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.”

The sooner, the better

It is a well-known fact that hearing loss is the third most common health condition behind arthritis and hypertension. We also know that tiny hairs inside the ear that help us hear become damaged and die as we age. For most people, losing hearing is a matter of "when," not "if.” The process is gradual, progressive and quite insidious; some experts say it can start as early as in our 40s when most are healthy and active but may not realise that their hearing has already started to diminish. Just like our joints and muscles, the use-it or lose-it principle applies to our hearing. Understanding hearing loss and treatment options, such as hearing aids, can assure you don't lose it before it is too late.

As you are reading this, one in three people over 65 are suffering from hearing loss but hearing loss affects all age groups. In fact, even though hearing loss is widely perceived as
affecting predominantly older people, the Better Hearing Institute says that 65% of the hearing-impaired are younger than 65. Undetected and untreated hearing loss can diminish your quality of life by making it difficult to communicate and interact with people around you – be it at work or in family and social situations.

So don't wait until you have to cup your ear to hear people around you. Have your hearing checked – and, if needed, treated with some of today's sophisticated digital hearing aids – as soon as you finish reading this article!

Scottish Sinfonia Fringe concert 2010

House of Hearing are proud to sponsor the Scottish Sinfonia in their 40th anniversary season. Their annual Edinburgh Festival Fringe Concert will include music from Mozart and Strauss, and takes place this year at Greyfriars Kirk, on Sunday 29 August.

Tickets from The Fringe Box Office and the Queen's Hall Box Office, priced £12.

In product news, Siemens have introduced the next generation of Motion, Life and Pure hearing systems. The new instrument range is built around BestSound Technology, which includes three new state-of-the-art technologies offering better hearing, improved sound comfort and increased individuality for the wearer.

New to the portfolio is the Pure Special Edition (SE), an especially discreet receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) device. its teardrop shape makes it almost invisible and it is available in two styles: 'Grace' and 'Spirit', giving it a modern and timeless look.

Don't hesitate to make an appointment if you would like to try one out!

Read the signs

Hearing loss is often gradual and not immediately noticed by the person affected. Sometimes friends or family will notice a person's hearing problems before he or she recognises it. For instance, family members may complain that the person listens to the television or radio too loud or asks them to repeat what they've just said. Or, that the person with hearing loss doesn't answer the telephone or doorbell because they didn't hear it ringing. Although each person may experience symptoms of hearing loss differently, some of the most common symptoms may include:

• Inability to hear people clearly and fully. People may seem to mumble and those experiencing hearing loss may not hear all parts of a conversation. For instance, someone with hearing loss may miss the essence of a story or punch line of a joke that someone just told
• Frequent requests for clarification
• Tendency to stare at people when they are talking in order to make it easier to understand what they are saying
• Fatigue at the end of the day from straining to hear
• Avoidance of social situations because of difficulty in following conversations in noisy environments
• Tendency to bluff when not hearing someone because of the fear of asking them to repeat themselves

If any of these signs are familiar then the next course of action should be to have a full diagnostic hearing assessment to establish the cause and potential remedial action.

Going loopy at the Festival

As many of you will know, House of Hearing have branches in the Borders and Fife, as well as our main office in Edinburgh. Recently our Galashiels branch was asked to become involved with the Borders Book Festival and I am delighted to say that we have been able to support the festival with the provision of loop systems for hearing aid wearers at several venues. The event takes place from 17-20 June and attracts excellent speakers from the UK and beyond. I would encourage you to attend. For more information look at the website, or contact 0844 357 1060.