Focus on hearing: Bellbird Hearing
On Christmas afternoon, many of us are only too ready to use the excuse of the Sovereign’s address to collapse on the couch at home.
Whether we blame that extra helping of barbecued beef, the siren song of the trifle bowl, the fizz of overexcited young ones, or another type of fizz, a cup of tea and a lie-down are often on the agenda.
There is another overlooked reason for why the day catches up with us. If our hearing is not what it used to be, the effort of the auditory focus is exhausting.
It is one thing having a quiet coffee with a friend around the kitchen table, but it is a different ball game with a room full of chattering family and friends, new toys squeaking or beeping, and Mariah Carey giving it her all through the speakers. Oh, the cacophony!
Listening hard and trying to fill in the gaps of what is being said for several hours is an ordeal, but it needn’t be.
Sam Sloane of Bellbird Hearing, recommends you take action as soon
as possible.
“We find that people take seven to 10 years to address their hearing issues,” he says. “People often state that they ‘can deal with it’ and ‘I hear what I want to hear’, but clients are thrilled once they are fitted with a hearing aid.
“Instead of dreading the prospect of socialising, our clients rediscover how much they like to be out and about.”
Age is a central factor; women over the age of 65 and men over the age of 57 can expect permanent underlying hearing loss.
“Hearing loss affects people differently. We are trained to understand the individual’s description of their hearing loss and can triage the issue and make the correct appointments,” says Sam,
“the problem can be as simple as the removal of ear wax, but that’s only a small part of the care and the service on offer.”
The atmosphere is welcoming at independent and locally owned Bellbird Hearing. Unlike corporate providers, the team is not aligned with brands of hearing technology. They are not owned by a hearing aid manufacturer. If the need for a hearing aid is indicated, the company carries an extensive range of hearing aid technology from every brand.
“Ring us to organise a consultation. We take the time to properly assess your hearing and get to know you as an individual. You can trial some hearing aids if needed,” says Sam. “Recent breakthroughs in hearing technology include water proof hearings; zero-delay sound technology; 24/7 use hearing aids. They are far better at boosting speech above noise as well.”
Visit the Bellbird Hearing team at
240 Ilam Road or call 03 351 1172.
