The sound of festivities

During the festive season, it is a great time to organize a family gathering. The spirit of the holiday creates a warm atmosphere that you can use to bring your family together. It’s a great chance for all family members to do some catch up with each other after a busy year. It’s a time to bond. Everyone will be talking and laughing while sharing their stories. Don’t we all love such great moments? The key to a great bonding time is ‘communication’. Good communication allows everyone to listen and participate in the family gathering.

But have you thought why some members in the family feel nervous about the family gathering idea? You and your family might misunderstand some of these reactions by a family member such as isolation during a dinner conversation, feeling distant during the mingling sessions, etc.

Has it occurred to you that he/she might have a hearing problem? When someone feels that they can never catch up with what people are saying, they would feel left out and embarrassed. Gradually they will retreat into themselves and it will in the end affect their quality of life.

So what can you do? Instead of making your own assumptions, why don’t you bring your loved one for a hearing test? Sounds ridiculous? It’s not, here are some hard facts for you to consider.

A recently released British study demonstrates that many relationships are failing because of unmanaged hearing loss. The survey, of 1,500 hearing-impaired people over 55 revealed that:

•    Almost one in two (44% of people) said that relationships with their partner, friends or family had suffered because they can’t hear properly.
•    A third (34%) have lost touch with friends, and in some cases seen marriages fall apart, as a direct result of the breakdown in communication caused by hearing loss.
•    Two thirds (69%) said their hearing loss seriously hinders their ability to take part in everyday conversations with friends and family, causing 52% of those surveyed to feel left out and ignored in social situations.
•    Women (72%) were found to be more affected by social exclusion because of hearing loss than men
•    Almost half (49%) said that losing their hearing is the worst thing about growing old.

If you think that statistics above do not apply to Malaysians, think again. In Malaysia, according to the Institute of Public Health, one in every five Malaysians has hearing problems. This means a staggering figure of 5,400,000 Malaysians are experiencing hearing problems, with or without being aware of it. And hearing loss does affect a person’s lifestyle especially in relationships.

Just think for a second, if your loved one has an untreated hearing loss the notion of communicating loud and clear bites the dust. And, this happens more often than you think. We all take good hearing for granted until of course we start to lose it.

According to managing director of Clarisound Professional Hearing Care, Kieran McCarry, people with hearing problems probably know they have the problem at some level, but will not admit to having a hearing loss. “People often say “I can hear just fine”.Its everyone else that doesn’t speak clearly. But how far this argument can go when it is evident that you have to struggle to hear a conversation? Denial is a powerful impediment, and you should never give in to it, especially when your well-being and quality of life are concerned”.

So now, take action to save or strengthen your relationship among your family members this festive season by simply getting your free check at the nearest Clarisound outlet.

Clarisound is located in Kuala Lumpur (Lot S-068A, 2nd Floor, South Court, Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur); Bandar Utama (Lot F-17, 1st Floor, Centerpoint, call 03 – 7782 2482) and Penang (Lot 04-46, Plaza Gurney, Gurney Drive, Penang at 04 – 228 6303). For more information, contact Clarisound at 03 – 2282 1882.

About Clarisound Professional Hearing Care

Clarisound Professional Hearing Care retails the latest and most complete range of hearing instruments, designed to enhance and support the quality of life of its customers.

Clarisound prides itself on being not just a company that sells hearing aids, but a hearing loss solutions specialist, headed by a UK-trained hearing aid audiologist. Clarisound provides its customers with a one-stop location for all their hearing care needs with professional diagnostic and hearing care services, using state-of-the-art technology, in a modern and welcoming environment. Clarisound offers computerized hearing tests, hearing aid fittings, complete after-care services and the latest in digital hearing aid technology coupled with choice from a number of brands.

Clarisound’s point of difference, when compared to other hearing aid retailers, is its attention to service, the expertise of its personnel and its focus on providing the best possible customer experience through attention to detail, conducting proper fittings and ensuring effective customer follow-ups.

Originally part of the Goldis Bhd group of companies – Clarisound was purchased via a management buyout in 2008. It was founded in 2000 to set a new standard in hearing care in Malaysia which it continues to do today. Currently operating in three locations, Mid Valley Megamall in KL, Centerpoint, Bandar Utama and Gurney Plaza, Penang, the company intends to leverage on its position as an industry leader and open branches across Malaysia as well as overseas expansion into key markets.