**Please note that there is an updated article on the services we are currently providing during Coronavirus here**
At Hearing Aid UK, we want to reassure our customers that we are constantly monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely, taking the virus very seriously. Our audiologists already follow strict hygiene procedures, however, we have implemented greater health and safety guidelines to increase patient safety.
We are offering our usual full service, with some caveats. You are able to contact us online and by phone and can still arrange for hearing tests and for any service you need, however, we are limiting our clinic-based appointments and mainly focusing on a home visit service as this drastically reduces the risk of exposure to the virus.
Our network of audiologists are taking extra precautionary measures and we are keeping fully up to date with the government guidelines and are receiving regular updates for our healthcare professionals during this time. We are all in this together - so let's support each other.
We are currently facing a virus that we don’t fully understand and with that comes uncertainty. As the government and authorities try to tackle the threat and manage its spread, it is important that we protect our more vulnerable patients whilst continuing to prove the support they need. There are some key points to consider and it is important to remember that people with hearing loss may face different challenges to those who do not.
For those who have not had a hearing test before, here is a description of the hygiene side of the process.
Upon arrival and before proceeding with any tests or contact with you, the audiologist will scrub up and/or put on disposable medical gloves. Otoscopy involves touching your ears, as does placing the headphones on you in order to do the test. Once testing is complete the audiologist will again wash their hands and will not come into physical contact with you further.
All equipment is thoroughly cleaned using specialist medical cleaning products designed for the purpose, prior to being used for any other patient. This is standard practice for all audiologists anyhow so we are used to following a strict hygiene routine.
If you are faced with a problematic hearing aid and you have self-isolated yourself during this time, please remember that isolating yourself doesn't have to mean you should feel isolated - please call us or your local audiologist for any advice or support. We always want you to hear your very best.
The various hearing aid manufacturers have already brought in new procedures. For hearing aid repairs, it is usual that you would have to see an audiologist to diagnose the problem and for them to take the decision to send the aid into the manufacturer for a repair if needed. If you do not wish to see the audiologist in person, they are now allowing you to send the hearing aid directly into the relevant repair department yourself. Please do contact your audiologist first for them to guide you through the process.
Like with all hearing aid issues, there are a few things you can do at home. The first point of call is to check the wax guard. If this guard is blocked with wax – the sound generally can’t get through. For those who wear RIC hearing aids with a silicone end, take off the tip and check for any excess wax build-up and then check the wax guard.
If this is the case, then remove the current one and replace it with a new one. Once this is done you should see a huge difference in the sound you hear. If the problem isn’t resolved by doing this, then try changing the battery. Occasionally a new battery can be faulty and therefore not last as long as it should. If this step doesn’t work, then check the microphones on your hearing aids and check for any blockages there. If they seem to have gathered dirt – then brush this away.
If these ‘rule of thumb’ troubleshooting methods don’t work, please call us or your local audiologist to arrange for them to guide you. If you are concerned about social exposure, then we endeavour to look into other ways in which we can help solve your hearing aid issues.
During the last few years, this sort of hearing aid service has become more popular as a go-to hearing aid feature. The hearing aids of today, certainly in the last couple of years, should include remote telecare. You may want to call your audiologist to discuss activating this feature, as you might find it useful. However, you must keep in mind that using this digital service will not solve all hearing aid problems that may occur. It just means that some in-person appointments can be kept to a minimum.
If you would like to talk to one of our audiology experts about your up and coming appointment, your hearing aid issues or any other concerns, please call 0800 567 7621 and we will be happy to help you and put your mind at rest.
Our email - [email protected]
Our contact number – 0800 567 7621
Coronavirus update - World Health Organisation (WHO)
Audiology news for consumers - British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists (BSHAA)
Hearing Aid Maintenance - Hearing Aid Maintenance Tips From Our Experts
Earwax - The good and the bad: Everything you need to know about earwax
Audiologist Support - 7 Things an Audiologist Can Do For You
Home Visits - Six Reasons People Prefer Home Visits For Their Hearing Aid Care
Hearing Aid UK offer home visits to all of our clients – free of charge. Following recent advice from the government, we are recommending that clients do not travel to their audiologist’s clinic or shop. Our audiologist can and will come to you. As healthcare professionals, we continue to use best practices regarding hygiene in order to protect all our clients.
**We will update this article as and when we get new information from the authorities, government and the audiology industry**
When we refer to a product as 'New', we mean that the product is new to the market.
When we refer to a product as 'Superseded', we mean that there is a newer range available which replaces and improves on this product.
When we refer to a product as an 'Older Model', we mean that it is has been superseded by at least two more recent hearing aid ranges.