Expert hearing loss advice in Athlone

Michael O'Neill is a firm believer in caring for his customers. With over 15 years experience as a practising hearing aid audiologist, Michael O'Neill, BC-HIS, MIHS (of O'Neill Hearing Care Clinic - recently opened at Newtown Medical Centre - Dr Lowry's Medical Centre in Athlone), has for the past five years managed and operated a successful branch clinic in Galway city. And now Michael has brought his service of expert advice and support for anyone affected by hearing loss, from users to parents and relatives, to Athlone. O'Neill Hearing Care Clinics - which also operates clinics in Medical Centres in Galway, Mountbellew, Ballinasloe, Gort, and Loughrea, as well as Athlone - carry a complete range of Hearing Aids and Accessories from the three leading manufacturers (Oticon Ltd., PC Werth (Widex), and Starkey Laboratories, while Michael is qualified to test human hearing, select, fit, counsel patients, and dispense hearing instruments. Michael, who proclaims O'Neill Hearing Care Clinic's prices will not be matched for the same products, explained how he became interested in this particular area of expertise. "For many years I was involved in banking, with foreign exchange dealing in London, and then when I returned to Ireland in 1983 worked in the Post Office for six or seven years. But I always thought there was something else I could do," said Michael, who is a member of the Irish and International Hearing Society, and is certified by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences. "I knew somebody who was in the business of hearing aids, and I spent a few days working with him. I thoroughly enjoyed it and got a real feel for it. I then studied intensively and passed all the relevant examinations, and things have gone from strength to strength in recent years," said Michael. Including home visits (which can be arranged by appointment), Michael is available for consultation in Newtown Medical Centre on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month (9.30am - 5pm). Among other things, they offer a free fully comprehensive hearing test, demonstrations with the most up-to-date hearing technology (with no obligation to purchase), and hearing technology that's available for all types of lifestyles. "Most hearing losses occur gradually, allowing the problem to develop without the awareness of the sufferer. We may have impaired hearing, but perceive this to be the way everyone else hears," Michael said. "A hearing aid does more than helps you hear. It also helps your brain remember the sounds you cannot hear without a hearing aid. Untreated, hearing loss affects your quality of life, but it also hampers the brain's ability to remember common everyday sounds because the hearing channels are no longer effectively used," he explained. "Doing something about your hearing is not difficult though," he continued. "If you suspect a hearing problem, call to one of O'Neill Hearing Care Clinics for a comprehensive hearing evaluation to determine your style and degree of hearing loss. After determining the exact nature of your hearing loss, we present you with various solutions. Your lifestyle and personal preference are considered to make sure you get the best possible hearing solution based on your style and degree of hearing loss, as well as your listening needs. After you have decided on a suitable solution (either one or two hearing devices), your hearing aids will be fitted and tested to assure they are performing optimally." Michael has been running his own business for over three years, and is "very satisfied" with the progress of his Hearing Care Clinic. "We work very closely with GP Practises, and we feel this is the way forward," said Michael. "It allows us the opportunity to refer patients to GP's, if we detect a medical problem which is linked to a hearing difficulty. I located a Care Clinic in Athlone after several doctors recommended me to the Newtown Medical Centre. I was privileged to do so, and it's been going reasonably well for us in Athlone. I think it's hugely important to relate to the customer, and give them the very best possible care. We also like to give people a service that lasts them for a long period. We purposefully teach people how to use hearing aids and how to place them on and off, how to maintain, clean and change batteries, and we schedule two weekly follow-ups to make adjustments and progress your adaption to amplification, assuring complete satisfaction with the hearing aids. We then schedule further follow-up appointments as required, with four to six monthly reviews suggested to ensure hearing aids are performing to their maximum abilities," he added. "One ear working less effectively than the other can have a significant impact on daily activities. Hearing with one ear is like trying to see with one eye - it's possible but not as effective. Our sense of hearing actually occurs in the brain. Taking input from both ears, our natural 'built-in signal processor' blends the signal into a single, complete sound picture. To enjoy true balanced sound perception, both ears must be receiving evenly. Without such equality, our brain is presented with incomplete information. When hearing with both ears, the brain can dampen background noise, placing it out of focus and providing the freedom to choose what we listen to. Depending on your hearing loss, you may not have to work as hard to hear effectively in certain situations," Michael said. "Even if hearing loss is mild, binaural hearing devices can provide valuable and significant improvements. With improved ability to hear correctly, stress is reduced and you will experience a relaxation of listening effort. With both ears providing input, less amplification may be required to achieve a comfortable listening level. Hearing equally from both sides means you're capable of responding accurately and confidently, regardless of where or when conversation occurs," he added. Michael is available for consultation at his clinics in Athlone, Galway, Mountbellew, Ballinasloe, Kinvara, Gort and Loughrea. All consultations are by appointment only. Please ring 091 862 220, or e-mail michael@oneillhearingcare.ie for appointment availability.