Recent Articles
Binaural streaming for telephones
We love to keep you up to date with new developments in hearing aids, and we think this is something worth telling you about. For those of you who struggle to hear on the telephone, this might be just the help you need.
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Signal processing in hearing aids
Signal processing can be described as what happens inside a hearing aid after a sound has been detected by the microphone, and before it is delivered to the receiver (or loudspeaker).
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Microphone directionality in
hearing aids
A microphone is an essential component in all hearing aids. It picks up sound from within the environment and converts it to an electrical signal which can then be processed by the hearing aid. You may have heard that it is best to have directional hearing aids, and this article aims to explain what directionality is, and why it will benefit you.
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Cerumen impaction
Although cerumen (ear wax) impaction was discussed
in an earlier issue of our newsletter, it remains a popular topic in the
clinic. As we frequently answer questions on wax build-up, we thought it
was time for some revision.
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Ménière’s Disease
There are many different causes of hearing loss,
ranging from presbyacusis (aging changes) to middle ear disease (for
example perforations of the eardrum). In a previous issue of our newsletter
we discussed otosclerosis, the abnormal growth of bone in the middle
ear.
Read More...
Restaurants in Auckland
where are the places to be and be heard?
Many of our clients experience difficulty hearing
their friends and family in restaurants, bars and cafes. Contemporary
trends in architecture and design have led to restaurants becoming noisier than
ever before.
Read More...
Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is the abnormal growth of bone in the middle ear. It usually affects
the stapes bone, which rests in the entrance to the inner ear (the oval window).
As the disease progresses, the stapes becomes fixated in the oval window and
this interferes with sound waves passing to the inner ear.
Read More...
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is defined as the perception of sound in
the absence of a source of sound outside of the head. The term tinnitus is
derived from the Latin word tinnire, meaning to tinkle or ring.
Read More...
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Hearing Aid Resources
Newsletters
Click on the links below to download
our Newsletters.
2010 Winter Newsletter (4 pages)
(1mb
pdf file) 
2010 Autumn Newsletter (4 pages)
(1mb
pdf file)
2009 Summer Newsletter (4 pages)
(1.7mb
pdf file)
2009 Spring Newsletter (4 pages)
(1mb
pdf file)
Hearing Articles
Changes: ACC and Health Funding
In the past two weeks, the government has made significant changes to the funding available to those with noise-induced hearing loss, and to those working people with hearing loss. A brief summary is below. Make an appointment with an audiologist to discuss in more detail.
ACC
ACC plans to provide support only to those people whose hearing loss that is accountable to noise exposure is 6% or more. The new law changes mean that hearing loss below
this threshold will not be treated by ACC as
an injury.
There is very concerning as there is much evidence that having a hearing loss of less than 6% impacts on the professional and social lives of those affected.
These law changes are very recent, and ACC has not clarified yet how they will handle existing claims. It is possible that even if you have an existing claim, you may not be entitled to support for your hearing loss from ACC in the future.
HEALTH FUNDING
Changes have also been afoot for funding for those who don’t fall under the ACC or War Pensions umbrella.
The government has decided that those who work or study (if over 21), who were previously eligible for a significant portion
of their hearing aid funding, will instead will be eligible to receive a $500 subsidy for each hearing aid, every six years. This is a huge reduction in the support that the government is providing to working and studying
New Zealanders.
The exception to this is if you are a holder of a Community Services Card, in which case a significant portion of the hearing aids will be funded BUT, your audiologist will only
be able to select your hearing instruments from a limited range chosen by the Ministry of Health.
The good news is that if you have a hearing loss from childhood, sudden onset severe hearing loss in adulthood, a dual disability, or you are aged up to 21 and are studying, then you will be eligible for the larger funding option, but again the hearing instrument selection will be limited.
Everybody else will now be eligible for a Government Subsidy of $500, but it will only be available every six years, not every five years as previously.
At this stage it is our understanding that those people who have an AccessAble application approved, and are awaiting funding, will still be eligible under the old system.
The audiologists at Russell Hearing have grave concerns about the methods used by ACC to determine whether someone should be entitled to cover, and about the number of people who will now be excluded from receiving significant contributions to the cost of their hearing aids. Please be assured that the New Zealand Audiological Society, the National Foundation for the Deaf, and the Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association are working together to bring their views to
the attention of ACC and Ministry of Health
in the hope that this will help to create
a better solution for hearing impaired
New Zealanders.
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