Hearing aids

Hearing Aids

About Hearing Aids

Many people experience hearing loss. Hearing loss can cause communication problems at home, at work, and with friends. Hearing aids can be helpful for certain types of hearing loss. Hearing aids are set according to the specific hearing loss presented, an individual may need a hearing aid in one or both ears. A hearing aid is a device that amplifies sounds and improves the overall sound quality received by introducing sound closer to the hearing system. Hearing loss can be caused by many factors. The most common factors that are associated with hearing loss include:

Hearing loss can be alleviated by the use of hearing aids. Hearing loss can range in severity – from a mild hearing loss to a profound hearing loss. Hearing aids are individualized and set according to an individual’s hearing loss. Not all hearing aids are the same. They come in different styles and sizes. A hearing aid may fit completely or partly in your ear canal, sit in the outer part of your ear, or rest behind your ear. Different features are available to improve your hearing with the hearing aid. Patient specific factors are taken into consideration, a clients specific needs and goals are further considered when choosing the right hearing aid style and features. All hearing aids have:

Getting Used to Hearing Aids

It takes time to get used to hearing aids. Hearing aids can help you hear environmental sounds and communicate with others for a better quality of life. They do not cure hearing loss or return your hearing to normal.
Adjusting to wearing hearing aids and learning what to expect will be discussed explained during the fitting session. The hearing aids will be monitored on a regular basis, Questions that you may have will be answered, and any adjustments that you need will be made. We may recommend aural rehabilitation services to help you get the most out of your hearing aid. Some helpful hearing assistive technology options may also be available for use with your hearing aid.

Taking Care of Hearing Aids

We will teach you how to care for your hearing aid and to check that it is working correctly. We will demonstrate how to clean and store your hearing aid and how to check and change the batteries. You may receive some tools to care for your hearing aid, such as a battery tester, rechargeable batteries, a listening tube, and a drying container.
To keep your hearing aid working properly, it is important to

It is important to identify if children are not reaching their speech and language milestones in order to understand if a speech and language assessment is necessary. Early intervention will provide your child with stimulating exercises and activities that target specific and age appropriate language goals. Intervening early can ultimately differentiate between a language delay and a language disorder.

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Children often do not get the attention that they need being in a classroom and they therefore receive limited individual support. We assist in helping children who are struggling with articulation errors (E.g. wabbit/rabbit) as well as phonological errors (lellow/yellow) improve their overall speech. Language disorders can also occur in children, some occur with a known cause and some with no known cause. Some language disorders such as, a motor speech disorder can be treated using a specialized technique known as PROMPT, this assists the child to learn motor planning. Our therapists are PROMPT trained and are able to provide this service.

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Individuals can have many difficulties post stroke such as communicating verbally, reasoning, higher order thinking, problem solving, reading, writing etc. Speech therapy targets specific areas of difficulties and aims to alleviate these difficulties in the most patient centered and encouraging way possible. Rehabilitation and providing individuals with the skills of independence to be able to participate socially and vocationally in communities is a goal and priority of mine.

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Swallowing disorders are common in individuals who have suffered neurological damage for example, individuals who have suffered a stroke, traumatic brain injury, dementia or parkinson’s disease. Swallowing disorders can cause feeding and eating to be extremely difficult and uncomfortable.  Individuals with swallowing disorders are at severe risk for malnutrition and dehydration. Dysphagia can cause a negative experience around feeding time. This can further impact the way in which individuals feel about food and/or can cause food aversions. Speech therapy assists with alleviating these difficulties by providing swallowing rehabilitation, strengthening exercises and compensatory strategies.

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As the suck-swallow reflex only develops at 34 weeks in utero, babies born before then may have poor co-ordination, poor endurance and present with a weak suck. This results in the neonate being at a higher risk for complications during feeding times. Speech therapy will provide the caregiver with the skills necessary to perform oral-motor exercises for the neonate, aiming to strengthen the suck and improve the endurance. We also provide further support to mothers by ensuring that they have a pool of information regarding feeding as well as providing breastfeeding support and advice.

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Hearing is a vital part of communication. In children the ability to hear is critical for their development. Hearing precedes the development of speech and if a child cannot hear they will not be able to grasp language. I offer hearing assessments for individuals of all ages. The hearing assessment includes a visual inspection of the ear, testing of middle ear function as well as testing of cochlea function. This is important to identify If there may be a hearing difficulty present. Knowledge about your hearing status is vital. We are able to fit hearing, clean and repair hearing aids in the comfort of your own home.

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