Recycle here!

An innovative idea being put into practice in our Galashiels shop has an environmental theme. In the UK only about three to five per cent of all household batteries are recycled. Most old batteries end up in landfill, where they can leak harmful chemicals into the soil.

House of Hearing are offering a free clean and check of hearing aids to anyone who brings in their hearing aid batteries for recycling. This invitation is open to any hearing aid user including NHS patients and those with aids purchased elsewhere.

Hearing aids are designed to be precision instruments, and they need a certain amount of basic attention in order for them to perform at their best.

A little care given to your hearing instrument will allow you to get the best possible service out of your device, make it work efficiently and ensure that you prolong the natural life of the aid.

The whole job has been made so much easier by the introduction of this new maintenance offer and we welcome anyone coming in with their hearing aid to take advantage of a free clean and check.

Our hearing aid audiologists will be happy to advise you about the importance of looking after your hearing aid and will be available to talk through any questions on general hearing aid maintenance.

Breakthrough towards hearing loss drug

Researchers at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, have discovered a drug that repairs hearing after damage caused by loud noise.

Until now, exposure to loud noise has led to permanent hearing loss. However, the researchers have shown that if treated with a compound called ‘ADAC’ after noise damage, hearing recovered substantially. The scientists found that a five day treatment of daily injections starting six hours after noise exposure were most effective. Single treatments were less effective but also resulted in some hearing recovery. The drug is thought to work by increasing the sensory hair cell’s ability to break down the damaging waste products, which build up during noise exposure.

This study presents the most effective pharmacological strategy to date for reducing noise-induced hearing loss after exposure to damaging noise. If clinical trials prove successful, this research could mean that, in future, people who are exposed to loud noise and risk damage could be administered a drug to stop the hearing loss becoming permanent.

Hearing Aid Top Tip!

Don’t leave your hearing aids on a windowsill in a bathroom or kitchen – condensation will readily form on the instrument and may cause it to become faulty.

Moisture can be a real problem for most hearing devices as the tiny microphones and receivers (loudspeakers) are susceptible to moisture ingression and when damp, will not function correctly, if at all. In addition, battery contacts can corrode, causing intermittent or complete malfunction.

Always keep your hearing instruments in their case when not in use and regularly use a proprietary silica gel drying agent. We always have these available at House of Hearing.

Take That Hear the World

Take That is helping to raise awareness about the importance of hearing and the consequences of hearing loss. Following the return of Robbie Williams, the hugely successful pop group are the latest names to support Hear the World, a global initiative launched by hearing system manufacturer Phonak, joining stars like Jude Law, Elle Macpherson, Annie Lennox, Sting and Peter Gabriel.

“Hearing is something that we rely on every day, even more so being musicians. To lend our support to this campaign is something we are really proud of and are grateful for a chance to play a part in raising awareness of the issue of hearing loss”, Robbie Williams says on behalf of the band.

Hear the World is now one of the world’s largest celebrity supported health campaign currently more than forty high-profile musicians, actors and models from across the globe helping raise awareness for a problem which affects over 800 million people worldwide.

More than 16 percent of the world's population have hearing loss with experts predicting this will to increase to 1.1 billion by 2015. In the UK an estimated 8.5 million people are affected by the condition and struggle for up to 15 years before seeking advice. Studies have shown that this has a significantly negative effect on a person's social, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Phonak set up the Hear the World foundation, a non-profit organisation that is committed to improve the quality of life and promote equal opportunities for people with hearing loss globally. To achieve this, the foundation provides financial funds, hearing aids and assistive listening technology. For more information visit www.hear-the-world.com.

Christmas battery offer!

With the Christmas season now upon us, we at the House of Hearing are delighted to extend our goodwill to all customers. Our incredibly popular battery offer returns once again this year, with a twelve pack of batteries on offer during December for £4.00 (normally £6.00).

Eat healthily, hear better

You may not have thought that food and hearing loss treatment could belong in the same sentence, but good nutrition has been shown to reduce incidents of hearing loss or to slow down the loss of hearing associated with age. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that if you eat two servings of fish (and those fried fish things at the fast food place don't count), you lower the risk of experiencing hearing loss by 42% if you're 50-years-old or older.

Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, a well-studied nutrient that delivers a range of health benefits including a reduction in hearing loss. Other studies have shown that certain micronutrients – vitamins, minerals and compounds – can also lessen the likelihood of hearing loss related to age, called presbycusis. A report released in 2007 showed that folic acid delayed presbycusis in the lower frequency ranges when 728 men and women between the ages of 50 and 70 consumed increased amounts of folic acid. Folic acid is found in green leaf vegetables, like broccoli, lettuce and kale. Another study recommends eating more beta carotene to prevent premature hearing loss. This micronutrient is found in orange and yellow vegetables like carrots, yellow beans and other colorful fruits and vegetables.

Remember the old saying: you are what you eat so eat better foods and hear better longer!

Ear MOT week in Galashiels

House of Hearing are the Borders only permanent hearing aid centre and have been based at 51 Bank Street, Galashiels for nearly five years. The company specialise in providing digital hearing aid solutions customised for the particular needs of each individual client and have very recently received international recognition for their efforts. Stephen Fairfield & Shona Jackson, the two resident hearing aid audiologists in the Galashiels branch, have both received commendations in the European Audiologist of the Year Competition. These awards, organised by multi-national battery manufacturer Rayovac, are designed to highlight best practice and exceptional customer care in the industry, and this is the first time that two Scottish audiologists have been included in the shortlist.

By way of celebration, House of Hearing are holding a special “Ear MOT” week. From Monday 25th October to Tuesday 2nd November the company will host an event that gives clients, old and new, the opportunity to have their ears checked over and their hearing aids cleaned and serviced. During the week of the event this will all be provided free of charge, along with a complimentary packet of hearing aid batteries.

Stephen Fairfield, House of Hearing’s managing director is delighted to be able to offer this additional service. “House of Hearing is well known throughout the hearing aid industry as providing the highest levels of service and customer care. For Shona and I to be awarded the Rayovac commendations is really the icing on the cake. As part of our celebration, and as part of our ongoing commitment to this end, I am thrilled to be able to offer this Ear MOT week to our clients throughout the Scottish Borders”, he commented.

“Since we established our centre in Galashiels, the business has grown steadily, despite the difficult economic conditions over the past couple of years. We now have satellite centres in both Peebles and Hawick. We also offer a full home-visit service for those unable to travel into any of our three Borders outlets. Although Edinburgh-based for over forty years, we have always had strong connections with the Borders and we understand the needs and perspectives of those with hearing problems throughout the region.”

“Hearing loss is an increasingly common issue. A recent survey published by the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) found that almost a quarter of people over 55 missed out on social activities because they had a hearing loss that could be addressed if they saw a hearing professional. But hearing is not just an age-related issue. In a separate survey, the RNID found that 75% of people under 55 experience some difficulty in hearing. “


“These figures are increasing over time, but the good news is that digital technology is always advancing and the solutions available today are streets ahead of what we could provide even five years ago. But don’t take my word for it. Why not pop in and hear for yourself? To book an appointment contact Shona Jackson in our Galashiels office on 01896 755474.”