Will Salmon 27/11/2015 Will Salmon 27/11/2015

Update on hearing aid batteries now mercury free

As of the 1st October 2015 hearing aid batteries are now mercury free. Find out what you need to know on our blog entry.

As of the 1st October 2015 the hearing care industry has adopted a move to Mercury Free battery solutions in line with the European Directive to help reduce polluting the environment.

What you need to know

Hearing aid battery manufacturers now only supply mercury free batteries
We have now started to supply mercury free batteries to you
Mercury free batteries can be used in all hearing aids
Running time for mercury free batteries is the same as standard batteries
Any batteries containing mercury can be used until they have run out.

Click the link to find out more about hearing aid batteries.

Will Salmon 25/11/2015 Will Salmon 25/11/2015

Hearing Aids Reduce Risk of Cognitive Decline

New study shows hearing aids can reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Read our blog to learn more about this report from the Journal of the American Geriatric Society.

A long term study has shown that for people with a reduced hearing range, wearing hearing devices reduces the cognitive decline associated with hearing loss. A 25-year study recently published in an American journal compared the path of cognitive decline among older adults who were using hearing devices and those who were not. The study found that those people who would have benefited from hearing devices, but did not wear them, were more likely to score lower on a well-established cognitive function exam conducted during the 25-year follow-up period.

The study shows the importance of looking after your hearing and making sure that it is the best it can possibly be. At Key to Hearing we recommend annual hearing evaluations so you have evidence if and when your hearing range changes. Without this proof it can often be difficult to notice when you are missing out on the sounds you used to hear.

References

[Oticon]: First Study to Show Hearing Aids Reduce Risk of Cognitive Decline: [http://www.oticon.com/about/press/2015/pressrelease-reduce-risk-of-cognitive-decline]

Will Salmon 14/07/2015 Will Salmon 14/07/2015

How you can benefit from a telecoil in your hearing aid

Find out what a telecoil is and how you can benefit from having one in your hearing aid. Learn how a telecoil works and where you can use this feature.

The telecoil is a really useful hearing aid feature that is often overlooked by many wearers. In this article we’ll look at what it is and how you can benefit from its use.

What is telecoil?

A telecoil is a small metal wire coiled around a metal rod located inside a hearing aid. It acts as an antenna picking up magnetic signals and turning them into sounds streamed through your hearing aids.

Internal mechanisms of a Widex behind the ear hearing aid with telecoil

How does it work?

The telecoil works as a receiver picking up signals from a loop system that acts as an electromagnetic field. If the telecoil feature has been activated on your hearing aids they will convert the electromagnetic field into a sound signal. Only the sound from the loop system’s microphone is amplified and background noise is minimised.

Do I have telecoil in my hearing aids?

Many behind-the-ear style hearing aids are fitted with telecoil. If your hearing aid has a T-switch or telecoil program then you will be able to activate the feature. Some in the canal hearing aids do not have telecoil due to their small size. Ask your hearing aid dispenser or audiologist if you are not sure.

How can it help me?

If you are at a place where a loop system is installed then the telecoil feature of your hearing aids will stream spoken word directly into your ears whilst minimising background noise. For example at a place of worship you should be able to hear their voice of the speaker directly into your ears meaning you’re seating distance from the speaker will have little or no impact on how clearly you hear them.

Where can I use it?

You can use the telecoil feature wherever a loop system has been installed and activated. They can be found at: -

Places of Worship
Concert Halls and Theatres
Taxi Cabs (London)
Guided Tours – Museums, Buses
Counters – Banks, Libraries, Stations, Airports and Shops

If you see the below symbol this should signify a loop system has been installed.

Telecoil Loop System Symbol

Who can I seek for assistance?

If you are interested in hearing devices then contact your hearing aid professional to find out more. If you are local to Bournemouth then contact us to find out how you can benefit from a telecoil.

References

Sheehan, Jay: Understanding Hearing Loops: [http://www.audiologyonline.com/articles/understanding-hearing-loops-794]: [Dec 5, 2001]

[Unattributed]: What is a telecoil?: [http://blog.widex.com/post/83699151141/telecoil]: [Apr 24 2014]

Will Salmon 10/04/2015 Will Salmon 10/04/2015

Protect your hearing aids from moisture

Using a drying bag or beaker with a drying capsule can help keep your hearing aid free from moisture and ensure your hearing aid remains in peak working condition. Find out more.

As hearing aids are worn on and/or in our ears moisture cannot be completely avoided. However it is very important to keep your hearing aids dry to make sure they continue to work properly. A clever way to do this is to use a drying pot/bag and drying capsules.

To use: -

Add a drying capsule to the reusable drying pot/bag.
Place your hearing aid/s in the drying pot/bag without the batteries and leave the battery door/s open as this allows moisture to escape more easily.
Ensure you close the lid of the drying pot or seal down the bag and leave overnight.
In the morning your hearing aids will be ready to wear.

Keeping your hearing aids dry helps to prolong their lifespan and ensures they remain in the best working condition. Bags, pots and capsules are available from us. Contact us today or click the link to find out more about batteries and consumables.