Supply and Fitting of Hearing Aids

We supply a variety of brands and styles of hearing aids and ensure that we keep up to date with the latest hearing aid trends and best practice fitting methods. As per our ethical guidelines, stipulated by the Health Professionals Council of South Africa, we do not have any specific alliances or contracts with any hearing aid manufacturers. Hearing aids are selected based on the specific hearing and lifestyle needs of each individual patient during detailed consultation with an audiologist. This way the patient is able to make an informed decision whilst having realistic expectations of the hearing aid.

Over and above the usual daily or weekly cleaning rituals performed by its wearer, the hearing aid needs to be sent in to the relevant manufacturer at least once a year for servicing. This ensures that all the mechanisms are working to specification. Additionally, if something happens to the hearing aid and it is no longer working properly, it needs to be sent in for repairs. We keep consumable parts in stock for those small fixes and we ensure that in the case of larger problems, the hearing aids get sent away and returned safely. All hearing aids that are returned to us after servicing or repair undergo a listening check from one of our audiologists prior to collection by the patient.

Also known as Aural Rehabilitation, Hearing Therapy is aimed at optimizing a person’s participation in activities that have been limited because of their hearing loss. It is aimed at lessening the difficulties associated with hearing loss and minimizing its consequences. This is achieved through various approaches including:

• Counselling and Coping Strategies for Hearing Loss
• Communication Strategies Training
• Auditory Training
• Speech-reading Training
• Telephone Training
• Auditory Processing Difficulties

Tinnitus management focuses on minimizing the effect that tinnitus has on a patient by utilizing the most appropriate approach for the individual’s needs. This can include informational counselling, sound therapy, or referral for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

After a vestibular assessment sessions or a home program of balance and dizziness preventing exercises may be prescribed. These usually involve a mixture of habituation and stimulation techniques aimed at stabilising or improving balance function.

Another service that we offer is a fall prevention service, which would allow us to advise you on how best to make your home safe for you through minor environmental changes.

Noise-induced hearing loss is preventable by using ear protection. A person working in a noisy environment (miners, factory workers, musicians and construction workers) should make use of ear protection to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. Hearing protection is available in the form of Earplugs (foam or silicone); custom-made noise plugs (moulded specifically for the individual – appointment for ear impression-taking necessary) or earmuffs.

Swim plugs are ear protection devices for water activities. They are suitable for children who suffer from chronic ear infections or for surfers and divers wanting to prevent surfer’s ear due to water activities in cold water.

Sometimes hearing aids do not assist the wearer in every way that they expected them to. This may be due to unrealistic expectations and the limitations of hearing aid technology, but mostly it is because hearing aids battle to perform equally in all situations (particularly in noisy environments) and this may leave one a little disappointed and disillusioned. We know that hearing aids improve audibility but we also know that it’s not always enough.

ALDs are devices that help you function better in your day-to-day communication situations. They can be used with or without hearing aids, thereby reducing listening stress and fatigue.