Hearing Wales: Your questions answered

Established a decade ago in Swansea by Ben and his wife Trine, Hearing Wales was born with a vision to provide a unique hearing care experience for clients throughout Wales.  That vision was a personalised service focused on clinical excellence with unrivalled technology and techniques.

Along with making Hearing Wales Cardiff into the most advanced hearing centre in Wales, Ben is also very keen to raise awareness of the importance of understanding the impact of hearing loss and of taking the vitally important step of getting your hearing checked regularly.

Here he answers a few common hearing loss questions, but if you have any further questions about your hearing health or hearing loss, please email us and we can pass it on.

I don’t know if I have hearing loss, but my partner says I have the television up too loud and I do have to ask people to repeat themselves in conversation more than I’d like.

Hearing loss, especially age-related hearing loss can happen so gradually that it can be years before people take any steps to address it as they learn to ‘cope’ – in fact, the average person waits 10 years before getting that first hearing test!

Red flags that you may have hearing loss include having to turn the television up louder or a feeling that people are ‘mumbling’ – so if this is something you have been experiencing then it’s best to have a hearing test.

Getting your hearing loss dealt with early pays dividends in the future. In fact, the World Health Organisation is currently making it a priority to raise awareness of getting your hearing checked.

They say All people should check their hearing from time to time, especially those who are at a higher risk of hearing loss such as adults above 50 years, those working in noisy places, those listening to music at high volumes for long periods of time and those experiencing ear problems.

For one thing, early intervention can slow down the future progression of hearing loss. That’s a good enough reason to get it sorted but in addition, a raft of recent research has indicated that tackling hearing loss can help stave off dementia.

You can call Hearing Wales on Pantbach Road in Rhiwbina to book in for your free hearing test. It’s your first step to better hearing.

What happens in a hearing test? How much does it cost?

At Hearing Wales we believe a hearing test should be completely free. An Audiologist will perform a range of checks on your ear health using state of the art diagnostic audiology equipment that allows us to deliver definitive results to our clients.

We undertake comprehensive diagnostic testing of your hearing using internationally recognised Best Practice processes. The diagnostic evaluation is made up of several tests that give us the information needed to fully evaluate hearing function. With a full and clear diagnosis, we can then assess if you are suitable for hearing aids and what hearing aids will be best for you.

My ears feel blocked and my local GP surgery no longer carries out ear syringing. What do you suggest?

Earwax – or cerumen to give it its proper name- performs a vital function in protecting our ears. However, some people are prone to over-production of earwax, which causes problems including discomfort, a ‘blocked’ feeling, difficulty hearing and sometimes ringing in the ears.

Our Hearing Wales centre in Cardiff offers ear wax removal by microsuction . This is considered to be the gold standard procedure for earwax removal. It’s safer and more gentle than syringing your ears.

Many GP surgeries have stopped offering services such as earwax removal due to NHS funding pressures. If this has happened to you, please get in touch with Hearing Wales and we may be able to help you.

I already wear hearing aids but I find them annoying so I have just been trying to get by without them. Can you help me?

Hearing Wales is a family-owned company, completely independent from any manufacturer. That means we can offer our clients the full range of hearing technology from all manufacturers in models to suit your individual needs and budgets.  We don’t keep any hearing aids in stock so that we can order each and every one of our clients a bespoke hearing system according to their hearing loss, needs and budget.

One of the most important things about getting fitted with hearing aids is that you are consistent in wearing them. Otherwise your auditory system won’t get accustomed to hearing aids and you will always be in a state of getting used to them.

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If you aren’t ‘getting on’ with your hearing aids, you may want to look into changing or upgrading your hearing system. Or you may not be getting the kind of aftercare service you need. Making the most of your hearing is central to your quality of life.

If this sounds like you, pop in or call us for a chat. There is no obligation.

What about ‘hidden costs’

We are very proud of our hearing aid aftercare package at Hearing Wales so customers who are fitted with hearing technology in our Cardiff Hearing Centre will have all their care, such as check-ups, adjustments and fine-tuning included in the cost of their hearing aids.  And with many hearing aids now rechargeable, there are often no batteries to purchase either!

There is no one-size-fits-all hearing care at Hearing Wales Cardiff. Come in and meet us and find out what customer-centred hearing care really means.

Ben Davies is Senior Audiologist and Managing Director of Welsh private hearing care company Hearing Wales and has just opened a new state-of-the-art hearing centre in Rhiwbina, Cardiff.

Find out more at www.hearingwales.com

0800 313 4304

161 Pantbach Road, Cardiff CF14 1TZ