Lynne Fernandes Talking Points Spring 2018

TALKING POINTS INSIDE

SPRING 2018

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

THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE HEARING CARE PARTNERSHIP

EyeStyle is our new members club created with you in mind.

It’s free, easy to join and gives you access to exclusive offers, eye care advice, and money off your glasses, plus more!

Benefits at a glance Exclusive member-only offers

50% off your 2nd pair of specs Your first member offer in conjunction with Essilor, the leading manufacturer of optical lenses in the world, is an amazing 50% off your second pair of complete glasses.* Talk to a member of the team about joining EyeStyle to access this offer.

On the guest list for our VIP Events

Join today!

Annual FREE glasses MOT, lens spray and cloth

If you’re already a customer and you opt in to receive information about news and offers, you automatically become a member of EyeStyle**. If you’d like to join EyeStyle, sign up via our website ‘Get the latest’ (located on the site footer) or talk to a member our team today.

Complimentary frame styling consultation FREE standard vision lenses worth £50 or £50 off – when buying a complete pair of glasses EyeTalk e-newsletter packed with eye care news, advice, EyeStyle offers and discount codes NO JOINING FEE, simply opt in to receive information about news and offers

*Terms and conditions apply. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Ask in storefor details. **Giving us your email address means you agree to receive information about VIP events, news and offers.

For more information visit www.lynnefernandes.co.uk and read our EyeStyle blog or ask our team.

LIFE WITHOUT COMPROMISE

with the new issue of

W

e’re delighted to bring you the first edition of our magazine highlighting all the latest news from The Hearing Care Partnership. Inside you’ll find a wealth of features, from important insights about your hearing, to a round-up of the latest technology we offer. We hope you enjoy this issue, and we look forward to welcoming you into our practice very soon.

A

message FROM

W

Gerard & Lynne

elcome to Talking Points, our new joint magazine with The Hearing Care Partnership (THCP). We’re delighted by the feedback on our hearing care clinics provided by THCP. This supports our decision to work with a company who share our values of providing the highest standards of care, clinical excellence and product support.

You can book an extensive range of hearing services, including free hearing assessments, tinnitus consultations, ear wax removal and the latest, most

advanced digital hearing aids with lifetime care.

advice and latest news at Lynne Fernandes Optometrists.

Next generation hearing aids with the incredible life changing features are discussed on page 4. We also cover some commonly held myths and misconceptions about hearing loss on page 8. We also focus on those most precious to us: our children and grandchildren, outlining our Myopia Control Clinic.

Our award winning EyeSense care programme offers treatment services such as those for dry eye.

Our optometrists can also help clear conditions like blepharitis.

Talking Points magazine complements our quarterly EyeTalk e-newsletter available to our EyeStyle members.

With EyeTalk, you can find out more about the exclusive offers, eye care

And finally we are delighted to have won a prestigious Optician Award for the second time. Congratulations to our Wells Road practice for winning Family Optician of the Year. Thank you for all your support and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Gerard and Lynne Fernandes THE HEARING CARE PARTNERSHIP | TALKING POINTS

3

TOPTECH All the latest innovations from the world of hearing technology.

Make batteries a thing of the past Most advanced just got better – Oticon Opn™ The Oticon Opn™ has already established itself as one of the most advanced hearing aids available today: supporting your brain in making sense of sounds, it offers an unparalleled hearing experience that lets you focus on what’s important to you.

With its accompanying smartphone app and internet connectivity, the Opn™ is at the forefront of hearing aid technology. It's now available as a rechargeable option, too!

A simple and convenient overnight charge provides full power for the next day, with no need to worry about replacing batteries, so you can get straight on with your day. And should you forget to put your aids on charge, it’s no problem – ordinary batteries can be used too. All new and existing Opn mini Receiver-In-The-Ear (RITE) aids can be upgraded to the rechargeable option by your audiologist.

The Oticon Opn™ with charger

Small but mighty – Unitron Moxi Fit R The new Unitron Moxi Fit R brings discretion and style together with convenience and comfort – it’s the world’s smallest rechargeable hearing aid. You get more than 24 hours of listening from one overnight charge, so the Moxi Fit R’s small size doesn’t mean you compromise on power or usability.

One rechargeable battery will last a whole year, so it will also save you from changing up to 100 single use ones – but traditional batteries can still be used as a back-up if needed, for complete peace of mind.

The Unitron Moxi Fit R and its stylish colour options

4 THE HEARING CARE PARTNERSHIP | TALKING POINTS

A connected world Universal connectivity – Phonak Audéo™ B-Direct Wirelessly connecting your hearing aid to your smartphone is nothing new, but until now it’s always been limited to phones from a handful of manufacturers. The new Phonak Audéo™ B-Direct hearing aid makes this limitation a thing of the past, with cutting edge connectivity that enables you to pair your aids with any Bluetooth® phone. Not only can you take calls hands-free, but you’ll hear the phone ringing in your aids and can even answer or reject calls without needing to touch your mobile device.

Adjustments at home or away – ReSound LiNX 3D™ ReSound were the first manufacturer to bring ‘Made for iPhone®’ connectivity to their hearing aids, and now include this technology as standard on their latest aid, the LiNX 3D™, enabling you to stream audio from your TV, tablet or smartphone direct to your aids. What’s more, ReSound LiNX 3D™ offers an innovative new system that allows you to send your audiologist feedback on your listening experience in different situations via an app. This means your hearing professional can fine-tune your hearing aids remotely to give you the best possible hearing experience, wherever you are.

Taking tailor-made to the next level Anatomically perfected – Phonak Virto B Phonak Virto B hearing aids, built on Phonak’s latest Belong platform, take custom-fit in-the-ear aids to new heights. They are the world's first hearing aid to use Biometric Calibration technology. The unique anatomy of your ear affects how sound is captured and directed, so the Virto B uses more than 1600 data points to calculate the perfect fit for you. This helps to identify sound direction more accurately and give you the best possible hearing experience.

A metal revolution – Phonak Virto B-Titanium The Virto B-Titanium, Phonak’s smallest in-ear hearing aid yet, uses a revolutionary casing of medical grade titanium. Titanium is a hypoallergenic metal, so it causes no irritation or discomfort. It’s also an incredible 15 times stronger than traditional acrylic, so the shell is as thin as 0.2mm in places.

Combined with smaller electronic components, the whole aid is 26% smaller than previous generations of Virto devices, giving you a virtually invisible hearing solution.

THE HEARING CARE PARTNERSHIP | TALKING POINTS

5

7

MYTHS ABOUT

hearing loss

and why they're NOT TRUE

Charlotte Bufton is a THCP hearing expert who works across our network of branches. These are some of the most common misconceptions about hearing loss that she has encountered over the years.

MYTH: It’s easy to tell if you have a hearing loss.

MYTH: Hearing aids make your ears lazy.

FACT: Many people notice the symptoms of hearing loss before the hearing loss itself.

FACT: Hearing aids support your brain.

Indicators of hearing loss can include: •F atigue: your brain is having to work much harder to establish what people are saying.

• L ower energy levels: when you have a hearing loss, listening effort is significantly increased.

•S ocial isolation: many people will stop enjoying and attending social events because of problems hearing.

•M ental decline: untreated hearing loss results in less stimulation of the auditory cortex. This accelerates mental decline, resulting in a higher risk of dementia.

If you have hearing loss, the earlier you are fitted with hearing aids the better. Untreated hearing loss results in auditory deprivation, where the brain loses the ability to interpret words due to a lack of stimulation over an extended period of time. Hearing aids provide regular stimulation of the auditory cortex, helping to prevent or reverse auditory deprivation.

“Hearing changes very gradually, so we get used to missing out on soft sounds.”

MYTH: If you have a hearing loss, you won’t be able to hear most sounds.

FACT: Most people with a hearing loss don’t notice difficulty hearing in all situations.

Hearing usually changes very gradually so we get used to missing out on soft sounds: leaves rustling, clocks ticking, soft breathing. For most people, hearing deteriorates in the high frequencies, such as ‘s’ ‘sh’ and ‘f’ sounds, resulting in a loss of clarity, rather than volume.

This results in: • Speech sounding mumbled.

•D ifficulty hearing in a restaurant (or any background noise) situation.

•A bility to hear doors slamming in the distance, but problems hearing speech clearly.

6 THE HEARING CARE PARTNERSHIP | TALKING POINTS

MYTH: It’s better to leave wearing hearing aids until your hearing is worse.

FACT: Hearing aids reduce deterioration of hearing.

If you wear hearing aids, your auditory pathway is able to function more normally. This results in a slower rate of deterioration in your hearing. Therefore the longer you leave it, the quicker your hearing deteriorates and the more auditory deprivation develops.

MYTH: There is nothing you can do to help tinnitus.

FACT: Tinnitus is often a symptom of hearing loss. Therefore, many people find that wearing hearing aids stops them from being aware of their tinnitus.

Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing sound for which there is no external source. This is often a ringing, buzzing or hissing noise. Many people with hearing loss experience tinnitus because the auditory cortex (the hearing part of your brain) receives less stimulation from your ear.

Tinnitus often occurs at the same frequency as the hearing

loss. In fact, 90% of tinnitus occurs as a result of hearing loss.

Many people find that wearing hearing aids prevents them hearing tinnitus. Many hearing aids are now fitted with a tinnitus relief system – speak to one of our audiologists who can advise you on the best hearing aids to help you.

MYTH: Hearing loss only affects older people.

FACT: Our hearing changes from a young age.

Our hearing becomes less sensitive to high frequency sounds from as early as our twenties. 50% of people have a high frequency hearing loss by the age of 50. This can particularly affect the ability to hear in background noise or group situations.

Family Optician of the Year

MYTH: A hearing assessment is only for people who have concerns about their hearing.

FACT: Hearing and ear health should be monitored at regular intervals, whatever your age.

Like visiting the dentist, or having regular eye examinations, it is important to have your hearing and ear health monitored to detect any changes. Every hearing test that you have with us is recorded, allowing us to identify and inform you of any changes over time. It is never too early to have your first hearing check.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP If you have any questions or concerns about your hearing or that of a loved one, or would simply like more information, you can call us on 0800 52 00 546 or book a free hearing test online at thcp.co.uk

We’re absolutely thrilled that our Wells Road practice has won Family Optician of the Year 2018 in the prestigious, national Optician Awards. Established for over 20 years, these awards are recognised as the benchmark of excellence in the optical community, showcasing the best in achievement, ability and performance. The large number of entries made the judges’ decision particularly difficult, but the clear family culture, emphasis on delighting every customer and the genuine care that shone through, that meant the practice won.

This award will join Lynne’s Optometrist of the Year 2016 and we are over the moon!

LET'S TALK

about

S

ugar seems to be the buzzword that has gripped the nation over the past couple of years, and how we all should be drastically curbing our sugar habit for the sake of our health. While it’s easy to get caught up in the hype of the latest ‘sugar free’ diet, as a dietitian, it worries me that most people are still very confused about sugar: what is sugar? How much sugar is too much? Are there ‘good’ and ‘bad’ sugars? Does sugar make you overweight or cause diabetes? I am on hand to help demystify sugar, as well as help you make healthier choices without having to cut out all of the sweet stuff.

With State Registered Dietitian Helen Bond

Is sugar public enemy number one?

Sugar is still top of the health agenda for 2018, and with good reason. As a nation, we are all eating and drinking too much of it! The average British adult is getting through around 60g of added sugar a day - the equivalent of around 15 teaspoons.

Teenagers are consuming even more than the older generation, 80g or 20 teaspoons for boys and 65g or 16 teaspoons for girls. A spoonful of sugar here and there may seem harmless, but it soon adds up and can boost your daily calorie intake – which if not used up in your day-to-day life will expand your waistline and cause dental disease.

Does sugar cause diabetes?

What is sugar?

Most of us think of it as simply the white sugar found in the sugar bowl (sucrose), but it comes in many guises. Despite the ballyhoo that surrounds ‘sugar free’ diets, it’s impossible to be completely ‘sugar free’ because sugars are in healthy foods too – yes that’s right! There’s lactose (found in dairy products), glucose and fructose (found in fruits, vegetables and honey) and maltose (found in malted drinks).

8 THE HEARING CARE PARTNERSHIP | TALKING POINTS

If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, you need to monitor your sugar and carbohydrate intake to manage your blood sugar levels. Over time, uncontrolled diabetes and persistently high blood sugar levels can damage the network of tiny blood vessels in the eyes and the inner ears, leading to vision and hearing loss. If you don’t have diabetes, sugar intake alone won’t cause you to develop Type 2 diabetes, but too much could lead to you being overweight – one of the main risk factors for Type 2 diabetes. There is also some research that suggests that having too much sugar in the form of sugarsweetened drinks increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

How much sugar should we have in our diets?

Added sugar, or newly-termed 'free sugars', is sugar that's been added to food by you or a manufacturer, including natural sugars you get in honey, syrups and unsweetened fruit juice. For the sake of our waistlines and overall health, Public Health England (PHE) recommends we should be halving the amount we're consuming to no more than 5% of our daily calories – that’s around 30g of sugar (or about 7 teaspoons) a day for adults, and less for children, depending on their age.

Naturally occurring sugars, found in whole fruit, vegetables and dairy products, come hand in hand with lots of other useful nutrients, so there’s no need to restrict them in your diet. After all, many of us still fail to reach the recommended 5-A-Day!

Are there ‘good’ and ‘bad’ sugars?

Many articles, celebrities, health bloggers, food manufactures and diet ‘experts’ will have you hoodwinked that the best way forward when it comes to cutting down or making products healthier is to switch to ‘natural sugars’ such as honey, coconut sugar and agave nectar. Not so! These ‘natural’ sugars may have a more wholesome image to traditional sugar but no matter what they’re called, any sugar found in a syrup or extract counts as a ‘free sugar’, so you still need to watch your intake to avoid the health pitfalls highlighted above.

‘Sugar is sugar whether it’s granulated, syrup, honey or treacle — a teaspoon of any of them contains the same calories and your body processes it in the same way’

How to cut down on sugar?

Lifelong healthy eating and living is about taking little decisions along the way that balance pleasure and moderation. Most of us want to enjoy a little sweetness in our lives, so, if you have a sweet tooth but are looking to take steps towards cutting your ‘free sugar’ intake - without compromising on taste - check out my easy hints and tips:

TEN

easy ways to cut down on sugar

Tip 1

Use sugar wisely. Try not to rely on it and use it cleverly, like making nutritional foods more palatable.

Tip 2

Swap the sugar you add to your tea for a low or zero-calorie sweetener.

Tip 3

Make water or low fat milk your drinks of choice.

Tip 4

Swap sugary desserts for fruit with low fat Greek or Natural yoghurt.

Tip 5

Get baking! Make a few simple changes to your ingredients by substituting fruit purees for some of the sugar.

Tip 6

Watch the alcoholic drinks. Enjoy alcohol free days mid-week, alternating your drinks with water and diet soft drinks, and downsizing your wine glass.

Tip 7

Read labels and wise up on ingredients.

When shopping switch to an item that is marked lower in sugar.

Tip 8

Keep fruit juice to one small glass a day.

100% pure fruit juice contains naturally occurring sugars so stick to a small (150ml) glass a day.

Tip 9

Snack on a handful of sweet almonds or walnuts.

Tip10

Recondition your taste buds. Go for foods with naturally sweet flavours – bananas, berries and other fruits are very healthy choices.

Helen Bond is a freelance State Registered Dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association. She has 20 years' experience working in the NHS, in PR, within the media and across the food and pharmaceutical industries.

THE HEARING CARE PARTNERSHIP | TALKING POINTS

9

WHAT IS MYOPIA? And, why should you care?

Myopia or short sightedness, is an eye health issue that every parent should be aware of but may not know about. If you are short-sighted your distance vision is blurred. A myopic person can see clearly nearby when reading or looking at a smartphone but whiteboards, TV and driving are blurred.

Cause and risks Myopia is caused when the eye ball grows too quickly.

It usually begins in childhood and is more common in children with a myopic parent. The number of people developing myopia world-wide is increasing sharply and it’s now considered an epidemic. Myopia increases the risk of developing eye disease such as cataract, glaucoma and retinal detachment. This risk increases as the level of myopia increases. Myopia can’t be cured or reversed but it can be slowed down and the younger you start treatment the better the chance of success.

Myopia control Traditionally, glasses or contact lenses have been prescribed to provide clear distance vision and this is how many high street opticians deal with myopia today. But, this doesn’t stop myopia progressing. There is now compelling evidence to show that by wearing specific contact or spectacle lenses and by making some lifestyle changes, myopia progression can be reduced or in some cases even stopped.

10 THE HEARING CARE PARTNERSHIP | TALKING POINTS

Treatment costs as little as your daily coffee!

Our Myopia Control clinic is evidence based on the best research available. It’s patient-friendly while retaining the highest clinical standards. There is no NHS funding for this specialist work but treatment costs as little as £2.50 per day – the cost of a daily coffee!

In expert hands Our clinic is respected nationally. We are one of 10 launch practices to trial the first licensed myopia control contact lens, MiSight® 1 day. This lens holds myopia change back, on average, by 60%. But managing myopia is more complicated than simply using a contact lens. There are different treatments that work for different people. We can help find the best solution for you or your child.

ACT NOW Take a look at the myopia control on our website and use the ‘my kids vision’ link to quickly access your child’s risk. And, if you are myopic and your vision is getting worse or, if you are a myopic parent with a child whose prescription is changing, book into our next clinic now at www.lynnefernandes.co.uk or talk to your practice team.

IRRITATED

by DRY EYES? What is dry eye?

Dry eye is the most frequent reason why patients contact their optometrists, yet it is under-diagnosed and often incorrectly treated. Dry eye commonly causes discomfort, poor vision and damage to the front of the eye. It is normally caused by not enough fluid being produced in the eye or too much evaporation because the oil glands within the eyelids are not working properly.

What are the symptoms? Your eyes may feel:• dry • irritated • gritty, or you may experience a burning sensation • a slight blurring of the vision • you may be light sensitive

• We assess and grade the extent of the eyelid inflammation.

• I f you have Blepharitis, we assess and grade the amount of Blepharitis and discuss this with you.

•B lepharitis treatment is a painless procedure and involves cleaning the eye lids, controlling inflammation and increasing lubrication.

•W e clean the lids using the latest optical equipment - a surgical grade micro-sponge called BlephEx •B y unblocking and expressing the oil producing glands this also improves the tear quality and we increase lubrication with your natural tears by controlling the outflow of tears •W e can help you control further inflammation with dietary and lifestyle advice

• contact lenses can feel uncomfortable

•W e will recommend lid hygiene wipes and tear supplements as appropriate for your eyes

• d ecreased tolerance of reading, working on the computer, or any activity that requires sustained visual attention

Don’t suffer any longer

• eye fatigue

Join EyeSense for Dry Eye, our bespoke treatment plan, costing £15-£20 per month depending on your eyes needs.

Our optometrist will advise at your first appointment.

•W atery eyes – yes, dry eye can ironically make your eyes water more

How we can help you Our optometrists are accredited Dry Eye practitioners, so you are in expert hands. We will:•C arry out a careful and accurate diagnosis - key to creating you a bespoke treatment plan •W e will measure the production, drainage, volume and stability of the tear film.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP If you think you have dry eye or Blepharitis book an appointment for an assessment with us. You can book quickly and easily online at www.lynnefernandes.co.uk or call your local practice.

•W e may take a photo of the front of your eyes which we will show you to explain our findings and to use as a baseline for your bespoke treatment THE HEARING CARE PARTNERSHIP | TALKING POINTS

11

MEETthe audiologists

Anna Pugh BA MSc MSHAA RHAD Audiologist & Hearing Therapist

Cathryn Brett RHAD MSHAA Audiologist & Hearing Aid Consultant Cathryn qualified as a Hearing Aid Audiologist at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. Since then she has built up a wealth of valuable experience in the private sector.

“I’m passionate about providing the best possible solutions and support for those with hearing loss. Working at The Hearing Care Partnership means I have time to spend with each patient, not only enabling me to carry out thorough clinical testing, but also to match the most suitable state of the art hearing systems in line with lifestyle and personal preferences. I also have the time and freedom to ensure it doesn’t stop there - I’m able to provide ongoing care and support, which is essential to ensuring that each patient has a personal and tailor-made aftercare service, which will continue to improve their quality of life.”

Outside work, Cathryn enjoys antique and vintage fairs, gardening and country walks with her dog.

12 THE HEARING CARE PARTNERSHIP | TALKING POINTS

For over three decades, Anna has worked in a variety of different audiology environments, from NHS Audiology Clinics in hospitals and the private sector to self-help groups and even an international charity.

“As part of the THCP team, I’m really enjoying the partnership of combining professional hearing healthcare with local high street opticians, helping people to make the most of their sight and hearing.

As a Hearing Therapist I specialise in improving communication skills, from teaching lipreading to learning to make the most of hearing aid technology, and working with people with tinnitus and similar conditions. As an Audiologist I can choose from the latest hearing aid technology to support you and help you make the most of your hearing, keeping you joining in conversations with work colleagues, family and friends, so you don’t miss the important things in life.

As a Council Member of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists (BSHAA), our professional body, I can ensure that THCP keeps up-to-date with developments and research into best audiological practice, and work with colleagues and students to plan for the future of the profession.”

Katy Waterman BSc RHAD Audiologist

Aphra Dowell-Jones MSc RHAD HCPC Audiologist After graduating with a Master’s degree in Audiology from the University of Southampton, Aphra spent seven years working within the NHS. During her time there she was able to use her knowledge and experience to make a difference in people’s lives by helping them to maximise their hearing capabilities.

“I’m proud to work for The Hearing Care Partnership, an organisation that puts patient care and experience at the heart of everything they do. As a professional, I enjoy having the time to listen to patients and their requirements in order to complete a fully personalised assessment of their hearing. I’m excited to have access to the latest technologies and be able to offer a solution based on personal preferences that will make a positive difference to a patient’s life, enabling them to continue doing the things they love.”

Katy graduated from University of Southampton with an Audiology BSc degree, and has been helping those with hearing impairment and their families since. Having divided her time between working with the NHS and private clinics, Katy enjoys the personal approach to hearing care that The Hearing Care Partnership can offer. Having experienced a hearing loss herself, with a variety of different treatments, inspired her commitment to excellent customer care.

“I enjoyed working within the NHS and gained valuable clinical experience in adult rehabilitation, vestibular assessment, paediatrics and ENT. Since 2014 I have been working privately, which is much more rewarding because I am able to dedicate more time to each patient, tailor their hearing healthcare more precisely, offer a wider range of technology, and provide continued aftercare support.

Outside of work, my time is spent with my husband and children, usually walking a coastline somewhere. I also have a passion for yoga and practice daily.”

Outside work, Aphra can normally be found with a pair of knitting needles in her hands.

THE HEARING CARE PARTNERSHIP | TALKING POINTS

13

YOUR HEARING

Health

CHECK A guide to our full hearing assessment

W

ith The Hearing Care Partnership, you can spend up to 90 minutes in our FREE full hearing assessment. This might seem like a long time, but we pride ourselves on ensuring that you receive the very best expert care and will never rush you out of the door. During the assessment, you will get to know your audiologist. They will teach you about hearing loss, check the health of your ears and assess your hearing and ability to process speech sounds. Your results will be explained to you in detail, and we will then discuss any appropriate solutions based on the results.

Speech Testing For most of us, speech is the most important thing to hear as it allows us to engage socially. As we get older, our brains can also become slower to process information, especially when it is having to fill in gaps where we’re not hearing speech clearly.

This can make it harder to keep up with conversation. Speech testing allows us to assess your ability to hear and process speech sounds in quiet and noisy conditions. If there are areas you miss, we can discuss the effect this might be having on your ability to understand speech.

Your audiologist will be able to recommend tips and solutions to help make sure you don’t miss any of the conversation that’s most important to you.

Checking Your Ear Health

Hearing Aid Demonstration

The first thing your audiologist will do is check the health of your ears. This includes identifying wax, ear infections or any possible blockages, as well as tympanometry, which checks the movement and health of your ear drums. Blockages or infections can be easily treated if identified early, but can cause problems if left untreated. If you ever experience pain or discomfort it could be related to the function of your middle ear. Your hearing professional can test this and offer advice to keep things more comfortable in future.

We understand that the idea of having a hearing aid can be daunting. However, most people are surprised by how discreet, light and comfortable hearing aids now are – you can easily wear hearing aids without anybody noticing! The quality of sound has also improved so significantly over the years, you’ll be amazed at how clearly you can hear… even in busy places. If we identify a hearing loss during an assessment, you’ll be able to try some hearing aids at no cost, set up exactly for you, to get an idea of how they sound, feel and look.

Pure Tone Hearing Test A pure tone test checks your hearing across a range of frequencies. It produces a graph that we store in your record so that any changes in your hearing can be tracked. It allows us to identify very subtle changes in your hearing which often go unrecognised in day-to-day life. These changes commonly affect the clarity of the message being sent to your brain, meaning it must work harder to interpret it. You may not notice your hearing changing, but it can lead to fatigue, frustration and increased listening effort. Pure tone hearing tests can also identify early signs of more serious conditions.

14 THE HEARING CARE PARTNERSHIP | TALKING POINTS

WE ARE HERE TO HELP If you think that you or a loved one may benefit from a FREE full hearing assessment with one of our expert audiologists, simply call us on 0800 52 00 546 or request an appointment online.

What do you want your glasses to say about you?

Find your own personal style in the

2018 Collection

At The Hearing Care Partnership, our care doesn’t stop after your consultation. We’re here for you when you need us, so if you need some advice or want to talk something over, we’re here to listen.

For total peace of mind, we provide a 60 day 100% money back guarantee, and all our digital hearing aids come with 3-5 year warranties, free servicing and maintenance, and free batteries for 3-5 years.

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.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE • Free Hearing Assessments

• Tinnitus Management

• Hearing Aid MOTs

• Hear Now, Pay Later

• Lifetime Aftercare

• Ear Wax Removal from £40

Bristol Gloucester Road – 01174 057 335 Bristol Wells Road – 01176 112 307 Nailsea – 01275 772 279

www.thcp.co.uk WWW.HEARINGCAREPARTNERSHIP.CO.UK