Rugby, earworms and Bluetooth trouble-shooting tips

Posted Wednesday November 1, 2023

I’m not sure about you, but I was glued to the seat and have hardly any fingernails left! Congratulations to the South Africans on taking home the Webb Ellis Cup.

Just recently I attended a webinar hosted by Professor Frank Lin of John Hopkins University (US) about the effects of hearing and cognitive function. He was reporting on a three-year study looking at the effects of hearing aid use. Not surprisingly, the researchers were able to conclude that wearing hearing aids had a positive effect on brain function in older adults. They also went on to say that hearing aid use, paired with increased social networking and connectedness, and increased brain function, would help with issues of aging, such as fall prevention. Just another reminder for those out there with hearing aids to wear them, ideally more than six hours each day!

Over the next few weeks our clinical team has several upskilling workshops to attend, including a specialised workshop for Lyric – the amazing invisible device, worn deeply and continuously in the ear for 8 to 10 weeks. Those seeking a hassle-free product can get some fantastic results, but being a tiny off-the-shelf, disposable hearing aid there are many tricks to fitting it. We’re also having a get-away training day in Naseby to bring our whole clinical team together for some general upskilling and fun — so if you call into the clinic and can’t see your audiologist or ear nurse, they could be at one of our development workshops!

To finish this year we’re working closely with GN Beltone, one of our key suppliers, to offer some great savings on their tech-leading product portfolio. Our clinical team are loving the tiny Beltone receiver-in-the-ear rechargeable devices, and Beltone also offer a rechargeable in-the-ear option along with products in all price points, so there are some great tech options even in their entry-to-mid-range products. If you’re thinking of getting some hearing aids, or updating your older set, now’s a good time to explore your options before the Christmas rush — gosh, did I just say “Christmas”?!

This issue we talk about earworms … those annoying snippets of music that play over and over in your head and just won’t go away. Well, we’ve some handy tricks to help you shake them off. Jimmy McGeown from Oamaru tells us why he chooses Audiology South for his hearing care needs, and we share some Bluetooth troubleshooting tips.

Remember we love your feedback and ideas for future articles so don’t be shy, please email me at simon@audiologysouth.co.nz 

Happy reading everyone!