Leightons Talking Points (Summer 2018)

INSIDE Essential insight New technology Meet the team and much more...

Summer 2018

THE LATEST NEWS ON HEARING AND EYE CARE AT LEIGHTONS

Join the rechargeable revolution.

Care tailored to you

Welcome to the latest edition of our magazine, bringing you all the news and insight from the Leightons Hearing and Optical teams. In this issue, you'll find some expert analysis and tips to help you get the most out of life this summer.

inside the new issue of

We hope you enjoy this edition, and we look forward to seeing you in a branch again soon.

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message

Ryan

FROM

A

s I write this, the South

looking at how our expert

which hearing loss can impact not

East has just basked in

audiologists will support you every

only your life, but the lives of those

the warmest May Day

step of the way from the minute

around you.

Bank Holiday on record. With winter

you walk in the door. You would

finally a distant memory, we wanted

never expect to receive “one size

to celebrate summer in this issue of

fits all” prescription glasses, and our

Talking Points, looking at everything

perfectly tailored advanced hearing

you need to help you make the most

aid technology is no different.

We always love hearing your thoughts on Talking Points, so please let us know what you think the next time you’re in your local branch. Happy reading!

of the sunshine: from the incredible view through Maui Jim sunglasses

As well as exploring one customer’s

to the sheer holiday convenience of

experience in moving from the NHS

rechargeable hearing aids, Leightons has

to Leightons’ own expert hearing

a solution tailored to you.

service, we also look at ways in which you can safeguard your vision on those much hoped-for hot

With bespoke care in mind,

sunny days. What’s more, we give

we take you on a guided tour of

you the inside track on coping with

a personalised hearing journey,

tinnitus and look at the ways in

Ryan Leighton, CEO

LEIGHTONS |

talking points 3

3 — TYMPANOMETRY Moving further into your ear, this tests the movement of your eardrum and assesses the health of your middle ear.

4 — PURE TONE AUDIOMETRY This is the classic “hearing test” that measures the quietest thing you can hear, from low to very high pitches (0.25 – 8kHz) — just like reading the lines of letters in an eye examination.

8 — ALL ABOUT AFTERCARE Our care doesn’t stop after the fitting — all our hearing aids come with unlimited aftercare, so we’re there whenever you need, for as long as you need. We recommend regular follow-ups in the first few weeks to help fine-tune your aids as you adjust to wearing them.

Once you’re totally comfortable with your tailored technology, we’ll sit down with you every six months to check your aids, your ears and whether there are any changes in your hearing. Your audiologist will never stop listening and will always make sure your hearing is helping you live your life to the full.

4 LEIGHTONS | talking points

5 — SPEECH TESTING Problems hearing loved ones speaking quietly, or in noisy environments, can be one of the most psychologically isolating symptoms of a hearing loss.

This test helps the audiologist to understand the difficulties so they can be addressed.

HEAR NOW, PAY LATER To help you spread the cost of your aids, ask about our Hear Now, Pay Later plan.

It’s interest-free and means you simply pay a 30% deposit now, then spread the rest into several easy instalments.

Although it’s a perfectly natural part of life, accepting that you’re beginning to have difficulties with your hearing isn’t always easy. However, once you have, you begin a journey to help you manage any hearing loss. Our expert audiologists are with you every step of the way, making sure you can continue to live your life to the full.

1 — ALL ABOUT YOU In order to provide perfectly tailored care, we have to start with you!

Your audiologist will discuss your lifestyle and hobbies, any hearing concerns (including tinnitus), ear-related history and general health, listening to any individual requirements you may have. It’s generally recommended to bring a friend or family member to help with this and support you, as a familiar voice in the assessment.

As this is the beginning of a 90 minute appointment, you’ll get all the time you need.

2 — OTOSCOPY After getting to know you, your audiologist will look inside your ear with an otoscope, which allows them to see the health of the ear up to the eardrum and check for any blockages (such as ear wax).

6 — RESULTS AND SOLUTIONS We’ll draw all these threads together, including your history, to determine the best tailored hearing solution for you. If a hearing loss is detected, we’ll be able to help you find the best hearing aids to suit your needs — all our audiologists have access to the world’s most advanced hearing aids, including rechargeable and invisible options, which they will demonstrate in the appointment.

7 — HEARING AID FITTING No hearing aid will work for you straight out of the box. Just like your glasses will need precisely measured lenses, your hearing aid must be expertly adjusted to give you the very best listening experience tailored to your needs. This bespoke fitting is usually a second appointment after your initial assessment.

LEIGHTONS |

talking points 5

your vision SAFEGUARD

summer

this

S

ummer is here and we can all bask in the glorious sunshine (and then run for cover when the rain arrives). We all think we know the dangers of the sun’s rays — slapping on sun lotion is almost second-nature — but few of us realise the damage sunlight could be doing to our eyes.

The best way to protect your eyes Sunglasses are much more than just a fashion accessory. Whether non-prescription or prescription they’re vital for protecting your eyes from UVA and UVB, helping to slow or even prevent the development of eye conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration.

When choosing your sunglasses, make sure they are rated

The sun is both vast and vastly far away: in fact, it takes

to block at least 95% of UV rays. Also, don’t think it’s safe

nearly eight and a half minutes for the sun’s rays to reach

on overcast days — 90% of UV rays penetrate cloud.

earth. Despite our distance from the sun, its light is still powerful, delivering light that is visible and invisible, harmless and harmful.

Be my sunshine

Look out for dry eye When out in dry or windy weather, if your eyes start feeling red, sore or watery, you might be suffering from dry eye. Some of the symptoms include redness, itchy eyes,

Alongside visible light and invisible infrared rays,

the sensation of having something in your eye or watery

the sun blasts us with three varieties of ultraviolet light:

eyes. All our optometrists can diagnose dry eye and discuss

UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC is mostly absorbed by the

your symptoms and how best to treat it.

earth’s atmosphere before it reaches us, but we need to take steps to protect both our skin and eyes from UVA and UVB rays.

Here to protect your eyes If you’re looking for a stylish pair of sunglasses that also keep your eyes safe from UV rays, drop into your

UVA is harmful if our eyes or skin are exposed for too long. UVB is important for Vitamin D formation (and gives us a nice tan), so a little is ok. But too much causes sunburn.

6 LEIGHTONS | talking points

local Leightons. Plus, if you think you would benefit from a dry eye assessment, just call us on 0800 40 20 20.

ringing ears?

IN YOUR

There are a number of conditions associated with hearing loss and one we hear about most frequently is tinnitus

Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing a sound for which

Perhaps you've heard about ‘sound enrichment therapy’.

there is no external source. This is often a ringing,

This is simply avoiding silence and surrounding

buzzing or hissing noise. It is often very temporary, due

yourself with sounds that help you ignore your tinnitus.

to exposure to a loud noise or having recently attended

An enhancement to this is to use advanced hearing aid

a music concert; however, it can be more persistent and

technology. We have a range of hearing aids with tinnitus

rather bothersome.

relief systems. These give you the option to play soothing

A common misconception is that ‘there is nothing you can do to help’. However, while there may not be any out and out cure for tinnitus, there is a lot you can do.

We've helped to provide long-term relief for countless cases of tinnitus and we will be able to offer you plenty of advice on how to cope and make life that bit easier.

sounds in the background to help provide relief from tinnitus and enable you to listen to the more important sounds in your life.

If you would like to explore these options, please contact us on 0800 40 20 20 to book your FREE tinnitus consultation.

JOIN MYLEIGHTONS TODAY FOR 10% OFF ALL HEARING AIDS www.leightons.co.uk/myleightons

We’re dedicated to helping you get the most out of life. With all the latest products from pioneering brands, we have everything you need to look great, feel great and be ready for anything.

HOLIDAY MUST HAVES

Whether you’re jetting off on your summer break or taking a long weekend away, make sure you have these summer essentials to look after your eyes and ears.

1 — Stay in the shade Keeping you looking good while protecting your eyes, Maui Jim sunglasses use advanced technology to reduce 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, whilst eliminating 99.9% of glare from above, below and behind each lens.

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2 — Take charge Never again will you miss a conversation after forgetting to replace your batteries. With a wide range of rechargeable hearing aids from top manufacturers including Oticon, Phonak and Unitron, we'll find the right fit for you.

The Oticon OpnTM offers convenient overnight charging, along with adaptors for most holiday destinations.

2

Forgot to charge your hearing aids? Don’t worry, you can also use traditional batteries — simply pick up a set at your local Leightons branch before your holiday.

3 — Make a splash With a pair of custom-fit swimming ear plugs, you can enjoy your dip in the pool or ocean, safe in the knowledge that your ears are protected.

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8 LEIGHTONS | talking points

ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS With better weather on its way and a host of outdoor activities to enjoy, these will help you make the most of those long sunny days and warm evenings.

1 — Try contact lenses

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Bringing freedom to your everyday life, contact lenses keep on improving and becoming more comfortable and easy to wear. Why not pop into your local Leightons branch and ask for a free trial?

2 — Go invisible

2

Today's innovative hearing aids are easier to wear and less intrusive than ever. The smallest aids are so tiny that the people around you won't even know they're there.

But don't be fooled by their small size — they’re still packed with power.

3 — Get the perfect prescription To protect your eyes and look great always, check out our prescription sunglasses. We stock a wide choice of frames from all the leading brands, and we'll custom fit the perfect lenses to suit your prescription.

3

4 — Be protected To prevent noise-induced hearing loss, it's important to protect your ears when you’re out and about. We offer custom-fit ear plugs that are ideal for any situation or lifestyle, whether you’re a motorcyclist, musician or work with loud machinery. Come and talk to our expert audiologists.

4

At Leightons we stock a wide range of hearing accessories from all the top manufacturers. To find out more about how we can make life easier and more enjoyable for you and the people around you, simply give us a call on 0800 40 20 20 and speak to your local Leightons branch.

LEIGHTONS |

talking points 9

NHS to LEIGHTONS:

difference?

WHAT’S THE

D

avid Brodley has previously used NHS hearing aids, and is now a hearing customer at Leightons Egham. He shares his experiences with the different services and describes how his personalised care from Leightons has helped him get back to being part of the conversation.

“I’ve suffered with hearing problems for about forty years, and during that time I’ve had many different NHS hearing aids. I felt that with the service provided by the NHS, although adequate, I was just a number in a very long list.

The devices I had could not cope with all the sound that

The actual hearing aids I now wear, Oticon Opns TM, are a great improvement over those from the NHS, and Rachid was even able to tailor the frequency response to my actual hearing requirements.

“The service provided by Leightons was so different to that of the NHS — it was tailored to me and not the many.”

I’ve had my Leightons hearing aids for several weeks now, and during that time Rachid has given his full and undivided attention to finding the best possible solution to my personal hearing requirements.

came from all directions in a noisy environment. This made for a frustrating time when I went out for dinner, with the

I’m delighted with my new hearing aids and so thankful

clattering of china, clinking of glasses and many individual

that I’m able to finally be part of the company I keep

conversations around the table — it made it all very

instead of sitting struggling to follow what’s being said".

difficult to follow.

Rachid Id Bihi said, "Mr Brodley had been struggling

Recently I realised a colleague had a similar hearing

to join in with conversations in situations with loud

problem, and although he used his hearing aids all the

background noise. Although he already had hearing

time, he didn’t experience the same problems as me when

aids, they weren’t proving successful in these more

in difficult environments. It came to light that he obtained

difficult environments. I introduced him to our advanced

his aids not from the NHS but from a private provider,

hearing technology and explained how it would allow

and so I was introduced to Leightons.

him to hear speech clearly even in the most challenging environments. During the fitting, I fine-tuned his new

I attended a talk on hearing loss given by Rachid Id Bihi, one of the Leightons audiology team, and after considering everything he spoke about, decided to take advantage of a

Oticon Opns TM hearing aids to ensure listening effort and speech understanding were optimised for all environments, making conversations effortless."

free hearing test at Leightons’ Egham branch.

The service provided by Leightons was so different to that of the NHS — it was tailored to me and not the many.

Rachid’s expertise and attention to my individual needs was the solution I was searching for.

HERE TO HELP Book your FREE hearing assessment with your local Leightons audiologist today. Simply call us on 0800 40 20 20 or book your appointment online at www.leightons.co.uk

Brain teasers

We not only like to look after you eyes and ears, but your brain as well.

CROSSWORD ACROSS

DOWN

7 Provided with protective covering (8)

1 Quivered (8)

8 Speck (4) 9 Gather (5) 10 Boat race (7) 12 Type of variable electrical control (6) 13 Embarrass (5) 15 Stimulus (3) 16 Expiry (5) 18 Yield post (6) 20 Wool fat (7) 23 Crowbar (5) 25 Hardens (4) 26 Pertaining to a school (8)

SUDOKU

Fill in the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1– 9

2 Israeli intelligence agency (6) 3 Illustrative craft (3) 4 Verge (4) 5 Largest desert (6) 6 Wood (4) 11 Mischievous (4) 13 Relating to aircraft (4) 14 Sanitary (8) 17 Excite (6) 19 Scandinavian kingdom (6) 21 Second son of Adam and Eve (4) 22 Formerly Mesopotamia (4) 24 Grass (3)

WORD LINKS Each set of 3 words is linked or completed by a missing word.

(Hint, the number of letters in the word is at the end of each set)

LINE. PACK. PLAY. 4 BREAD. OVER. BANK. 4 FORE. YARD. PIT. 3 FOOT. GRADUATE. GO. 5 The answers to these brain teasers will be published in the next issue of Talking Points, but if you can't wait, you can find the answers online or in your local Leightons branch.

LEIGHTONS |

talking points 11

hearing life BETTER

for a BETTER

Hearing loss not only impacts your life, but also those people around you.

Find out how it works, and how you can get the help you need.

How hearing works

How to get help

When you hear sounds, it's the result of a complex process.

The first step is communication. Although it can be a

The sound waves travel through your ear and into your

sensitive subject to talk about, and a decision that many

cochlea, where they are transformed into electrical signals

people are often reluctant to take, speaking to an expert

which then travel up the neural pathways and into your

audiologist is the only way to begin the process of

brain for processing.

improving your hearing, your quality of life, and that of

When things go wrong If you have a hearing loss or a blockage in your ear, the pressure on these pathways is increased, putting strain on your brain and making it harder to understand what’s going on around you. This increase in listening effort can make you feel tired, isolated and depressed, and if left unchecked over time, can even lead to cognitive decline, developing dementias and Alzheimer's.

How hearing loss affects people

the people around you.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a hearing loss, booking a FREE hearing assessment at Leightons will provide the insight you need. Your audiologist will focus on those areas where you think you might be struggling, whether that's dealing with tinnitus or hearing properly in situations with loud background noise. They will then be able to suggest the best course of action.

The benefits of hearing aids

Many research studies have shown that hearing loss affects

If your audiologist recommends that you require hearing

quality of life by leading to feelings of isolation. It's also

aids, you will soon notice the benefits in all kinds of ways.

well known that people with hearing loss tend to avoid

Hearing aids can improve your speech recognition and

social situations, especially those where background

understanding, so that you can follow conversations more

noise is likely to be a problem. This social withdrawal

easily. They can also help with organising and orientating

can sometimes lead to depression. It's also clear that

sounds in noisy environments, helping you become more

suffering from hearing loss doesn’t just affect the person

engaged in social activities. All these factors can improve

in question — it impacts the people around them too.

your energy levels, making you feel less tired and isolated from the world around you.

12 LEIGHTONS | talking points

The hearing aid revolution

BOOK YOUR FREE ASSESSMENT

Good hearing care is not just about making sounds

If you think that you or someone you know might be suffering from a hearing loss, don't delay. Simply give us a call on 0800 40 20 20 or book an appointment online at www.leightons.co.uk.

louder, it’s about helping your brain to make sense of those sounds, and preventing any further problems occurring. Some of the most advanced new hearing aids, such as the Oticon Opn™, uses Brainhearing™ technology which can provide you with a 20% reduction in listening effort and 30% better speech understanding in complex noise environments. This can help improve your cognitive function and help you become part of the conversations that matter.

“Good hearing care is not just about making sounds louder, it’s about helping your brain to make sense of those sounds.”

At Leightons we stock a variety of hearing aids and our audiologists will be able to recommend the perfect pair to suit you and your lifestyle. New technology is constantly delivering revolutionary new hearing solutions, such as 'invisible' and rechargeable hearing aids, that are now available.

LEIGHTONS |

talking points 13

new Leightons WHO'S at

Meet the newest recruits to our team.

Camilla Jordan Trainee Hearing Aid Dispenser

Amanda Deveney BSc RHAD Clinical Audiologist

Camilla is currently completing her final months of

After graduating from the University of Southampton

training to become a Hearing Aid Dispenser. Camilla began

in 2015, Amanda spent three years working as a clinical

her career working in a private practice on Harley Street

scientist for the NHS. During this time, Amanda developed

for three years, before then moving on to work for both

valuable clinical expertise and gained patient-focused

the NHS and private practices. This broad range of

experience whilst working in adult rehabilitation, tinnitus

experience helped her to build her knowledge and work

therapy and assisting the ENT department.

on her degree.

“As I was born with a hearing impairment, I experienced

“I joined the Leightons team because I believe that their

the benefits of truly personalised hearing care first-hand.

patient-centred approach to care and individualised

It is the importance of continuity in someone's care that

service is what separates them from everyone else. I have

led me to Leightons. Working with Leightons is enjoyable

the ability to improve a patient’s everyday life by utilising

as I have the time to ensure all my patients’ needs are

the very best in hearing technology. The latest innovations

met to the best of my ability. Leightons also gives me the

see an exciting introduction of rechargeable hearing aids,

opportunity to work with and offer a wide variety of top

which means less time worrying about single use batteries

end hearing aid technology.

and more time focusing on hearing what matters to them.

In my spare time, I enjoy playing netball competitively

Outside of work, a lot of my time is spent studying for my

for two district teams, as well as walking my two dogs.

exams. However, I do enjoy exercising when I have time

I also have a passion for travelling and have been lucky

and going on too many shopping trips!”

enough to have visited Asia and Australia.”

14 LEIGHTONS | talking points

S T Y LE S H OWN : WI LD COA ST

YOUR PRESCRIPTION. RISK FREE TRIAL.

Try Maui Jim polarized prescription sunglasses.

‘Love Them or Return Them’ for a full refund within 60 days.* *Terms and Conditions apply (see store for details)

TO SEE. TO HEAR. TO LIVE…

B RAN C H E S

Peace of mind included

ADDLESTONE

LEWES (Spectrum Eyecare)

ALTON

MARLOW (Leightons Insight)

ANDOVER

POOLE (Leightons & Tempany)

BASINGSTOKE

PUTNEY

CAMBERLEY

READING

CHANDLERS FORD

SOUTHAMPTON

CIRENCESTER

ST. ALBANS

At Leightons, our care doesn’t stop the minute you walk out the door. We’re here 6 days a week, 52 weeks of the year, so if you need some advice, or you want to talk something over, we’re always here to listen.

COBHAM

SUTTON

EGHAM

SWINDON

EPSOM

TADLEY

FAREHAM

THATCHAM

FARNHAM

TOTTON

For total peace of mind, we provide a 60 day 100% money back guarantee.

All our next generation digital hearing aids come with a 3–5 year warranty and 3–5 years of free batteries.

FLEET

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

HASLEMERE

WINCHESTER

HAYWARDS HEATH

WINDSOR (Leightons Eye Windsor)

HEMPSTEAD VALLEY

WOKINGHAM

We understand that hearing aids can be a big investment. To help you spread the cost, ask about our Hear Now, Pay Later plan. Simply pay a 30% deposit and spread the rest into easy-to-pay instalments, interest free.

HOVE (The Eyecare Centre)

WOODLEY

LEADENHALL STREET

FREEPHONE 0800 40 20 20

FREE HEARING ASSESSMENT Good hearing starts with regular hearing health checks

www.leightons.co.uk