 DECEMBER 19 • 2019 | 31

ISTOCK

For loved ones suffering from hearing loss, the gift of hearing 
is the best present you could give this holiday season.

BY ANDREA-WALKER LEIDY
W

ith the holidays 
approaching, you 
might be thinking 
about how to give a unique 
and meaningful gift. For 
those with loved ones suf-
fering from hearing loss, the 
holidays may be the perfect 
time to help them enjoy life 
to the fullest. 
“People don’
t often think 
about gifts that are unique 
to those with hearing loss,” 
says Hillary Wright, hear-
ing instrument specialist at 
Oakland Hearing Aid Center. 
“New or upgraded hearing 
aids may be one idea, but 

there are many accessories 
now available that are com-
patible with hearing aids.”
When an individual begins 
losing their hearing, the 
initial signs may be subtle. 
Loved ones may not engage 
in conversation, ask you to 
repeat yourself or they may 
seem to isolate themselves 
from others. Often, it’
s fam-
ily that notices these first 
signs. During the holidays 
when you’
re spending more 
time with loved ones, it’
s 
ideal to keep an eye out for 
these signs and encourage 
loved ones to see a hearing 
specialist. 
Oakland Hearing Aid 
Center offers free hearing 
screening as a part of the 
first visit to the office. This 
allows the provider to estab-
lish a patient’
s needs and 
make recommendations. 
Hearing aids are similar to 
intelligent computers, specif-
ically programmed to each 
individual’
s hearing loss. 
Along with the hearing aid 
itself, costs cover program-

ming and follow up visits for 
5 years. 
“It’
s important to develop 
a relationship with a hearing 
aid provider,” says Colleen 
Newman, audiologist at 
Oakland Hearing Aid Center. 
“We work regularly with our 
patients to ensure that their 
device continues to fit well 
and are working appropri-
ately.”
Whether during the holi-
days or into the new year, it’
s 
always a good time to find 
out if loved ones suffering 
from hearing loss are using 
the latest technology to con-
nect with their hearing aids. 
Both Newman and Wright 
work with patients and their 
loved ones to find the right 
hearing aids and devices to 
make life more enjoyable. 
Individuals suffering from 
hearing loss are able to con-
nect with family and friends 
once again after they are 
fitted with hearing aids. That 
gift is priceless and lasts for 
years.

ISTOCK

SPONSORED BY OAKLAND HEARING AID CENTER

Giving the 
 Gift of Hearing

OAKLAND HEARING AID CENTER 
28300 Orchard Lake Road 
Suite 101 
Farmington Hills, MI 48334 
3555 W. 13 Mile Road 
Suite 200 
Royal Oak, MI 48073 
Phone for both locations: 
(248) 865-3327 
www.oaklandhearingaid.com

Colleen Newman and Hillary Wright

PHOTO BY LINDSAY SANTILLI

Hearing aid and 
hearing accessory 
gift ideas include:

TV STREAMERS: 
Wireless integrated systems that pair 
with hearing aids to transfer sound to 
an individual’s hearing device. 

PARTNER MICS: 
Bluetooth devices that clip to a speaker 
and transfer directly into an individual’s 
hearing aid. They are ideal for talking 
at longer distances.

ELECTRIC HEARING AID 
DRYERS: 
Use a fan or heater to dry and remove 
moisture that can cause bacteria in a 
hearing aid.

BATTERIES: 
A great gift for those who use dispos-
able batteries, or give an extra charger 
for those who use rechargeable.

