THCP Observatory the Opticians Talking Points 2020

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Holistic hearing health Communicating for success Digital Eye Strain and much more...

THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE HEARING CARE PARTNERSHIP 0800 52 00 546 | THCP.CO.UK

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elcome to Talking Points which gives you the latest news, expert analysis and tips from our team.

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

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message FROM

JONATHAN

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e at Observatory are delighted to present the latest edition of Talking Points, our joint magazine with The Hearing Care Partnership.

With our shared values of patient-centred care, we are proud to provide the highest quality of care and clinical excellence to everyone who walks through the door. Our hearing services include free hearing assessments, the latest in digital hearing aid technology, ear wax removal and much more.

We take care of both yours ears and your eyes, so we’ve also included an in-depth look into the causes and symptoms of a very common eye condition, Digital Eye Strain. Plus, we’ve included the latest information on UV and how to keep your eyes protected all year round.

In this issue, we explore the communication network and how to manage communicating in a range of settings. We have also examined the impact that untreated hearing loss can have on an individual’s social life and included some health tips to keep you and your hearing healthy.

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

Jonathan Foreman FBDO Managing Director

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Hear more.

See more.

Do more.

For longer.

We’re living longer — but how can we keep ourselves in tip-top condition as we grow old? Here’s our guide to healthy ageing.

— What is healthy ageing?

The World Health Organization defines it as “the ability to grow, learn and make decisions, to stay active. To be and do what you value throughout your life.”

While we may notice changes in our vision, it can be harder to detect – or come to terms with – the changes in our hearing. That’s because hearing changes slowly over time.

Amazingly, 42% of people over 50 have a hearing loss. By 70 years old, it’s 70%2 .

Different things affect our ability to age well, including our genes, our lifestyle, our location and our relationships with friends and family.

It’s true that some of the choices we make in early life can alter the course of our later life, like how much we exercised and what we ate. But it’s never too late to make a positive change.

You may not notice changes in your hearing yourself.

Instead, those closest to you will likely spot the signs first.

So what are the warning signs of hearing loss? l You might start watching TV at a volume that is louder than usual.

— Staying connected

l You might find it harder to hear what’s being said when there’s lots of background noise (for example in a busy café, restaurant, or meeting). This can lead to you withdrawing from conversations as you struggle to hear.

Our eyes and ears are essential to healthy ageing. That’s because our hearing and vision are central to maintaining active social lives, helping prevent loneliness and isolation.

If unaddressed, social isolation can lead to an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia in our later years.

l You need to concentrate more to understand certain voices (especially soft or low ones). l You find it challenging to hear over the phone.

Did you know?

1/6

people in the UK have a hearing problem1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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Holt-Lunstad J, TB, Layton JB. 2015 Davis et al, 2009.

ONS — 2014 National Centre for Health Statistics 2010 (29%) http://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare/england Booth, Frank W et al, 2012 Amieva et al, 2018

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— The true dangers of social isolation

— Balance and preventing falls

Hearing is key to managing social situations. It’s common for people with unaddressed hearing loss to avoid social situations, as they no longer feel part of the conversation. When people withdraw and become more isolated, it’s time to act – for their wellbeing and for their health. Loneliness isn’t trivial. It has a measurable impact on your overall health, equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day 3.

Our eyes and ears work together to help us stay balanced and steady on your feet. However, if one of those senses is impaired, our chances of falling increases.

Did you know?

46%

of people in the UK have never had their hearing checked4

— Depression Becoming more isolated, seeing less of our friends and not doing the things we love can lead to mental health issues like depression. If you have a mild hearing loss you are twice as likely to experience depression. With a moderate hearing loss, it’s three times as likely and if you have a severe hearing loss, it’s five times more.

— Dementia People with hearing loss are also more at risk of cognitive decline and dementia. In fact, hearing has been identified as the most significant modifiable risk factor for dementia (Lancet 2017), ahead of hypertension and obesity.

Did you know?

More men than women are affected by hearing loss5

Why modifiable? Because acting early on hearing loss also lessens the risk of dementia. It’s important to note that the evidence is not causal, but correlational. In other words, we know the risk with hearing loss is greater (so the conditions are linked) but we cannot say one causes the other or how.

Either way, it’s a good idea to have your hearing regularly checked from the age of 50 onwards.

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Research suggests that the less you can hear, the less you move. But why? The cognitive load – so much attention and brain energy is spent on trying to hear, that you have less energy.

What’s also clear from research is that when you hear well, you do more, feel more confident, stay physically active and are less prone to developing chronic health conditions such as diabetes, stroke and cognitive decline6,7. Now that’s what we call healthy ageing!

So how can I look after my senses for longer?

— 3 ways to keep healthier It’s never too late to make changes to the way you live.

Here are three tips to get you started.

Stay active: Just 30 minutes of activity a day can help promote mobility and health in later life. What counts as ‘activity’? Anything that raises your heart rate until you feel slightly out of breath.

Eat healthily: Choose a healthy Mediterranean diet packed with fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, low salt and sugar content, and not too much meat.

Stay connected: Do things that give you joy and meaning, whether that’s playing tennis, taking up photography, or visiting places you love. All of these things help you to feel more positive.

By looking after our eyes and ears, we can be ready for whatever comes our way. Seeing things more clearly.

Hearing and being heard. And enjoying more of the people and things that we love.

Keep life in full colour. Book a FREE hearing health check today on 0800 52 00 546 or visit www.thcp.co.uk/booking THE HEARING CARE PARTNERSHIP | TALKING POINTS

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Dealing with DIGITAL EYE STRAIN F rom our phones to monitors at work, we’re addicted to digital screens. But how much damage is it really doing to our eyes? We take a look at a condition known as DES – digital eye strain.

Most of us spend an alarming amount of time in front of a screen. Whether you’re a spreadsheet warrior in the office or catching up on Netflix at home, the chances are your eyes are working overtime. As a result, you’re at risk of developing ‘digital eye strain’. But what exactly is this condition?

Digital eye strain (DES) is a temporary change in visual function and comfort caused by prolonged focusing on a digital device. It’s similar to other repetitive stress injuries caused by carrying out the same activity over and over again without taking breaks.

A single plane of focus is to blame

When you use a digital device, your eyes constantly move across the screen, shifting from the keyboard to the screen and focusing on the display. However, all of these tasks are at a fixed close-range distance. They also cause us to blink less often.

Maintaining a fixed close distance for long periods of time can stress the ciliary muscles in your eyes, leading to DES. Most people who work with screens regularly experience some form of eye trouble. It’s important to emphasise that looking at screens isn’t a problem in itself (although the blue light most screens produce has been shown to suppress or delay the natural production of sleep-inducing hormone melatonin)1. It's looking at a fixed distance and position that causes the strain.

1

Lisa A. Ostrin. Kaleb S. Abbott. Hope M. Queener. Attenuation of short wavelengths alters sleep and the ipRGC pupil response. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, 2017; 37 (4):440 DOI: 10.1111/opportunity.12385

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What are the symptoms?

Combatting DES

If you have DES you might experience a range of other symptoms. Some of the most common include:

When you’re deep into the fifth season of the latest transatlantic TV sensation, the thought of taking a break from the nerve-shredding tension may seem impossible. But, if you can manage to haul yourself away from the screen, your eyes will thank you.

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Headaches

•

Dry or watery eyes

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Redness in the eyes

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Double vision

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Vertigo or dizziness

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Blurred vision

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Tired eyes

There’s a simple rule to remember: 20-20-20. After 20 minutes of screen viewing (the same goes for TV or computer screens), take a 20-second break and look at something around 20-feet away. This quick optical exercise will keep your eye muscles fighting fit and protect both your vision and your viewing pleasure. And don’t forget to blink too!

Beware of the goggle box Of course, it’s not only tablets and mobile phones that are to blame. Most of us think nothing of coming home and relaxing in front of our favourite films, but the television can also be a plight on the eyes.

The number one mistake we make is sitting too close to the telly. We don’t want to miss any on-screen action, but thanks to ever-growing TV screen sizes and high definition quality we don’t need to sit pupil-to-pixel. Remember, if you’re seeking to prevent eye strain, space is your friend.

For a 40-inch TV, position yourself around 6-9 feet (approx.

2-3m) from your screen. A 50-inch display will allow you to move slightly further back, to 7-11 feet (approx. 2-3.5m). Be pragmatic though – if you find yourself squinting at a distant screen, or you feel you’re so close your eyes are straining, adjust your spacing accordingly.

It’s also important to keep hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is vital for overall optical health (and our general health), as is eating a balanced diet. Even the most strenuous of box-set bingeing sessions requires rest and recuperation. Your eyes need time to recover, so getting a solid 7-8 hours of sleep is highly recommended.

“ There's a simple rule to remember: 20–20–20” ¨ 20 minutes' viewing ¨ 20 second break ¨ 20 feet away

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TALK TO US If you think you might be struggling with Digital Eye Strain, get in touch with the Observatory team today.

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Mod. CM9939 C1 8 THE HEARING CARE PARTNERSHIP | TALKING POINTS

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HOW LONG DO HEARING AIDS LAST? Hearing aids can do more than just help you overcome a hearing loss. They can help you beat loneliness and even ward off dementia. But they’re also a major financial investment, so it’s good to know how long they’ll be expected to last.

The lifespan of a hearing aid can be anything from three to seven years. Of course, this largely depends on the type of hearing aid you’ve been fitted with, the environment that you’re exposed to, its build quality, and how it works with your lifestyle.

Our top tips to help you conserve battery life: • Double check the hearing aid is turned off when not in use.

• Leave the batteries exposed overnight so any moisture can evaporate.

• Be aware that smartphone or TV streaming functions can wear down batteries faster than normal.

If you’re a fan of a tiny in-the-ear hearing aid, you can expect to get around four to five years of use. You may get an extra year or two from a behind-the-ear aid, but it’s also important to consider your hearing ability may change during that time.

Hearing aid battery life As a general rule of thumb, the smaller the battery, the shorter the lifespan. Based on normal use over a 16-hour day, a battery can last from 5 to 14 days, with battery replacement being relatively simple.

Some hearing aids, such as the Oticon Opn, use rechargeable batteries. The hearing aid sits on a small stand on your bedside table while you sleep and is fully charged and ready to go the next morning. And if you forget to charge it, you can simply drop in a standard non- rechargeable battery.

GREAT RESULTS WITH NEW HEARING AIDS Latest reports1 show that people with hearing aids: Are more than 85% satisfied with their • new hearing aids.

Wear their hearing aids for more than 8 hours • due to the natural sound experience.

Are less fatigued in group conversations.

• Participate more easily in group settings.

• 1

Ehima, 2017

TALK TO US If you would like to discuss the hearing aids you currently wear or book a FREE hearing assessment then call us on 0800 52 00 546.

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Communicating We need to start thinking about our whole communication network…

Everyone needs to be part of a social network – real or digital – from our close family and friends to those we speak to less often but who still play a critical role in our lives: doctors, hairdressers, shop keepers and many more.

These different circles of people form the structure of our lives, allowing us to grow and develop in good health and happiness. After all, where would the joy in life be without the emotional foundation our personal relationships give us to take on everyday challenges?

If you have hearing loss, your communication partner plays a vital role in your life. They’re often the first to spot a hearing problem and are likely to be the ones encouraging you to seek medical help. They are also generally the first to adapt their communication style to keep the conversation going. After you, they’re also the most affected by your hearing loss.

Their perspective really matters. You need to be sure they’re involved in your treatment or hearing rehabilitation and any related decision-making.

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Managing communication in a variety of settings can be challenging If you develop hearing loss, the way in which you manage and keep up these relationships can be slightly different – and sometimes more challenging. Communication is key to maintaining healthy family relationships and friendships, and this becomes easier when you hear better.

That is why the World Health Organisation (WHO) describes hearing loss as a ‘third-party disability’: the spouse or significant other also experiences more difficulty participating in social situations.

You probably have a natural ‘communication partner’ in your life, usually your spouse or other very close family member or friend. Hearing loss can have a real impact on both of you, where repetition causes frustration, fatigue and a loss of those spontaneous, tender moments like sharing a joke or a whispered secret. This is one of the lesser known effects of hearing loss – but it’s important to acknowledge the impact it can have on both of you as you will both be working harder to have the conversation.

Chatting among friends

What you can do

Group conversations can also become more complicated.

You can often struggle to hear every word when there are a number of people talking at once, or if there’s loud background noise.

If you experience hearing loss, or you are in a relationship with someone who does, there are some things you can do to make your situation, and theirs, easier.

In these scenarios your communication partner may instinctively and helpfully act as your ‘ear piece’, doing the listening and taking on more of the communication responsibility; for example, by getting the conversation back on track if a misunderstanding takes place.

“Loss of those spontaneous, tender, moments... like sharing a joke or a whispered secret.”

Helping out to stay involved in conversation is a natural instinct but requires effort and can lead to fatigue.

The WHO identifies the social impact of hearing loss as one of its most prominent consequences, explaining that exclusion from communication can cause feelings of loneliness, isolation and frustration. And this applies to the communication partner as well as the person with the hearing loss.

Did you know, people who bring partners with them: • Enjoy appointments more.

Are more confident with technology • and communication at home.

Experience enhanced quality of life.

•

• Empathise. Acknowledge the effort you both make to ensure positive conversation and appreciate the opportunity for this to actually deepen rather than damage your relationship.

• Identify the positive steps that promote easy conversation which work for you.

• I nvolve your communication partner. Bring them along, provide them with the opportunity to describe their point of view and discover ways to enjoy conversation more together.

• S eek advice, both of you. It’s also an idea to talk to your audiologist about how to have easier conversations (yes, there are tips and tricks that can make things that little bit easier).

If you have hearing loss, make sure you consider your significant other and put them at the centre of the treatment process. It can make a real, positive difference to your relationship, and help you live a fulfilling life with hearing loss.

TALK TO US Request a FREE Hearing Assessment with our audiologist by calling 0800 52 00 546 or visiting www.thcp.co.uk

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n summer time, it's normal to see crowds of sun- seekers with the latest trend in sunglasses on, but in the colder months not so much. Not only do they look great, but they benefit the health of your eyes by protecting them against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. However, as research into the effects of UV increases, so does our understanding of how we should be protecting ourselves all year round.

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For your everyday

For your lifestyle

Daylight hours will always expose your eyes to UV. From bright winter mornings to cool spring dusks, harmful rays don’t discriminate against the time of year!

Contrary to popular belief, sunglasses don’t just make things darker – they can completely change the way your eyes receive light. The right lenses can enhance your quality of vision when doing the things you love most, whether that’s a day at the beach or skiing down some slopes!

In the UK we often overlook the amount of time we spend outside. This means it’s easy to forget the long term effects of UV damage to your eyes, as well as your skin. Long term exposure to UV is proven to increase the risk of eye conditions such as Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. The delicate skin around your eyes will also feel the impact, as UV rays have been linked to premature ageing of skin and even melanoma.

According to the Skin Care Foundation up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays can penetrate clouds, meaning that even when you don’t feel the benefits of the sun’s warmth you reap the harmful effects of UV. Not only this, but more than 50% of the UV radiation our eyes receive is indirect, meaning that it comes from sources that reflect the light or cause glare. This could be a bright reflection from a shop window, or the glare from a wet road – all of which can cause damage to your eyes.

When browsing for your next pair of shades, you’ve more than likely seen the term ‘polarised lenses’ advertised on the most current frames. When light hits a surface, it is often reflected horizontally. Polarised lenses contain a special filter, minimising surface glare by acting as a Venetian blind to break up this horizontal stream of light, whilst still allowing light and colour through. Polarised lenses minimise surface glare, which is not only great for driving in wet conditions but also when sailing, letting you look across the water with ease.

If you would like to have a look at any of the sunglasses we have available, please pop into your local practice.

Available in prescription STYLE: WIKI WIKI

The view’s better from here.

PolarizedPlus2® Sunglasses

Keyla de Magalhaes BSc

Kerry Loades

Keyla graduated from the University of Petropolis (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) with an Audiology and Speech and Language Pathology BSc degree. Keyla started her career offering both speech therapy and audiological services to patients in both private and public sectors. After working within both the NHS and private sector, she found the most rewarding part of her career was contributing to a patients well-being and self-esteem by looking after their hearing.

Kerry graduated from Aston University in 2017 as a mature student with a distinction in Hearing Aid Audiology. Kerry began her career in Audiology working with both NHS and private patients, assessing and diagnosing hearing loss and fitting hearing aids to those who needed them.

“ I decided to join The Hearing Care Partnership team, as I

have the ability to offer my patients a more personalised service which is tailored to their needs. I also have access to a wide range of hearing aid equipment which gives each patient a true choice, maximising their results.

Outside of work I mostly dedicate my time to family and friends and I love taking part in church activities.”

FdSc, MSHAA

Kerry’s real passion is to see the difference that hearing solutions can make to people’s lives. She realised that the time provided in the private sector really meant she was able to get to know her patients and provide the best possible care.

“ I joined The Hearing Care Partnership because they allow me provide individual care to each and every one of my patients, to spend the time required to find a solution that works for the person in front of me. I enjoy that I can choose from a variety of tests dependent on individual needs. I have the opportunity to use the very best audiological technology to help make people’s lives easier, so they can enjoy quality time with those close to them and find a new energy for life

Outside work, I can usually be found in the gym, or having fun with my teenage daughter and fiancé.”

To celebrate our partnership we are offering 10% off * any hearing aid purchases when you bring this advert in to your FREE hearing assessment

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* Valid for 2020 Not valid with any other offer

TOTAL PEACE OF MIND FROM THE HEARING CARE PARTNERSHIP • 60 day money back guarantee • 3-5 year free warranties • Free Servicing • Free Maintenance

• Free Batteries • Hear Now, Pay Later Plans • Lifetime Aftercare

Book your FREE Hearing Health Check today 0800 52 00 546 thcp.co.uk The Hearing Care Partnership Observatory The Opticians Beccles — 01502 558 395 Haverhill — 01440 858 477