Hearing aids offer personal advantages and contribute to better interactions with those around you. In addition to improving your communication ability, they alleviate the stress and anxiety associated with social interactions. Whether you’re considering getting a hearing aid or unsure about scheduling an appointment with an audiologist, here are some key benefits you can expect from using a hearing aid.

Enhanced Communication with Loved Ones 

Many people opt for hearing aids due to inner ear damage caused by factors like age-related deterioration or prolonged exposure to loud noises. Using a hearing aid must be considered to support the remaining nerve cells in your ear. By amplifying sound vibrations and transmitting them to the brain, a hearing aid enables surviving nerves to compensate for the loss of others, resulting in improved hearing abilities. Additionally, this amplification promotes better mental well-being.

Improved Communication Skills 

Another significant benefit of using a hearing aid is enhancing communication skills. Hearing loss often leads individuals to shy away from conversations out of fear of missing words or misunderstanding what others are saying. Engaging in meaningful discussions with friends or loved ones can be challenging if you only catch fragments of their words.

You can benefit from amplified sound by obtaining a hearing aid from a qualified audiologist, enabling more natural communication. No longer will you have to avoid social gatherings or endure the stress of struggling through a conversation. With increased confidence in your ability to hear and speak, using a hearing aid can be a life-changing experience.

Positive Impact on Mental Health 

Hearing aids have a significant positive impact on the mental health of individuals with hearing loss. By addressing these individuals’ challenges, hearing aids reduce fatigue, frustration, and emotional distress. Improved communication reduces isolation, fostering a sense of connection and belonging. Hearing aids also improve relationships, alleviate strain, and enhance sleep patterns, promoting better mental well-being. Embracing the potential of hearing aids brings hope, vitality, and joy, positively impacting overall well-being and relationships.

Enhancing Communication for Your Loved Ones 

When you have hearing loss, it’s easy to assume that others don’t want to converse with you. However, in most cases, the opposite is true. By withdrawing from family gatherings due to hearing difficulties, you inadvertently create a disconnection that those around you want to overcome.

This strain on relationships can hinder what would otherwise be positive connections. A hearing aid effectively addresses this issue, improving your hearing abilities and facilitating better communication. With the support of a hearing aid, you can reclaim the meaningful conversations you once enjoyed.

In addressing hearing loss issues, Widex is a trusted and innovative brand that offers advanced solutions to improve hearing and enhance communication with loved ones. Widex hearing aids are designed with cutting-edge technology and a focus on user experience, ensuring optimal performance and comfort. 

Here’s how Widex can help address the challenges of hearing loss:

1. Superior Sound Quality: Widex hearing aids are renowned for their exceptional sound quality. Their advanced signal processing capabilities provide clear and natural sound reproduction, allowing you to experience the full richness of conversations and the world around you.
2. Customized Solutions: Widex recognizes that each individual’s hearing needs are unique. Their hearing aids are customizable, allowing for personalized fitting and programming to match your specific hearing loss profile. This tailored approach ensures you receive the optimal amplification and settings for your hearing requirements.
3. Discreet Design: Widex offers a range of hearing aids in various styles, including behind-the-ear (BTE) and receiver-in-canal (RIC) options. These devices are designed to be discreet and comfortable, blending seamlessly with your appearance while providing the necessary amplification for improved hearing.
4. Wireless Connectivity: Many Widex hearing aids come equipped with wireless connectivity features, such as Bluetooth connectivity and smartphone compatibility. This enables you to connect directly to your mobile devices, television, or other audio sources, streaming sound directly into your hearing aids for a convenient and immersive listening experience.
5. Intelligent Sound Processing: Widex hearing aids employ intelligent sound processing algorithms to adapt to different listening environments. They can automatically detect and adjust to noisy environments, reduce background noise, and focus on speech sounds, ensuring you can effortlessly follow conversations even in challenging acoustic situations.
6. Tinnitus Management: Widex also offers innovative solutions for tinnitus management. Their hearing aids can relieve tinnitus symptoms by generating soothing sounds or incorporating sound therapy programs that help distract from the perception of tinnitus, promoting a greater sense of well-being.

With Widex’s commitment to quality, innovation, and personalized care, they are dedicated to helping individuals with hearing loss regain their ability to communicate effectively and reconnect with their loved ones. By choosing Widex, you can trust in their expertise and technology to address the challenges of hearing loss and improve your overall hearing experience.

We understand the challenges of living with hearing loss, and we’re here to help you. Hearlife is dedicated to improving your hearing and quality of life. Experience the life-changing benefits of Widex hearing aids, meticulously designed with advanced technology and customized solutions. We offer hearing tests and assessments for adults, tinnitus management, hearing aids and custom ear plugs. 

Take a proactive step towards better hearing today. Find a branch near you. Contact us at 02-83959144 today to schedule a consultation, and let us guide you on your journey to rediscover the joy of clear and natural sound with Widex. You deserve to hear the world around you with clarity and confidence.

Hearing loss is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can occur gradually over time or suddenly due to ageing, exposure to loud noises, ear infections, or certain medical conditions. Often, individuals may only be aware of their hearing loss once it reaches an advanced stage. Regular hearing assessments are crucial for early detection and intervention.

Recognizing these symptoms can help you take proactive steps towards maintaining healthy hearing:

Difficulty understanding speech

One of the earliest signs of hearing loss is experiencing difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments. You may find it challenging to follow conversations, mainly when multiple people are speaking or when there is background noise. Struggling to hear and comprehend what others are saying can be frustrating and lead to social withdrawal or communication breakdowns.

Frequently asking for repetition

If you frequently ask others to repeat themselves or say “What?” or “Pardon?” during conversations, it may indicate hearing loss. Often, individuals with hearing impairment struggle to catch certain sounds or words, leading to the need for constant repetition. This can be particularly noticeable when conversing over the phone or in poor acoustics.

Turning up the volume

Do you often turn up the volume on your television, radio, or other electronic devices to higher levels than others find comfortable? Adjusting the volume excessively can signal that you are compensating for hearing loss. If your family or friends frequently comment on the loudness of your devices, it’s time to consider a hearing assessment.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus refers to the perception of ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other phantom ear sounds. While tinnitus can have various causes, it is often associated with hearing loss. If you experience persistent tinnitus, especially if accompanied by other signs of hearing impairment, such as difficulty hearing conversations, it is essential to have your hearing evaluated.

Withdrawal from social situations

Untreated hearing loss can lead to feelings of isolation and withdrawal from social activities. Struggling to hear and communicate effectively can make social interactions challenging and exhausting. If you find yourself avoiding gatherings, parties, or group conversations due to difficulties understanding others, assessing your hearing health is crucial.

Misunderstanding or misinterpreting conversations

Hearing loss can lead to miscommunication and misunderstandings. You may frequently need to be more accurate with what others say, respond inappropriately, or provide unrelated responses. These communication challenges can strain relationships, impact work performance, and diminish the overall quality of life.

Exhaustion after social interactions

If you frequently feel mentally and physically drained after social interactions, it could result from straining to hear and comprehend conversations. Individuals with untreated hearing loss often expend significant energy trying to follow discussions, leading to increased fatigue. If you regularly feel exhausted after engaging in conversations, it is advisable to schedule a hearing assessment.

Recognizing the signs that indicate you may be due for a hearing assessment is crucial for maintaining healthy hearing and overall well-being. If you experience difficulty understanding speech, frequently ask for repetition, constantly adjust the volume on electronic devices, or suffer from tinnitus, it is time to prioritize your hearing health. Similarly, withdrawal from social situations, misunderstandings during conversations, and post-interaction exhaustion are all signs that warrant a hearing assessment.

Remember, early detection and intervention are vital in managing hearing loss effectively. Consult a qualified audiologist or healthcare professional to evaluate your hearing and discuss potential treatment options. Addressing hearing loss proactively improves your quality of life, enhances communication, and maintains healthy relationships.

If you recognize any signs mentioned in this article, don’t hesitate to schedule a hearing assessment. The assessment will involve a series of tests to measure your hearing sensitivity, identify the type and severity of hearing loss, and determine the most suitable course of action. This may include hearing aids, assistive listening devices, or other interventions tailored to your needs.

Remember, hearing loss can affect individuals of all ages, so it’s essential to prioritize regular hearing assessments, regardless of age or lifestyle. Even if you don’t exhibit any signs of hearing loss, it’s still recommended to have your hearing checked periodically to detect any changes early on.

Steps to protect and preserve your hearing health

In addition to scheduling a hearing assessment, there are other steps you can take to protect and preserve your hearing health.

These include:

1. Minimizing exposure to loud noises: Limit your exposure to loud sounds or use hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs, when in noisy environments or when engaging in activities like concerts, sporting events, or operating power tools.
2. Practising good ear hygiene: Keep your ears clean and dry, and avoid inserting foreign objects into your ears that can cause damage or increase the risk of infection.
3. Managing underlying health conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, can contribute to hearing loss. Proper management of these conditions can help reduce the risk of hearing impairment.
4. Educating yourself: Stay informed about the potential risks and causes of hearing loss and the available treatments and technologies. This knowledge will empower you to make informed decisions about your hearing health.
5. Avoid using headphones or earbuds at high volumes: The potential risk can be extreme with excessive use of high volumes so take control of your your hearing health and as much as possible, lower down audio volumes while using headphones or earbuds.
6. Take breaks from loud noise if you are exposed to it for extended periods of time: Wear ear protection when you are around loud noise, such as at concerts or sporting events.
7. Get your hearing checked regularly, even if you don’t think you have a problem.

Remember, addressing hearing loss promptly can significantly improve your quality of life and overall well-being. By recognizing the signs that indicate you may be due for a hearing assessment and taking proactive steps, you are prioritizing your hearing health and investing in a better future.

Take the first step today and schedule a hearing assessment with a qualified professional. Your hearing is precious, and by preserving it, you can continue to engage in meaningful conversations, enjoy the sounds of life, and maintain healthy relationships for years to come.

Hearing loss is a permanent condition that can’t be undone. That’s why hearing protection should be your new best friend.

You’re rushing through the street and you pass a loud construction site. You notice that the workers are all wearing earmuffs – that’s because hearing protection is essential for those workers in order to avoid hearing loss or tinnitus.

There are two things that most commonly cause hearing loss: ageing and noise. Chances are that you won’t find the fountain of youth anytime soon, so there’s not much you can do about ageing (but when you do start to lose your hearing because of ageing, it’s a good idea to see a hearing care professional to improve your hearing). Noise, however – that’s where you can actually do something to avoid damaging your hearing.

Noise affects your hearing – but where’s the limit?

Every day you’re exposed to sound that qualifies as noise – even if you don’t really notice it. At school or work, in traffic, mowing your lawn – or even hearing the neighbour’s dog barking – that could be noise. It all depends on the volume, but that’s not so easy to predict.

A normal conversation is at 60 dB on average. A jet plane at take-off can reach as high as 140 dB. The trouble is when the sound that’s too loud goes on for a long time or happens repeatedly for a long time.

Many countries have enacted regulations about the noise limits that workers are allowed to be exposed to during a working day – to protect workers from getting any kind of hearing reduction or impairment because of the work environment. Usually the noise level cannot exceed 85 dB.

If you don’t work in a noisy environment, situations you should pay special attention to include going to concerts, watching fireworks that are close by, flying, or listening to music or podcasts with earphones at too high a volume.

What happens when noise affects my hearing?

The ear is a complex organ, full of important sensory cells that help us hear and help the brain interpret sound. If the sensory cells experience the sound as too loud, they may be damaged – or simply die. The problem is that there’s no way to revive them. And that may mean permanent hearing damage.

DID YOU KNOW?
Even the slightest, unnoticeable rise in decibels can have a huge effect on your hearing. A three-decibel rise in volume could double the risk of damage to your ears.

How do I protect my hearing?

Some of the time you can’t be prepared for noise – traffic or road work may surprise you. Other times, you’ll know that you’re going to take in a lot of noise. Like when you’re planning to go to a concert, getting ready for those New Year’s fireworks or going to mow the lawn. These are the times when you should take good care to protect your hearing.

Hearing protection comes in different forms, but, most of the time, simple earplugs will keep the damaging noise at bay. If your ears are sensitive to earplugs, you could try noise-cancelling headphones or earmuffs. They’re bigger, but they are also pretty comfortable. If possible, you should also consider taking breaks from all the action and choosing seats (in planes or at concerts) that are not too close to the noise.

Care to learn more?

Download our free ebooklet about noise and hearing now.

CAN YOU STOP YOUR EARS RINGING BY CUTTING BACK ON CHOCOLATE AND COFFEE?

Or is that just another one of the myths about tinnitus? Listen to our new podcast series and find out.

Search the Internet, and you can find lots of advice and recommendations for dealing with tinnitus. The question is: which ones should you choose? And do any of them actually work?

Dr Pawel Jastreboff can understand the confusion. In his opinion, the Internet is overwhelmed with information – and misinformation. “There’s a lot of myths on the internet, and numerous people with a cure for tinnitus,” he says. So what can you do about it?

Learning to cope

There are several ways to tackle it. One approach that has achieved good results was developed by Dr Jastreboff himself. It’s called Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) and is a process of learning to cope with your tinnitus on a conscious and subconscious level.

He likens it to the sound of raindrops falling on a roof. At first, you notice it. Then, after a while, your attention moves to something else and you forget about it. This is what he calls habituation.

How it starts

Tinnitus generally starts with exposure to loud noise. From then on, it’s hard to understand and just as difficult to cure. “The brain does have a plan for loud noise and music. But, for some unfortunate people, these mechanisms don’t work. They become the chronic tinnitus patients,”  Dr Jastreboff explains. “Transient tinnitus is when the ringing comes and goes. To understand it, we have to travel deep into the brain.”

Tune in to Listen up!

Millions of people all over the world suffer from tinnitus. If you’d like to learn more about the condition and how to treat it, tune into the Widex podcast Listen up!