muffle sounds for clubbers and musicians. They're generally pretty inexpensive, and they make the loud atmosphere safer for your ears without stopping you from hearing the music. If you're attending a music festival or an event with fireworks, you can also purchase ear defenders for your children. Get Away From Speakers Don't stay close to booming speakers. Remember that they're the primary source of loud noises. Dancing too close puts you at risk of suffering permanent hearing damage. Avoid standing directly in front of loud instruments or amplifiers for the same reason. Take Regular Breaks If you're planning to stay in a noisy club or arena for a long time, take regular breaks. This will give your ears a much-needed break. Take advantage of chillout zones which are usually available at concert venues. The zones will provide your ears with a little respite from the booming noise. If there are no chillout zones, plan to leave the venue at specific intervals or even swing by the restroom and take a break. Avoid Shouting If you’re in a loud club atmosphere, don’t add to the noise by shouting. Instead, speak slowly as you usually do. This is healthy for your ears, and it's also beneficial for others' hearing. Allow Recovery Time After being in a loud environment for a long time, give your ears sufficient time to recover. Stay away from a noisy environment for a minimum of 18 hours. If you have to remain in a loud atmosphere for extended periods, make sure you have your earplugs ready! Exercise Regularly Did you know that regular exercise is excellent for our hearing? Yup! taking regular aerobic exercise significantly increases blood flow to the ear. In turn, this helps to reduce hearing loss. If you're planning on going to a weekend concert, maybe it's time to start running a few weeks before. Know the Setlist Improve your concert experience by researching the setlist before the performance. You can email the concert venue and ask. That way, you can anticipate songs scheduled to come up next. That way, you know when to take a break or when that extra loud song is coming on. Get in touch with Sid, Sukhina and the team to find out more
You may not think that hearing aids have accessories available. Guess what? There are so many to choose from! Hearing aids have all kinds of bits and bobs to go with them; let’s explore some hearing accessories. Hearing Aid Accessories TV Streaming Devices People suffering from hearing loss often turn up the TV until they can hear it. The problem is that the volume they find comfortable is way too loud for people who don’t have hearing troubles. So instead of constantly dealing with the volume being too quiet or too loud, make it so everyone can be comfortable. TV streaming systems allow each person with hearing aids to set the volume for themselves. Most systems have a pretty good range too. You do not have to sit right in front of the TV all the time. You can walk away for a bit and still keep your hearing aids connected. Wireless Transmitting Microphone Sometimes hearing aids need a boost to give people the best hearing experience. Wireless microphones help send audio directly to a person’s hearing aids and reduce background noise. These devices are beneficial in areas with a lot of background noise, such as: ● Restaurants or Cafés ● Small group conversations ● One-on-one conversations ● Class lectures ● Outdoor and indoor activities ● Watching TV ● Phone calls ● Audio/voice from the computer, radio, or other devices Alarm Clocks Hearing aid accessory companies have developed alarm clocks for the hearing impaired. Instead of worrying about getting up on time, your alarm clock can do more than ring in the morning. With Bluetooth connectivity, if you sleep with your hearing aids, such as in-the-ear and in-the-canal hearing aids, you can hear your alarm in real-time. If you don’t sleep with your hearing aids, you can get alarm clocks features that have vibrations, sounds, and lights. The multiple variations of nose and light will help reach through the sleepy fuzz to wake you up. Accessories to Fit Your Life There are all kinds of accessories for hearing aids. Some of the accessories work in connection with your hearing aid to help it perform better. Other products do their best to improve the life of your hearing aid. In addition, other accessories use light and vibration to alert you. Hearing aids are not the bulky things they used to be. There has been many technological advancements, and there will continue to be more breakthroughs making your life more enjoyable. Please get in touch so we can tell you more!
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Ealing Hearing Centre
64 Northfield Avenue
Ealing
W13 9RR
Ealing Hearing Centre is a trading name of Sidhu Hearing Solutions Ltd a company registered in England and Wales with company number 13649263.