How will I be able to hear when everyone around me is wearing a mask?

There is no prescriptive set of steps I can give you to deal with hearing loss in the new reality, but I can discuss some of the issues people are facing as they navigate this strange and different world. Take comfort in the fact that you are not alone in this situation.

For the average person, trying to interpret muffled sounds, during even the simplest of interactions, is a sudden and awkward experience. For some of us, this is not a new battle and now, we may even have an advantage. Now, when we need to ask a speaker to repeat themselves, there will be no strange reaction to a request they receive numerous times each day. 

On the other hand, we may need to redouble our efforts. We can no longer use the skill of reading lips. Where mouths are covered, it is now doubly difficult to penetrate the sound barrier on which an extra layer has been added, inadvertently. But, while it is scary for us, we do have some experience in this realm. For the person without previous hearing difficulties, it can feel overwhelming to suddenly face a hearing loss of any type.

Where there’s a “mask”, there’s a way

In a 180 degree turnaround from my previous point, while the average facial covering does distort a person’s speech, there is an innovative new design which allows an audience to see the mouth of the speaker. In this way two senses (sight and sound) combine to interpret conversation. At Tami Mehl Audiology, we have made available, to you, a cutting-edge model. The mask, which fills all safety requirements (washable, reusable, 3-ply, etc.) has an exceptional advantage. The clear mouth piece puts this design far ahead of the average.  You’ll not only “see” what a speaker is saying, you’ll also “see” what they are feeling. Ask the professionals at Tami Mehl Audiology for more information. You don’t need to be a patient to get one of these.


To test or not to test, is no longer the question

Even with an innovative mouth shield, there may still be struggles. So now, more than ever, you must be sure that your hearing is at its optimal level to facilitate your journey through what is no longer a normal situation. It is imperative to have a regular hearing test. If you’re considering having your hearing tested for the first time, now is the perfect opportunity to have this check. Like many, you may have found yourself with some extra time available to attend a consultation. If you feel concerned about your hearing, ask the professionals. It might be the natural consequence of a mask-filled world, but perhaps there is an underlying weakness that you were not aware of before. 

I want to go for an examination, but I am worried about contracting Covid-19 at the audiology practice.

This is a valid concern today when we’re constantly looking over our shoulders for any possible virus carrier. We double-check the necessity of leaving the relative safety of our homes each time we go out. Be assured, the premises of Tami Mehl Audiology meet the highest level in health safety. This means that all consultation spaces, and examination instruments, constantly meet the hygiene protocols required by our government and the health profession's council. Many hours of research were undertaken before investing in the premier PPE required to offer you the greatest assurance of a secure and healthy environment. 

PPE? I hear this a lot, but what does it mean and how is it relevant to me during my consultation?

PPE is Personal Protective Equipment and it refers to the kit the audiologist and other staff members wear, in order to protect you against any health risk. This “uniform” includes a face mask and/or a shield, regular hand washing and sanitising, and gloves for contact procedures. We are also wearing surgical scrubs for extra protection.   We have installed protective screens at our reception counters in  our waiting rooms.  

Will this appointment be vastly different to what I have been used to?

Change is unsettling. Everything in our current world is in flux. Certain procedures at the rooms have been altered. This is not a cause for concern. Instead, see it as a guarantee that your safety is of paramount importance to your audiologists.  

So, what is new? Patient bookings are now separated by 15-minute intervals. During this time, personnel sterilise all equipment and surfaces. Be comforted by the fact that staff wash their hands, according to the strictest rules, between every patient consultation. Hand sterilisation also takes place multiple times during appointments.

What else I should be prepared for?

The audiologist will screen you before you an appointment. That sounds more like the preparation for an audition, but really, what it means, is that your audiologist will ask you a standard set of questions relating to  possible COVID-19 symptoms and regarding possible exposure to someone who has, or has had, the virus. The questions are to ensure the safety of both you and the consultants. In fact, this might not even be new to you. There are several situations where you may have encountered a pseudo-examination of this type or that you will probably face in the future.

Sign on the dotted line…

One change that you might not expect is that you, as a new or existing patient, will be required to sign a declaration confirming your responses to the screening before you can commence your appointment.

And wash your hands… (before and after)

It’s the current sound byte, everywhere you turn…Sanitise! When you’re asked to sanitise your hands on arrival at the rooms, it means every client that has preceded you has been asked to do the same.

A mask –not for a ball

One thing that is no longer “novel” for anybody these days (although I must admit to smirking a bit when they made their debut), is a face mask. It’s the law to wear a mask each time you leave your home. It’s also a regulation you’ll need to adhere to when you come for your consultation. We love to see all the different masks out there! A mask is now a fashion statement.

Make an appointment now. Please contact us on @BRANCHPHNE.


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