Hearing aid rings a Bell on bluetooth

Many people with hearing issues are unaware they can now receive phone calls through their hearing aids using new bluetooth technology, according to Geraldton audiometrist Sarah Bell.

“People love it, if they are in their car or at home within 10m of their phone they can answer it through their hearing aids,” she said.

“The hearing aid rings in your ear, when the phone rings it makes a really pleasant little jingle. And you can connect to your television too.”

Ms Bell, pictured, said the service was available free to pensioners and veterans.

“There is a Medicare-funded department for hearing services called the Hearing Services Program and you get free hearing aids through that program as well,” she said.

Ms Bell said it was unwise simply to buy a hearing aid on the internet when free help was available through services such as her own.

“People can come in and have support on how to use hearing aids, how they’re fitted, how to take care of them and ongoing counselling as well,” she said.

“It’s a huge challenge to achieve hearing rehabilitation and it’s much more involved than just putting hearing aids in your ears.”

Originally from Canada, Ms Bell has 10 years’ experience as an audiometrist in Geraldton having trained at Hearing West and later working for Connect Hearing.

She opened her own independent audiology clinic, Bell Hearing, in Geraldton yesterday in Hermitage Street opposite St John of God Hospital.

“The really cool thing is I’m the only independent locally-owned clinic in Geraldton,” Ms Bell said.