The sound of change: Bellbird Hearing
One in six New Zealanders is affected by hearing loss, and many do not seek help. March is World Hearing Awareness Month, so the time to break the stigma is now.
This year’s theme to increase awareness – “Changing mindsets: empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all,” promotes the importance of taking charge of hearing health. Helping you with the first leap towards better ear care is Bellbird Hearing.
From hearing aid fittings to ear wax removal, Bellbird Hearing offers a raft of services through its clinics in Christchurch and Timaru. Sessions begin by discussing your hearing concerns with the clinic’s experts, before determining potential treatment options. “Hearing is such an important sense. It’s vital for communication,” says audiologist Melissa Babbage.
An independently owned healthcare provider with a leading team across audiologists, ear nurses, and administration, Bellbird Hearing’s comprehensive hearing tests set them apart from other clinics nationwide.
“Our team is remarkable at troubleshooting and helping clients if they are experiencing issues,” audiologist Caroline Smales states. If clients need a simple fix, Caroline explains the team can often assist immediately – no appointment required.
The team customises solutions to suit each client through hearing tests which include speech and noise testing, meaning the answer is just around the corner.
Melissa highlights that, unfortunately, many New Zealanders are still hesitant to seek support for their hearing health. “Stigma can be a barrier for some individuals,” she explains.
Despite this, hearing technologies continue to advance, offering incredible improvements in quality of life. While there is still a common association between ageing and hearing decline, these technological advancements make it easier than ever to address and manage hearing health, encouraging a more positive outlook for the future.
Bellbird Hearing is passionate about getting behind local initiatives, doing presentations at different organisations to spread hearing awareness. “We want people to know that support is right here,” Melissa explains. That’s not all – building trusted relationships is another cornerstone. Giving honest, expert advice about the various treatments and outcomes, appointments are never rushed – instead making clients feel comfortable and trusting in their hearing care professional.
Meet the team who find value and satisfaction in helping people hear better. Book in at the Christchurch 03 351 1172 or Timaru 03 683 1545 clinic today.
