Cutting edge sound: Bellbird Hearing
A common misconception is that hearing loss happens either at birth or manifests in old age. The reality is that hearing loss is a medical condition that can occur at any stage of life.
There can be many reasons for hearing loss and the sooner it is diagnosed, the better the outcome for the patient.
Audiologist Sam Sloane of locally owned Bellbird Hearing says early diagnosis enables him and his team to provide hearing solutions tailored to the client’s individual needs.
Sam has a Masters in audiology and has almost 10 years of experience working within the field.
“We provide a world-class hearing healthcare service that is community based and patient focused.”
Sam’s highly qualified team includes Ear Nurse Anna Cleary, who specialises in ear wax removal, and Administrator Jan Blair, who has worked 20 years in the hearing industry.
The clinic’s hearing services cover diagnostic tests, tinnitus assessment and hearing aid fittings, ear wax removal, ear wax management and free hearing screenings.
Sam’s expertise in the latest hearing aid technology means he understands the importance of a personalised hearing aid fitting and the difference it makes when it is done correctly.
New technology
Two interesting innovations now available at the clinic are the Beltone Imagine Microphone and Receiver-in-the-ear-canal (M & RIE) and the Phonak Lyric.
With the Beltone Imagine Microphone and Receiver-in-the-ear-canal (M & RIE), the hearing aids have one more reference point to locate and amplify speech.
Incoming sounds can be naturally shaped by the individual’s unique ear anatomy, before they enter the microphone, giving users all the benefits of the receiver-in-canal style – including rechargeability and mobile phone compatibility, but with a more natural sound quality.
The Phonak Lyric is a unique, in-the-ear (ITE) style of hearing aid, which gets placed deep in the ear canal, only millimetres from the ear drum itself.
Worn for up to three months at a time, it is easy and convenient to use. Such deep insertion eliminates that blocked, plugged-up ears feeling that can be experienced with other types of hearing aids.
Because the microphone is placed deep inside the ear canal, it takes advantage of the ear’s anatomy to help localise and boost speech in noise.
For more information on this technology or to discuss the numerous options available to enhance hearing, contact the team on 03 351 1172, or email admin@bellbirdhearing.co.nz to book a free hearing screening appointment or an $85 full diagnostic hearing assessment.
www.bellbirdhearing.co.nz
