Partnership With Letsbuyhealthcare

We are delighted that Blackberry Hearing has become an approved provider with Letsbuyhealthcare covering our Audiology services.

Letsbuyhealthcare offers a unique solution allowing people to gain access to healthcare professionals while creating their personal healthcare fund. Letsbuyhealthcare provides the flexibility for individuals to purchase Healthcare coins to prepare for the cost of private healthcare.

Members can use these to purchase hearing aids or book in for our Audiology services, including Microscution Wax Removal.

You learn more by visiting their official websites: https://letsbuyhealthcare.com/

The Role of An Audiologist

The role of the Audiologist is to clinically treat persons who may be experiencing difficulties or have concerns with their hearing. An Audiologist can provide expert advice regarding Auditory disorders.

When people express concerns about their hearing, the first step is to book a consultation with a hearing care professional.

We will always recommend booking a consultation with a reputable Audiology company that employs fully Qualified Audiologists.

An Audiologist can advise you on:

• Discuss your concerns
• Provide you with Accurate information
• Test your hearing with calibrated auditory equipment
• Discusses your Audiogram and results
• Can accurately diagnose if hearing loss is present
• Provide unbiased advice
• Discuss & provide a treatment plan if needed

1: Discuss your hearing concerns

The first step of the consultation with be a friendly chat about your hearing and where you may be struggling. This information gives the Audiologist an insight into what may be causing the concern.

Below are just some of the symptoms a person may be experiencing.

• When you notice your hearing is struggling
• Any particular situations (crowds, busy environments)
• Ringing or buzzing in your ear (Tinnitus)
• Difficulties with high-pitched sounds (Hyperacusis)

2: Conduct a hearing test

The Audiologist will being by placing a pair of noise-canceling headphones over your ears to prevent any external sounds from distracting you. The Audiologist will also provide you with a button and make sure you are seated comfortably.

A series of sounds are played through the headphones that include high and low-pitched sounds. Each time a tone is heard, you press the button to indicate you have heard it. This indication is plotted on the graph of your Audiogram to record the measurement. A comprehensive hearing test normally takes around 45 minutes including an examination of the ears.

3: Discuss the results of your Audiogram

The Audiologist will diagnose and explain your Audiogram to identify if any Auditory issues are present. If the results of your Audiogram show loss is present, The Audiologist can provide you with detailed information on the type of hearing loss and why you might be experiencing these issues.

Conductive loss - hearing loss that is caused by something that obstructs the sounds getting through to the outer or middle ear.

Sensorineural Loss - hearing loss that occurs when there is a problem in the way the inner ear or hearing nerve works.

Mixed hearing loss - hearing loss that includes a mix of conductive loss & Sensorineural.

Quite often a person can experience hearing loss only in one ear. This is referred to as:

• Unilateral — this means that the hearing is normal in one ear but hearing loss is present in the other ear. Unilateral hearing loss is can occur in adults and children.
• Bilateral — this means that the hearing loss is present in both ears, Bilateral hearing loss can occur gradually over time-related (Presbycusis).

4: Discuss a treatment plan

Depending on the results of your hearing test, the Audiologist will discuss your hearing and if you are a suitable candidate for hearing aids.

The Audiolok the results of your hearing test against a decibel rating to help categorize your hearing loss.

Understanding hearing thresholds

• Normal hearing: (<25 dB) No symptoms of hearing loss
• Mild hearing loss: (26 - 40dB) Difficulty hearing in crows / noisy environments.
• Moderate hearing loss: (40 - 60 dB) Difficulty understanding conversations in a group setting.
• Severe hearing loss: (61 - 80 dB) Difficult hearing tv, people speak louder than they should.
• Profound hearing loss: (≥81) (Hearing is very challenging and tiring).

Combined with several factors including your age, hearing test, and difficulties you are experiencing the Audiologist can decide if you are a suitable candidate for hearing aids.

If the Audiologist feels that your hearing does not require a hearing aid at this time, they will provide you with a recommendation to possibly re-test your ears. If the Audiologist feels that you could benefit from hearing aids.

5: Try on hearing aids

The Audiologist will discuss the benefits of hearing aids and they could potentially benefit you.

Every hearing aid company provides a different range and styles. In some instances, a particular brand or style may benefit your hearing loss more.

The Audiologist will always encourage you to try on a variety of hearing aids so you can experience the different sound qualities and features.

For example, people suffering from Tinnitus may benefit from a Tinnitus masker being switched on. Each hearing aid can have a variety of features and quality differences.

The Widex Moment 440 offers the best-in-class sound quality, the Moment 440 uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) to learn your hearing pattern and dynamically switch from one sound environment to another.

An example of this feature would be sitting in a noisy restaurant and then moving to a quiet room. The Moment 440 uses Adaptive sound technology that tailors a program to adjust the sound levels to match the environment surrounding you, so there is no need for manual adjustment.

The purpose of a hearing aid is to improve a person's quality of life and help them communicate more easily. Our Audiologists will always provide clear, unbiased advice on your hearing.

10 tips from an Audiologist

• Ensure the person testing you have the relevant qualifications
• Bring a friend or family member to the test if it makes you feel more comfortable
• Ensure a copy of your Audiogram is available on request
• Ensure your results are explained in detail
• You should never feel pressured to purchase hearing aids
• You don’t have to pay €5,000 - €7,000 for hearing aids, high quality options are available for less
• Hearing aids are expensive, so ensure you know the returns policy
• Make sure you are made aware of the PRSI hearing aid grant & how to understand how the grant works
• Ensure your new hearing aids come with a minimum of a 4-year warranty
• Your hearing aids need to last until you qualify for your next grant
• Ensure you're follow-up appointments are free!

If you are interested in a career in Audiology, please visit our careers page.

Widex Sound Assist – ‘Swiss Army Knife For Your Hearing Aids’

What Is The Widex Sound Assist?

The all-new Widex Sound Assist is a pocket-size multifunctional wireless microphone that boosts conversation in small groups or noisy environments. A five-in-one device designed to improve communication through partner and table microphone functionality, hands-free phone calls, direct streaming from any Bluetooth device, and remote control.  

Whether it’s a one-to-one conversation, a lively dinner, or an important call, Sound Assist can help you feel more connected to the sounds that matter most to you.

What Does The Widex Sound Assist Do?

The Widex sound assist features a multidirectional microphone setting, the Sound Assist Microphone can be placed on your partner's shirt collar/lapel, or on a nearby table to hear conversations directly in your hearing aids. Featuring direct connectivity with iOS and Android devices, the Sound Assist allows wireless Widex hearing aid users to connect a Bluetooth mobile phone or tablet directly to their hearing aids for a complete and clear hands-free listening experience. The Widex Sound Assist microphone can also be used as a remote control for hearing aid volume or program settings and features a built-in telecoil mode (even if your hearing aids don’t have Telecoil) that connects to a variety of electromagnetic energy sources including a telephone, assistive listening devices, and induction loop systems.

Benefits of the Widex Sound Assist

• Partner microphone mode – One-to-one conversations with friends and family sound clear wherever you are.
• Table microphone mode – Hear important meetings, lively dinners, and group conversations more easily.
• Hands-free phone calls – Great sounding calls on the go.
• Streaming from any Bluetooth device – Send music, film, or TV audio to your hearing aids.
• Remote control for Widex Moment Bluetooth hearing aids – Control your sound, easily.
• Telecoil mode – Telecoil functionality even if your hearing aids don’t have telecoil.

Who Is The Widex Sound Assist Suitable For?

The Widex Sound Assist is compatible with Widex Moment 330 & 440.

5 Benefits of Wearing a Hearing Device

1: Enhance your current hearing

Unfortunately, hearing loss, largely, can not be reversed, a hearing device will not restore the hearing you have lost but will maximise your current hearing.

Unlike prescription eyewear which restores your vision to 20/20, hearing devices are programmed to enhance your current hearing to improve a person's quality of life.

A Qualified Audiologist can provide a full hearing test and a physical examination of the ear, allowing for a detailed diagnosis. The results of the hearing test are plotted on a graph called an Audiogram which gives a visualization of a person's ability to hear at low and high frequencies for each ear.

Your Audiologist will explain in detail what your Audiogram means and the reasons for any difficulties you may be experiencing.

The Audiogram will display:

(i) If hearing loss is present
(ii)The level of hearing loss in each ear
(iii) The type of hearing loss (Sensorineural, Conductive, Mixed) – and what this means for you going forward

Once diagnosed, a hearing device can be prescribed for your level of hearing loss. The Audiologist will program a hearing device for each ear based on your audiogram. Once programmed, most patients experience a clarity improvement in their hearing.

(i) You may hear sounds that you have previously not
(ii) You may find it easier to communicate with people
(iii)You may hear speech clearly in busy environments

2: Lower risk of cognitive decline

Seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time. Frank Lin, M.D, Ph.D. conducted a study researching the link between hearing loss and dementia.

Dr. Lin’s study highlighted that although the reason for the link between the two conditions is unknown, the investigators suggest that a common pathology may underlie both or that the strain of decoding sounds over the years may overwhelm the brains of people with hearing loss, leaving them more vulnerable to dementia. Furthermore, the University of Washington’s Department of Medicine conducted research on the link between dementia and hearing loss.

In a sample of 100 patients with dementia, 83 patients had hearing loss. Once fitted with a hearing device, a third of those patients were classified with a less severe case of dementia.

Research conducted by the Lancet Commission in 2020 cited that hearing loss might result in cognitive decline. Hearing loss is cited as one of the 12 factors related to preventing dementia from early childhood.

3: Improve communication with family and friends

Recurring hearing problems may have a negative effect on a person's quality of life. The ability to communicate accurately and freely can negatively affect their independence, well-being and confidence.

Research by Timothy Beechey observed the difference in a hearing device to participants of the study. “The provision of hearing aid amplification reduces the effort required to maintain communication in adverse conditions. This reduction in effort provides benefit to hearing-impaired individuals”.

A person's ability to hear clearly and converse with people in a social setting can also give a person great confidence. Unfortunately, people who suffer from hearing loss can feel isolated and unable to engage in conversations.

Correctly programmed hearing devices can:

• Boost a person’s confidence
• Give them independence
• Avoid feeling isolated
• Engage more in social settings
• Build better relationships with family & friends

4: Reduced auditory fatigue

When a person experiences hearing loss, they may suffer auditory fatigue. Auditory fatigue occurs when we are unable to translate a particular sound or frequency meaning the brain must work harder to process the signal. A person struggling with their hearing must work harder to hear, process and interpret the sound.

This can lead to tiredness, mental fatigue, decreased sensitivity, and discomfort. People can struggle to process conversations, focus for a prolonged period of time or distinguish sounds in a busy environment.

By seeking the help of a Qualified Audiologist to establish if hearing loss is present, hearing devices can be prescribed to assist with hearing loss. Once programmed to the exact hearing loss which in turn can reduce auditory fatigue.

5: Reduced Tinnitus symptoms

Tinnitus is the term for hearing sounds that come from inside your body, rather than from an outside source. Quite often described as a ringing, buzzing, whistling, or humming. There are several causes of Tinnitus which are often related to age-related hearing loss, compacted ear wax, Ménière's disease & otosclerosis.

A consultation with a Qualified Audiologist can provide a diagnosis and possible treatment plan. A hearing device can assist with Tinnitus as the majority of models have a Tinnitus masker built in. An Audiologist can program a hearing device to your level of loss and apply a Tinnitus masker based on your Audiogram.

Very often, wearing a hearing device set to your Audiogram (so replacing missing sounds/ tones), will have a beneficial effect on a person’s tinnitus, and may not need to use a masker, again, your Audiologist will best advise.

References:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/hearing_loss_and_dementia_linked_in_study
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30367-6/fulltext https://www.alz.org/media/documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures-2019-r.pdf https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32259454/

How To Pair Your Widex RC-DEX With Your Hearing Aids

Before the RC-DEX remote can be used, it must be matched with
the hearing aids.

This is easily done by following the below steps:

1: Insert the battery into the RC-DEX remote.

2: Make sure the RC-DEX is turned on by pushing the slider on the side up so the light flashes green.

3. Restart your hearing aids by opening and closing the hearing aid battery doors.

4. Place your hearing aids back into your ears and hold the RC-DEX remote control approximately 5cm/2in under your chin.

5. Press and hold the two volume keys (+/-) simultaneously for at least five seconds. When a beep is heard through your hearing aids the RC-DEX is matched.

6. Your RC-DEX is now ready to use!

This article was written by:

John Ryan, Co-Founder

Ear syringing Vs Microsuction – What is the difference?

When we experience a build-up of wax, we can experience several symptoms associated.

In some cases, patients can experience different symptoms from compacted wax:

• Experience loss of hearing
• Itchiness in the ear
• Fullness within the ear
• Experienced a buzzing or ringing that can be associated with Tinnitus

Traditionally, ear syringing has been a common practice performed by GPs to remove compacted ear wax. This practice involves flushing out the ear canal using water to remove the compacted wax. Quite often syringing is often referred to as ear irrigation.

With the improvements in Audiology services, Microsuction wax removal uses a small vacuum to remove the wax removing the need for water.

In this article, we explain the key differences between ear syringing Microsuction wax removal.

Ear syringing

Ear Syringing is the procedure of injecting warm water into the ear canal to loosen and flush out compacted ear wax. The A syringe is used to control the pressure and quantity of water being injected into the ear. The patient’s head is slightly tilted allowing the water and wax to flush into a collecting basin.

Ear syringing should not be performed on patients who have a perforated eardrum or grommet. It is advised that using ear drops for a number of days to help soften the compacted wax.

Consideration of ear syringing

There are some considerations regarding ear syringing. This procedure should always be performed by a medical professional.

• Otitis externa – A condition that causes inflammation of the external ear canal. Otitis externa is often referred to as “swimmers ear”.
• Syringing of the ear aggravates skin conditions such as Psoriasis.
• Perforated eardrum or grommets – Patients who have experienced a perforated eardrum.
• Vertigo – Water used in ear syringing should be body temperature (37°C), if the water is to cold or hot it can cause vertigo or dizziness.

Microsuction wax removal

Microsuction is a very safe method of removing ear wax blockages. As no water and irrigation are used, the risk of eardrum perforation, infections, or trauma to the eardrum is greatly reduced. The Audiologist can visibly see the wax and can use the suction tool to remove the compacted wax.

In some cases the Audiologist might use a small tool called a jobson horne to remove stubborn wax. microsuction is one of the safest methods to removing compacted wax which is performed by a fully qualified Audiologist.

Microsuction costs €90 for both ears. We will always advise the use of Earol 4 – 5 days before your appointment. Earol can be purchased on our online store for €10 or in your local pharmacy. Please note: If no wax is present during the appointment, a €25 fee will apply for the consultation.

Considerations of microsuction wax removal

We will always recommend consulting our team before booking in a microsuction who will conduct a short questionnaire.

• No surgery to ears.
• No infections or trauma to ears.
• No perforations he is aware of.

Microsuction is not suitable for the following conditions:

1. Perforated eardrum - microsuction wax removal is not suitable for people who have suffered a perforated ear drum.
2. Ear infections – patients suffering from an ear infection. The best practice is to wait for the ear infection to clear before commencing microsuction.

Can I buy just one hearing aid?

Can I buy just one hearing aid?

This question is frequently asked each week in Blackberry Hearing.
Yes, a person can purchase one hearing aid depending on their level of loss. In some instances, a person may experience hearing loss in only one ear while the other ear is perfectly fine. We have many patients who use only due to the level of hearing loss. It’s not uncommon for people to have different levels of loss in each ear.

The only way to distinguish the level of hearing loss is a full hearing test, and an examination is recommended.

The results of your hearing test are plotted on a graph that visually indicates the level of loss in each ear.
In the Audiogram below, there are different levels of hearing loss in each ear.

In this instance, a person only requires one hearing aid as the opposing ear does illustrate sufficient loss.

Can I still claim the PRSI grant for one hearing aid?

Yes, if you are entitled to the PRSI grant, you can claim €500 to be deducted from the price of your hearing aid. If you have any questions about the hearing aid grant, please do not hesitate to contact our team.

Are there any changes to the warranty or aftercare?

Regardless if you purchase one or two hearing aids, we offer the same 4-year warranty & aftercare service. Our Audiologists are always on hand to adjust your hearing aids and retest your hearing free of charge.

Newstalk – Ask The Expert

We were recently featured on the Pat Kenny show. Rhea provided listeners with some expert advice.

You can listen to the full podcast below. If you would like to speak to any of our Audiologists. Simply book your free consultation today.

Can excessive ear wax cause Tinnitus?

When a person experiences a ringing, buzzing, or whistling in their ear, they may be experiencing some form of Tinnitus. Tinnitus is not a condition but an actual symptom related to hearing loss.

In some cases, tinnitus can be caused by age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) or exposure to loud noises. One of the most frequent reasons for hearing loss relates to the build-up of compacted wax.

When the wax becomes compacted, it can affect your hearing in several ways. The pressure build-up from excessive wax can stimulate the nerves in your inner ear. Furthermore, if a large volume of wax becomes compacted, the wax can cause an obstruction causing some level of hearing loss.

Before removing compacted wax, the Audiologist will conduct a physical examination of your ears and speak about the sensations you are experiencing. Once the Audiologist has identified compacted wax, the process of Microsuction wax removal can begin.

The Audiologist starts the process by using removing the wax using a small suction. This suction removes the wax safely without the use of irrigation.

Will Microsuction improve my Tinnitus?

If compacted wax was the source of your tinnitus, The Audiologist starts the process by removing the wax using a small suction. If your symptoms included a feeling of fullness in your ear or pressure, most likely compacted wax has been the cause of your tinnitus.

If your tinnitus has not improved after removing the compacted and there is no visible obstructions, the Audiologist will recommend a hearing test.

If a hearing loss is detected, we then need to establish if it is outer, middle or inner ear hearing loss. Our Audiologist can advise on some possible treatments for your tinnitus for you to try.

Microsuction costs €90 for both ears. We will always advise the use of Earol 4 – 5 days before your appointment. Earol can be purchased on our online store for €10 or in your local pharmacy. Please note: If no wax is present during the appointment, a €25 fee will apply for the consultation. If you are concerned about your hearing we will always recommend a full hearing test to distinguish if you are experiencing hearing loss.

How Microsuction Works

Our Audiologist John explains how Microsuction wax removal works and completes a demonstration.

Why is your hearing aid warranty so important?

When researching and purchasing your hearing aids, it’s important to understand what your warranty covers and how your hearing aid provider can help. The warranty period can differ depending on the manufacturer, technology level, and provider you purchase. Most manufacturers offer between 2 – 4 years warranty.

It’s important to understand that your hearing aids are an investment & should last you at least 4-years at a minimum once cared for properly. We offer a full 4-year warranty on all our hearing aids including an instant replacement for any manufacturer defect across our Widex & Unitron models.

This warranty includes any defects with electric components:

• Amplifier circuitry
• Microphones
• Receivers
• Telecoils

Furthermore, our warranty covers manufacturer defects to battery doors/hearing aid casings during normal hearing aid use.

Unfortunately, damage caused by water damage, excessive cerumen contamination, or defects caused as a result of improper use are not covered.

Why do we recommend a 4-year warranty?

Quality differences and expectations:

Like cars, mobile phones, or any other product you may purchase, there are differences in the quality, performance, and durability of your hearing aids. We offer a 4-year warranty on all hearing aids we sell ensuring we stand over the quality and reliability.

PRSI grant:

Most people are entitled to the PRSI treatment grant that can reduce the cost of hearing aids by €1,000. A person can claim the grant every 4 years. When your purchase a pair of hearing aids from Blackberry Hearing, our goal is to ensure your hearing aids a minimum of 4 years until your grant becomes eligible once again.

Aftercare service:

Our 4-year aftercare service ensures you will always be taken care of while our customer. Our aftercare plan ensures that you can visit any of our Audiologists to check-in and monitor your hearing. Our team is always on hand to help with any queries you may have.

Remote care:

Our remote care service allows your hearing aids to be remotely tuned and adjusted from the comfort of your own home. All you need is a smartphone, the WIDEX REMOTE CARE app, and a WIDEX REMOTE LINK device, and our Audiologists will take care of the rest. We also provide remote care for our Unitron devices also.