Kia ora all and welcome to our June Newsletter for 2023 - how are we half way through the year already?!

In this newsletter, we bring you:

• Our June spotlight - Grant Hopkins
• A special dinner invitation
• The lowdown on hearing loss and dementia
• An update on our new space

Tell us about yourself (interest, work, anything interesting, etc.)

I am married with a grown up family, now enjoying the joys of being a grandparent. I worked in the IT/telecommunications industry mainly in sales and leadership roles. We live on a lifestyle block in Coatesville, so there is plenty of work to keep us busy. I’m an avid supporter of NZ sailing, especially Emirates Team New Zealand.

Tell us about your hearing loss and when you first noticed it

My hearing loss has been gradual over a number of years. In work situations, I found large meetings frustrating and hard to hear. In restaurants or similar settings, only being able to hear those next to me. In one-on-one conversation, sometimes not understanding, especially if you are not looking directly at the person you are talking with. COVID and mask-wearing made it even harder - you don’t realise how much lip reading you do to support poor hearing. 

Prior to getting a hearing aid, how did your hearing loss impact your life?

I didn’t think hearing loss was really impacting my life much, but now looking back, I was stubborn not acknowledging that it was - I should have done something 10 years ago. You don’t know what you are missing out on until you experience the profound difference hearing aids make.

At what point did you realise you needed to do something about your hearing? 

My wife was the one who pushed me to get my hearing checked. I went along for a check at Hobsonville Hearing, with the expectation of maybe needing a wax clean. Abby quickly dismissed wax as being my issue and gave me a full hearing test. Through the test, I thought I had done well, only to be shocked when Abby told me I had poor hearing in the mid and upper frequencies. When she put a pair of demo hearing aids on me, it was like someone had turned the lights on - I didn’t know what I had been missing. 

Did you do any research about hearing solutions before coming to Hobsonville Hearing?

Not really, but between the initial hearing test and my first consultation with Abby, I did my homework. The biggest surprise to me was that addressing hearing loss reduces fatigue, can help reduce tinnitus and help to prevent dementia, so don’t just accept hearing loss. My recommendation to anyone is talk openly to Abby as she is very informed and can simplify the choices. There are many brands and styles to choose from and the biggest advantage I found with Hobsonville Hearing is they don’t push any brand over the other, but give you a fair assessment of the different strengths and weaknesses of each brand. I did check this with the larger hearing chains and they don’t offer the same independence and tend to push their preferred option rather than what is best. Hobsonville Hearing's approach simplifies choices and pricing, which is competitive, while offering a fully personalised service. 

Tell us about your hearing aid journey and how it has impacted your day-to-day life

There are a few clear stages that you go through. The first step is acknowledging there is an issue and getting your hearing tested. Then the next hurdle is coming to grips with the idea of using hearing aids, getting over your preconceived misconceptions. The technology today is small, discrete and very capable, in most cases unnoticeable by others. Once you start, the journey of adjusting to using hearing aids is made easier by Abby. Being able to hear will open the world up to you again, communicating will be easier, you will notice many things you don’t realise that you are missing, bird song, rain sounds, beach waves, informative beeps such as the washing machine or fridge door and of course, new rattles in your car. 

What advice would you give to people seeking treatment for hearing loss? 

My advice is just get started - you won’t regret it. The team at Hobsonville Hearing is the best place to start. There is no hard sell, just great support and advice. 

Thank you so much, Grant, for sharing your perspective. It was a pleasure working with you!

Over the last couple of months, we have had the pleasure of helping a lovely couple from Iran with their hearing. Before they head home, they insisted that Abby and her partner, Scott come over for a traditional Iranian dinner. It was humbling and interesting learning about life in Iran and we talked and joked the entire evening despite the language barrier. The food and especially the rice was delicious! 

There has been a lot of recent media attention highlighting the link between hearing loss and dementia and scientific research continues to investigate the causes and how they can be mitigated. In a recent episode for RadioNZ, University of Auckland Audiology Professor, Grant Searchfield discusses the connection between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline. With an ageing population, the number of dementia patients is set to double within the next two decades.

Key points from Dr. Searchfield:

• People with normal hearing or hearing normalised through the use of hearing aids, have better cognition in comparison to people who have hearing loss and do not use hearing aids
• 67% of people who would like to get hearing aids feel that cost is a barrier
• If we have a hearing loss, or we socially isolate, then that system isn't being exercised and it's a case of "use it or lose it"
• With hearing aids, we make more sound audible and we engage more and that means that the brain is being exercised more
• A Lancet report was released in 2020 that identified that around about 50-60% of dementia is genetic
• Therefore, 40-50% of dementia cases are modifiable and the number one modifiable cause of dementia is hearing loss
• 8% of all cases of dementia could potentially be eliminated if we didn't have hearing loss
• Our brains code and decipher information all the time. As we get older and if we lose hearing, it doesn't receive as much information and it gets bored
• Hearing is a key component for exercising the brain - it is the aural equivalent to cross words and sudoku

Newshub also featured a program recently 'What Kiwis can do to prevent and treat dementia', featuring an interview with University of Otago Psychologist Dr Owen Jones. We have included part of the clip below.

What can you do to keep your ears and brain healthy?

• Undergo regular hearing tests to monitor your hearing. Dr Searchfield recommends at least every 2-years from the age of 55
• Trial hearing aids. Remember, hearing aids at Hobsonville Hearing start from $490 a pair with the government subsidy and you can get funding support through WINZ, ACC, Veterans Affairs and other schemes
• If you have hearing aids, wear them consistently. If you have hearing aids and are unhappy with them, book in for a comprehensive hearing aid review with Abby

Many of our patients have reported an improvement to their memory and cognition during their hearing aid trial. The effects of well fitted hearing aids on your overall well-being can be huge!

We officially have a wall! Our new space has been divided, ready to go for the fit-out, which will take about 3-months. Stay tuned...

As always, we are here to help you with all of your ear-related needs:

• Visit our website at www.hobsonvillehearing.co.nz
• Email us on [email protected]
• Call us on 09-930-9880

Or visit our clinic during our opening hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5pm.

You received this email because you signed up for Hobsonville Hearing.

Unsubscribe