Life is then as it should be...
We accept all medical aids and will on your behalf deal with them and get all the correct authorizations and payment information.
Hearing Test
We do everything from hearing screenings to full diagnostic hearing test to find out if there is a problem, what type of problem and then what we need to do, to correct the problem. Normally a hearing test or first consultation will be an outer ear exam, with our video otoscope, patient can also then see how their own ear looks like, to make sure there are no blockages eg wax or foreign objects in the ear, is the ear healthy. Then an air conduction test, Bone conduction test and speech testing. The more information we have the better we can treat the hearing loss.
Hearing protection and Swim moulds
We specialise in leading custom hearing protection, passive and electronic solutions to best suit your needs. We also do custom swim moulds
Tinnitus
We can assist with tinnitus management, from explaining what it is, what causes it and how to manage it.
Hearing Instruments (Hearing Aids)
Supply and Fitting of Different brands and types and style of hearing aids, also different priced for everybody’s needs, all custom adjusted to the patients’ needs and hearing loss, all patients are different and we acknowledge that and form a bond with our patient, listening to them. Remember you are using and wearing the hearing instruments, so we have to listen to you.
Very important – the more you use it, the more you going to get used to it, the more you get used to it, the more you going to use it.
Hearing Aid Servicing
We can do some minor servicing on premises, replacing domes, retubings of earmoulds, changing of filters and so on. Any major repairs can be sent to any of our suppliers.
About Us
Hi my name is Jacques van der Merwe, your Hearing Health Care Provider.
In June 1991 I started working at Hearing Aid Centre as a Technician doing repairs on hearing aids, manufacturing custom hearing instruments and ear molds.
In 1995 I qualified as a Hearing Aid Acoustician, where I then practiced as a Hearing Health Care provider, while still working in the Hearing Aid Lab.
April 2006, I opened my own private practice in Michelle Ave, Randhart where I am still practicing.
My aim is to help people improve not only their hearing health but also their lives as it should be.
What is Hearing and How do We Hear?
Speech and sounds like cars, birds and so on, becomes sound waves. As sound waves travel, the ear collects them, they then travel down the ear canal to the eardrum. Sound then becomes mechanical as the eardrum starts to vibrate, then causes the three little bones or ossicles in the middle ear to move, that then starts to move the Cochlea, sound then becomes “electric”, the Cochlea contains a fluid and inner hair cells, as the Stapes puts pressure and vibrate against the cochlea, it creates waves in inner ear, that the hair cells pics up and sends the sound via electric signals to the brain.
What is hearing loss?
A hearing loss is when a person’s ability to hear is reduced, thus making it difficult to hear sounds but also hear and understand speech. It is extremely important if you or a loved one feels you have a hearing loss, to get a hearing test.
Causes, Early Symptoms of Hearing Loss
Anything from aging to genetic factors, noise exposure, chronic conditions, medications, head injuries, certain Illnesses, to simply the outer ear being blocked with wax can lead to a hearing loss.
When one starts to have trouble hearing or detecting certain sounds, like a tap dripping, car in the driveway, sounds like a microwave or fridge beeping, indicator of the car or difficulty understanding soft speech, may all indicate a hearing loss.
What type of hearing loss do I have?
There are three different types of hearing loss:
Sensorineural hearing loss or Nerve deafness occurs when the inner ear or to the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain has been damaged, the hair cells in the cochlea are damaged. Most often it is a high frequency hearing loss, and most often can’t be cured only be assisted with hearing instruments
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound can’t travel effectively to the inner ear, the outer ear is blocked with something, like wax, water or foreign object, if there is an infection in the outer ear or the middle ear. The eardrum could be damaged, or there are something wrong in the middle ear, an infection, build-up of fluid, one or all of the ossicles or middle ear bones are not moving as they should.
We will refer you to your GP or to an ENT for further treatment.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. You may have either one — or a combination of both.
What type of hearing loss do I have?
Evolution of Hearing Aids
Acoustic Era
1800s
At the turn of the 19th century, hearing devices were often shaped like trumpets, funnels or horns. Sounds were transmitted down a long tube to the patient’s ear. These bulky instruments evolved into devices that could be con-cealed into everyday items worn on the person such as fans, head- bands, beards and hairstyles.
Electric Era
1900s-1940s
During the early 20th century, hearing aids evolved into electri-cal devices. Early electric hearing aids were based on telephone technology from Alexander Graham Bell. A carbon-granule microphone, speaker, and large battery produced sound at greater levels, but they were still not powerful enough for people with severe to profound hearing losses.
Electronic Era
1930s
The introduction of vacuum tubes in the 1920s and 1930s was a major technological step in the evolution of electrical hearing aids. Vacuum tube hearing devices were very large and cumbersome, requiring two batteries to operate; however, they provided enough power to satisfy severe hearing losses. During the 1930s and 1940s, the miniaturization of vacuum tubes evolved into body-worn hear-ing aids that were portable, but still required the use of batteries not housed within the hearing aid.
Transistor Era
1950s
In 1942, the hearing aid was the first commercially available product to incorporate the transistor, even before the transistor radio. Cumbersome hearing aids were streamlined into smaller devices that could be worn on the ear or incorporated into eyeglasses. Transistor hearing aids only required one battery to operate and were sometimes disguised as transistor radios with earphones.
Programmable Era
1980s
By the 1980s, hearing aids contained microprocessors which allowed them to be smaller and fit inside the ear canal. These hearing aids were based on conventional circuits but could be programmed using a specially designed computer or a remote control device. Programmable hearing aids provided more flexibility to the fitter and allowed the wearer to control some of the settings.
Digital Era
1990s to present
Today, digital hearing aids perform complex sound processing at an extremely fast rate and with a high degree of precision. These intelligent hearing aids can reduce background noise and automatically adapt to different listening environments. Digital hearing aids offer more natural sound, increased flexibility,and greater customization for individual hearing losses.
Acoustic Era
1800s
At the turn of the 19th century, hearing devices were often shaped like trumpets, funnels or horns. Sounds were transmitted down a long tube to the patient’s ear. These bulky instruments evolved into devices that could be con-cealed into everyday items worn on the person such as fans, head- bands, beards and hairstyles.
Electric Era
1900s-1940s
During the early 20th century, hearing aids evolved into electri-cal devices. Early electric hearing aids were based on telephone technology from Alexander Graham Bell. A carbon-granule microphone, speaker, and large battery produced sound at greater levels, but they were still not powerful enough for people with severe to profound hearing losses.
Electronic Era
1930s
The introduction of vacuum tubes in the 1920s and 1930s was a major technological step in the evolution of electrical hearing aids. Vacuum tube hearing devices were very large and cumbersome, requiring two batteries to operate; however, they provided enough power to satisfy severe hearing losses. During the 1930s and 1940s, the miniaturization of vacuum tubes evolved into body-worn hear-ing aids that were portable, but still required the use of batteries not housed within the hearing aid.
Transistor Era
1950s
In 1942, the hearing aid was the first commercially available product to incorporate the transistor, even before the transistor radio. Cumbersome hearing aids were streamlined into smaller devices that could be worn on the ear or incorporated into eyeglasses. Transistor hearing aids only required one battery to operate and were sometimes disguised as transistor radios with earphones.
Programmable Era
1980s
By the 1980s, hearing aids contained microprocessors which allowed them to be smaller and fit inside the ear canal. These hearing aids were based on conventional circuits but could be programmed using a specially designed computer or a remote control device. Programmable hearing aids provided more flexibility to the fitter and allowed the wearer to control some of the settings.
Digital Era
1990s to present
Today, digital hearing aids perform complex sound processing at an extremely fast rate and with a high degree of precision. These intelligent hearing aids can reduce background noise and automatically adapt to different listening environments. Digital hearing aids offer more natural sound, increased flexibility,and greater customization for individual hearing losses.
ALERT
The Hidden Risks of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is frustrating for those who have it and for their loved ones. But recent research from Johns Hopkins reveals that it also is linked with walking problems, falls and even dementia.
Exploring the Link Between Hearing Loss & Dementia
Researchers are finding increasing evidence of links between hearing loss and dementia, according to a new study. What do we know about this connection, and how does this affect people with hearing loss?
How Hearing Loss Affects Your Memory
Could hearing loss be making you forgetful? Find out how and why hearing loss affects your memory function now.
FAQ
After I purchase hearing aids, will there be any additional costs?
Six Follow-up hearing care visits over two months are included in the purchase price of your hearing devices, this includes adjustments and check-ups.
Batteries and consumables will be available at a minimal cost price.
Repairs – While the hearing aid has a warranty for a period 1-3 years, depend on the brand and style. We can do minor repairs, but any major repairs will be sent to the suppliers.
What will happen during your visit?
.Congratulations
By making an appointment to seek help, you’ve accomplished the most important and maybe most difficult step of your way to better hearing.
Listening
We need to know your thoughts and feelings about your hearing, how it effects your life, and your expectations about possible solutions.
Examination
Using the latest technology, we perform a thorough examination of your ears for any physical conditions that might be caused for further medical evaluation.
Testing
Based on the examination, we likely perform a variety of hearing tests. Your response to tones, words, and other stimuli will help us quantify your hearing range.
Recommendation
After a detailed explanation of exam and test results, we will recommend the most appropriate course of action and rehabilitation process.
Fitting
If our recommendation includes hearing instruments, we’ll likely begin the fitting process by making moulds of your ears for the customized part of the instruments
We will Go The Extra Mile To Give You Personalized Attention & Treatment.
Great and realistic expectations.
Patience and practice – Part one.
Don’t expect too much too soon. Relearning to hear with amplification takes time. You will have to practice hearing and listening skills you probably haven’t used in years.
Sound Quality.
Your instruments amplify the specific frequencies that you need for better understanding. Many sounds, even your own voice, will sound different until you get used to the amplified sound.
A good fit.
You may experience minor physical sensitivity in the first few days as your ears get used to the instruments. It is advisable to see your hearing aid practitioner if you experience persistent irritation or inflammation.
Take good care.
Your instruments must function in hot, moist, and oily conditions. Daily cleaning and proper maintenance is vital to their long term survival.
Patience and practice – part two.
Due to the fact that your instruments’ controls are smaller than other regularly handled items, insertion, removal, changing of batteries and adjustment will take practice, too.
The right attitude.
Don’t let others’ experiences with amplification – good or bad – influence you. Your success will depend on your positive attitude and commitment.
What hearing instrument?
Our hope for you is that your instruments become so comfortable that you actually forget that you have them on.
Do Hearing Aids restore your hearing back to normal?
Hearing Aids can help people regain some of their hearing loss through clever processing and sound amplification but cannot completely restore a person’s hearing abilities.
Hearing aids are constantly being improved to provide better quality hearing experience, to make them more comfortable and less visible. Your hearing will improve, and the hearing aid can help to regain your hearing ability, this all depends on the type and extent of your hearing loss.
How offen do I need to come in for assessment or adjustment?
A person needs to come in for assessments or adjustments any time you realise there is something wrong or not 100% happy.
We also advise all our patients to come in for a yearly hearing test, so that we can make sure the hearing loss has not got worst, and also to keep the hearing instrument updated and adjusted.
Hearing Aid Myths That Hold people Back.
If you have hearing loss, don’t let the following myths keep you from getting help.
“My hearing’s not that bad.”
“I can still hear people if they talk loudly and not whisper”, “my family talks while they walk away”, “people are not looking at me when they talk”. These are some of the most common excuses people will use when it comes to their hearing. Studies have found that people will normally wait up to 5 – 10 years before they will realize that they have a hearing problem and then wait up to 5 years before they do something about it. As discussed above, please consider the health-related issues for waiting to long to get help.
“Wearing hearing aids means I’m old, and I’m not ready for that.”
Pretending you don’t have a hearing loss is more noticeable, Yes although most people with a hearing loss, start to loose their hearing when the get older, it can vary from person to person. The most important factor to consider is the longer you wait the more difficult it is to get used to the hearing aid and the sound, but also their might be other health issues. As discussed above, please consider the health-related issues for waiting to long to get help.
“I don’t like the way hearing aids look.”
Todays hearing instruments are designed to fit more comfortable and are also designed to look more ergonomically.
“I heard that hearing aids are difficult to use.”
There is a getting used to period as you—and your central auditory system and brain—adjust to life with hearing aids. You will hear new sounds, eg your footsteps, birds, aircon, and all sorts of sounds, but as the brain gets used to the sounds, the brain will filter them out. The feel of the hearing instruments will also get better, as with new shoes, the fit does become more comfortable.
But you have to come back on a regular basis, so that we can adjust and change the domes or fit, to suite you, as you are wearing and using them.
“Hearing aids cost too much.”
Yes the price of hearing instruments can be very high but it depends on the model of hearing instruments. Some medical aids covers, from a portion, to the full cost of the hearing instruments. We will assist with your medical aid and contact them on your behalf. We have from economical price hearing instruments to high technological advanced high-priced hearing instruments to fit most people’s budgets.
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Let us help you live life the way it should be.