It’s coming up to the big C word again and we swear it comes around quicker every year! Not sure what to get for your loved one who has everything? Give the gift of better hearing this festive season.

Should I book a hearing test this festive season?

If you’re not sure whether you or your loved one need a hearing test, then answering these questions may help.

Do you have problems hearing the TV or radio at a volume that is loud enough for others?

Are you over the age of 50?

Do you feel embarrassed when you meet new people because you struggle to hear? 

Do you find it difficult to follow a conversation in a busy restaurant or pub? 

Does your hearing affect you at work? 

Do you sometimes just nod and smile when talking to someone because you’re unable to clearly hear them?  

Is there a history of hearing loss in your family? 

Do you have tinnitus (ringing in your ears)? 

Does a hearing problem cause frustration and arguments with friends and family? 

Do you find you have to ask people to repeat themselves often?

If you answered yes to  3 or more of these questions, it’s a good idea to get your hearing tested by an audiologist.

You can also visit our previous blog, “Do I Need a Hearing Test?” for more information.

Festive sounds you don’t want to miss out on

On average, people wait ten years after having a hearing test to do something about it. For a lot of people, the festive season is a chance to spend time with family and friends. There are so many festive sounds that you don’t want to miss out on.

Christmas Carols

Christmas carols are a given at this time of year. Whether it’s a goosebump-inducing choir in church, a brass band at the local Christmas light switch-on, or the kids in their nativity play, you don’t want to miss out.

Conversations with Family & Friends

For a lot of people, Christmas is a time to visit family and friends. For those conversations and moments you don’t want to miss, it’s worth having your hearing checked. The thought of too much noise can be daunting too. There might be some family members that you don’t want to hear this festive season. If you’re a hearing aid wearer and an app user, you can have better control of how much you want to hear. Hearing aids are designed to cut out the background noise and focus on speech. Although it can be tempting to take them out, don’t miss out on the joyful sounds of Christmas.

Crunchy snow

Christmas Films

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a classic Christmas film. Unless you’re a complete Scrooge! If you’ve noticed that you’re struggling to hear the telly, it might be worth having a hearing test.

How do I book an appointment for a hearing test?

If your hearing has changed suddenly or you have any other symptoms such as pulsatile tinnitus, headaches or dizziness, we recommend contacting your GP.

If you’d like to book an appointment with us at Leeds Audiology Clinic, you can contact us here.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

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Where is Leeds Audiology Clinic? We’re hoping by now you know who we are or you’ve at least heard of us. But just in case you haven’t or you’re wondering where on earth we are, we thought we’d let you know!

So, where is Leeds Audiology Clinic? 29 Park Square West, LS1 2PQ!

Park Square is an idyllic area in Leeds city centre and we’re so pleased to call it home. Just a stones throw away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, it feels like another world. The beautiful Georgian buildings surrounding the park make you feel like you’re in a London suburb and not the middle of Leeds. If you’re interested in the history of Park Square, you can check out our blog Park Square Leeds Then and Now.

Travelling by car

If you’re travelling to us by car, it may be worth planning your journey ahead of time. There are a number of one way systems in place throughout Leeds and various roadworks so checking your route beforehand will help you avoid any wrong turns. Waze and Google Maps are the most up to date travel apps for roadworks and traffic alerts.

Parking

The closest place to park is on Park Square itself. There is metered parking around the Square and the best time to nab a space is before 9am or after 3pm during the week and any time on a weekend. There is one parking meter on Park Square East (directly opposite the clinic on the other side of the square). You can also download the Pay By Phone app which we recommend doing before your appointment as it can take a five or ten minutes to set up.

Blue Badge Holders

There are double yellow lines a short walk from our front door which blue badge holders are able to park on. Parking around the square is also free for blue badge holders.

Other city centre parking

The Light Car Park – 10 minute walk away

Wellington Street Multi Storey Car Park – 5 minute walk away

Kirkstall Road Car Park – 20 minute walk away

Train Station

If you’re travelling to us by train, we’re a ten minute walk or a short taxi ride away.

If you’re walking, exit the barriers in the station and turn left past the ticket office and out onto City Square.

Head straight over to Quebec Street with the Majestic on your left.

Turn right on King Street and cross over the road to Dirty Martini.

Continue down St Paul’s Street and cross over the road to Park Square East.

Turn left along the side of the park and enter the park in the middle.

Keep to the left hand side and follow the path around until you see Leeds Audiology Clinic straight ahead!

You can check out our video on Instagram here.

Leeds Audiology Clinic Park Square Leeds

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We think we’re fairly modest (if we do say so ourselves) but we are incredibly proud of our independent family-run business. We don’t blow our own trumpet often, but we feel like shouting about the excellent services we offer. If you’re stuck between independent vs high-street audiologists, then this blog might be for you!

Who are we?

Leeds Audiology Clinic is an independent family-run hearing clinic in the centre of Leeds.

Suffering from hearing loss from a young age, our Leeds born founder understands the importance of being able to hear well.

As a family business we pride ourselves on offering a warm and friendly environment, a high level of customer service and a personalised experience.

Our main goal at Leeds Audiology Clinic is to help those with hearing loss in a sensitive manner and upmarket environment. We understand the impacts of hearing loss and ensure we take time to reassure and help clients in every way we can. That means no rushed hearing tests, no pushy sales tactics and no long waits for appointments.

From the moment you step through the door, we aim to offer you a better experience to high-street retailers. We are here to listen and help you through your journey to better hearing.

You can learn more about our friendly team here.

How do we differ from the big high-street names?

We completely understand why people are tempted with high-street brands. Firstly, they’re convenient. If you’re already in the building for an eye test, then of course you’ll be interested in other services that they offer. They’re also constantly in the public eye. With a huge marketing budget you’ll see them on the telly, in magazines, on advertising boards and even hear them on the radio. But, bigger doesn’t always mean better and we’re here to highlight the positive of choosing a smaller, independent clinic. Leeds Audiology Clinic to be precise but other independent audiologists are also available!

Independent VS High-Street Audiologists, what’s the difference?

5-star service

Don’t just take our word for it! We have over 1,000 5-star reviews on Google, TrustPilot, Feefo, Yell, Facebook and more!

Still on the fence?

If you’re still unsure, why not get in touch or book an appointment?

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The first Wednesday in November is National Stress Awareness Day. The day gives us an opportunity to talk about the effects of stress and how we can manage it.

What is stress?

Stress is the body’s natural reaction to feeling threatened or under pressure whether this is real, imagined or perceived. When we’re stressed, our body releases adrenaline. This fight-or-flight response is meant to motivate us to act quickly and protect us from the threat either by confronting (fight) or escaping (flight) danger. You can read more about stress in our previous blog here.

What causes stress?

We’ve all experienced stress at some point in our lives, some more than others. The things that cause us stress and the level of stress we feel in a situation differs from person to person. Pressure at work, school or home, difficult life events or illness can all cause varying levels of stress. However, too much stress can have a negative impact on our mental and physical health and it can even affect our hearing.

What symptoms of stress can I look out for?

Stress can show up in a number of ways and symptoms can affect our physical and mental health. Everyone reacts to stress differently and the symptoms can show up in different ways for different people.

If you’re feeling stressed you may be:

Feeling irritable, angry or teary

Feeling worried, anxious, hopeless or scared

Struggling to make decisions or feeling overwhelmed

Suffering from headaches, muscle pains, chest pains and stomach pains

Feeling sick, dizzy or faint

Suffering from tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

How can I manage my stress this National Stress Awareness Day?

Being aware of and acknowledging our stress is a great first step to gain some control. Being prepared for periods of stress can make it easier to get through them. Knowing how to manage our wellbeing can help us to recover after a stressful event. If you’re struggling, you could make an appointment to see your GP or speak to a trusted friend/family member. Sometimes talking about stress can help you see the causes more clearly.

It’s also important to make time for yourself to feel less stressed and more relaxed. In order to feel better, ask yourself – what do you like to do? And if you’ve been feeling stressed for a long time and forgotten about relaxing – what did you used to enjoy before (even as a child)?

Activities such as:

Reading a book

Watching TV

Taking a bath/shower

Going for a walk

Enjoying time in nature

Listening to music, audiobooks or podcasts

Sleeping

Catching up with friends

Saying no things (it’s OK to say no and cancel things if you don’t feel up to it right now)

Engaging in a hobby

Cooking some food or baking

The activity shouldn’t really feel strenuous or make you feel more stressed. The more wholesome, the better!

National Stress Awareness Day Helplines

If you are struggling with stress and this is contributing to thoughts of suicide, you can contact Samaritans on 116 123 (free from any phone) 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

For a list of other mental health services and helplines, please look here.

The post National Stress Awareness Day appeared first on Leeds Audiology Clinic.

In the run up to the big C-Word (!), our wax removal service always gets busier. In previous years, we’ve had to turn people away due to high demand. We want to avoid that this year so have opened up a wax removal drop-in clinic.

The wax removal drop-in clinic currently runs on Tuesdays only from 7:30am until 12pm. There’s no need to book, just turn up!

What is Ear Wax?

Ear wax is a natural mix of oil, fats, sweat and dead skin found in the ear canal. It isn’t really a bad thing because it helps to protect your eardrum and ear canal ear against dust, dirt and bacteria. The secretions lubricate the ear canal and prevent the skin from becoming too dry. What’s really interesting though is that contents of ear wax changes from person to person based on diet, age and race.

What can cause it?

Unfortunately, some people just suffer from regularly blocked ears. This can simply be an over production of ear wax, narrow ear canals or dry skin. Some causes of earwax are:

Overproduction of ear wax

Narrow ear canals

Hairy ear canals

Dry earwax, (not much moisture in the secretion as you get older)

Bony growths in the ear canal can block the progress of ear wax

An awkward ear canal bend

Using cotton buds in the ear

Wearing hearing aids (pushing the wax back in)

Wearing in-ear headphones (same as above)

Do I need ear wax removal?

The most symptom of excess ear wax is dull hearing but other symptoms can include:

Earache (as the wax builds up and hardens, it can press against the ear canal causing pain)

Itchiness in the ear canal

Dizziness (ear wax blockage can occasionally cause dizziness and a feeling of unbalance)

Tinnitus (excess ear wax can give a sense of buzzing or ringing in the affected ear)

I think I need to visit the wax removal drop-in clinic. What should I do now?

Just turn up! The drop n clinic is open on Tuesdays from 7:30am until 12pm with no appointment needed.

On arrival, you will be greeted by one of our reception staff and asked to fill in a brief ear medical history and consent form.

An audiologist will take you through to one of our treatment rooms and begin the consultation. Using video-otoscopy your ears will be assessed first which you can watch on screen if you’re not too squeamish! The audiologist will explain the process throughout and advise whether wax removal is needed for one ear or both ears. Methods of wax removal that we offer are microsuction and water irrigation, the method used will depend on the amount and type of wax that you have. You’ll be in and out in less than thirty minutes!

If you would prefer not to use our wax removal drop-in service, you can book an appointment on your preferred date/time here.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

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We had a great time at this year’s Starkey Success Partner Seminar in the Cotswolds. The event is a great opportunity to network with other independent audiologists across the UK and to find out Starkey’s latest developments.

New Technology Coming Soon

Starkey are soon launching the Omega AI hearing aids. With improvements such as industry leading AI technology, 10x more durable waterproof coating and status indicator led light to name a few! We enjoyed an in depth talk and demonstration of the new technology.

Pictured below is an Omega AI hearing aid and receiver wire holding a 5kg dumbbell. This was a great visual example of how strong and durable these aids are.

The image below highlights the Omega’s waterproof feature. At the time the photo was taken, these aids had been submerged for around five hours. As shown in the photo, the green led lights were flashing meaning the aids were still working and could be detected on the app.

To learn more about the new Omega AI hearing aids, you can visit the Starkey website here.

A Patient Perspective

Our patients are at the heart of everything we do here at LAC. From the moment a patients walks in the door, we want to ensure that they receive the best care possible. It was great to hear from some real Starkey patients who have found benefits in the Edge and Genesis products. With one patient suffering from Ménière’s related hearing loss and another from noise-induced hearing loss, it was great to hear two different perspectives. As a hearing care provider, it’s really important that we put ourselves in the patients shoes and understand from their point of view. Learning about new technology is always exciting but we take real pleasure in seeing real life results and how these improvements have made a difference.

We really enjoy attending these industry events. Not only do we get to keep up to date with the latest technology on the market, but we also get to network with other independent audiologists from all over the UK. It’s so important that we provide the best hearing care we can and getting to share ideas with and learn from other independent’s is invaluable.

If you have any queries about hearing loss or hearing aids, please get in touch here.

Not sure if you need a hearing test? Check out our previous blog “Do I need a Hearing Test?“

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Oticon are one of the hearing aid manufacturers that we supply at Leeds Audiology Clinic. While carrying out your hearing aid research, it’s worth looking into Oticon Intent hearing aids as they might be the right for you.

Who are Oticon?

Oticon (also known as Demant) are the world’s second-largest hearing aid manufacturer. Hans Demant was inspired by his hearing-impaired wife. He bought a hearing instrument for her after learning that Queen Alexandra of England was wearing one at her 1902 coronation. In 1904 he won a contract with an American manufacturer and sold his first hearing aid in Odense, Denmark.

Oticon Intent hearing aids

“The world’s first hearing aid with user-intent sensors. Oticon Intent is something that’s never been seen in hearing care before: A hearing aid that can understand your intentions and help you achieve them.” Oticon’s BrainHearing approach means they develop hearing aids that support the brain’s natural way of processing sound.

Oticon Intent Features

Discreet design

Quick charging – up to a full day’s power in one hour or four hours of power in only 15 minutes

Better access to speech

Next generation BrainHearing technology

Water and dust resistant

Oticon Companion app

Can I try Oticon Intent hearing aids?

Of course! If you’ve been doing your research and are interested in Oticon Intent hearing aids, it’s worth trying them to see how they sound. Your hearing loss journey is unique to you and you may prefer the look or sound of one manufacturer over another. We recommend arranging an appointment with an audiologist to discuss the various options that are suitable for you. If you’re new to hearing aids, ask to look at a couple of different hearing aid options to compare. And, if possible, a trial is always a good idea that way you can experience the aid before committing to it.

Booking a trial

If you’d like to book a consultation or hearing aid trial with us, you can get in touch with us here.

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Widex are one of the world’s leading hearing aid manufacturers that we supply at Leeds Audiology Clinic. If you’re in the process of researching hearing aid options then Widex Allure hearing aids should be contenders.

Who are Widex?

They are a Danish company founded in 1956 by the Tøpholm and Westermann families. In 1995 they introduced the world’s first commercially available 100% digital in-the-ear hearing aid. Today, they pride themselves on delivering a more natural sound. They have a significant presence in the UK and their headquarters here are based in Cheshire.

Widex Allure hearing aids

“With a range of new and updated features, the Widex Allure platform is here to help you find the perfect balance between crystal clear speech and accurate understanding of environmental sounds. That way, you can enjoy natural sound quality and stay deeply connected to the world around you.” Widex are well known for their focus on natural sound. We find that people who have never worn hearing aids before often prefer the more natural sound Widex offers. However, everyone’s hearing loss journey is unique to them and we recommend trialling a couple of different hearing aid manufacturers to compare.

Widex Allure features

Speech Enhancer Pro
This feature has advanced noise management and sharper analysis. It’s preferred by 92% of users in noisy environments, delivering a better speech-in-noise experience.
Enhanced Sound Classifier
Smooth, automatic transitions across 11 sound classes allowing for consistent and stable sound that seamlessly adapts to the environment.
Adaptive Dynamic Feedback Controller
This feature adapts in real-time to the wearer and environment for effective feedback management.
Allure PureSound
This program enhances speech intelligibility in noise by 4.3dB for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Dedicated Streaming Compressor
This feature allows you to stream music, podcasts and more without distracting changes in volume or interference from external noise.
Widex Allure App
Seamless onboarding, easy customisation, improved accessibility features and more. The Widex Allure app is an excellent tool to gain more control over your hearing experience.

Can I try Widex Allure hearing aids?

Yes! We highly recommend arranging an appointment to trial the Widex Allure hearing aids. Doing so allows you to try the aids in your day to day life and see if they would improve your hearing experience with no obligation to buy. We offer two-week trials, for more information about this service and prices please contact the clinic here.

Think you might need hearing aids? Visit our previous blog “Do I need a Hearing Test?”. If you’d like to book an appointment to see one of our specialists, please get in touch!

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In August we visited the Leeds Rotary Club to talk about new hearing technology. You can find more about our visit here! We were joined by Starkey who talked about their Starkey Edge AI hearing aids.

Who are Starkey?

Hear better. Live better. Starkey started in America as a small hearing aid repair shop set up by Bill Austin in 1967. The company started manufacturing hearing aids in the 70s and has grown to one of the World’s leaders in hearing technology.

Starkey Edge AI

“From its pure, clean sound and dependable durability to its multiple health, wellness and convenience features, Starkey Edge AI puts you in control of each day.” Listening is a complex process that a normal-hearing brain handles effortlessly. When we have hearing loss, that process breaks down. Edge AI’s technology mimics the brain’s auditory cortex to help fix this broken process. It classifies complex soundscapes, enhances speech, and reduces noise in real-time using AI.

Starkey Edge AI Features

30% better speech identification
On-demand sound optimisation
Up to 51 hours battery life
Waterproof up to 1 metre
Fall detection
Translation
Discreet design
Apple watch controls
Improved comfort for all day wear
Improved Bluetooth connectivity for streaming calls, music and more

Can I try the Edge AI?

Yes! We highly recommend arranging an appointment to trial the Starkey Edge AI hearing aids. A trial allows you to try the aids in your day to day life and see if they would improve your hearing experience with no obligation to buy. We offer two-week trials, for more information about this service and prices please contact the clinic here.

If you’re not sure if you need hearing aids, you can visit our previous blog “Do I need a Hearing Test?” or book an appointment to see one of our specialists.

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It’s officially Autumn and what better time to fall into a world of better hearing and hear the sounds of Autumn?

Although we do love the Summer sun, Autumn is such a cosy season. It brings so many sounds that are just too good to miss!

Sounds we’re listening out for this Autumn

Autumn leaves

Watching the leaves change colour is not only a beautiful sight but also brings many sounds. Wrap up warm, get your boots on and head out for a walk. It won’t be long before you find a pile of crunchy leaves to rustle through.

Rainy Days 

Even on dreary days (and lets be honest, there’s a lot of them!) the sound of rain is one that we love to listen to. Whether it’s the relaxing white noise effect of a downpour or splashing around in puddles, rain brings so many sounds that are too good to miss.

Wind through the trees 

Not only does Autumn bring rain but it also brings wind and lots of it. We’ll be listening out for the sound of the wind whipping through the trees on Park Square, rustling the leaves and swaying the branches.

Birdsong 

Although Robins can be seen and heard throughout the year, they are easier to spot during the Autumn and Winter months and continue to sing to defend their winter territory. Fieldfares, Starlings and Sparrows are among some of the many birds that can be heard throughout Autumn and Winter. You can find more about autumn and Winter British garden birds here.

Halloween and Bonfire Night

Halloween and Bonfire Night are full of sounds not to be missed! Unless you don’t like trick or treaters or fireworks, then this one isn’t for you. There’s the sound of a crackling bonfire, crunching toffee apples, scary movies and the distant bangs, crackles and whistles of fireworks to name a few.

Do I need a hearing test?

If this is a question you’ve been asking yourself lately, then it’s worth arranging a hearing test. If you’re still unsure, check out our recent blog “Do I need a Hearing Test?“

If you’ve noticed a change in your hearing or are missing out on some of these Autumnal sounds, please get in touch to book a hearing assessment.

To book an appointment with us, please visit our contact page here.

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