Helping to improve the quality of life of the midlands for ten years

'Even though trends are changing in terms of health and safety in the workplace, it"s surprising how hearing issues can creep up on people over the years. It"s vital that people with any worries in this regard should contact us as early as possible about a free hearing test,' says Irene Dunne, Hearing Aid Audiologist at Discreet Hearing which is based in Inis Oir, Golden island, Athlone. Discreet Hearing prides itself on being able to provide the smallest hearing aids in the world and Irene is part of an expert team which, over the past ten years, has developed an outstanding reputation for professionalism, value for money and complete client satisfaction. A native of Dublin, Irene moved to the UK in the 80"s where she worked in the manufacturing industry in Nottingham. 'In those days everyone was moving away from Ireland looking for work, and I suppose I was the same,' she says. But after ten years away, Irene decided it was time to move home and eventually found herself in the midlands, where her parents are now also based. 'Basically, my parents went on a cruise down the Shannon and decided that they wanted live in Athlone as they liked it that much!' she says. 'I moved down here too to be near them and started working in Discreet Hearing in 2001. I"m now living in Moate with my ten year old daughter which is great as it"s very close to work here.' Although primarily based in Golden Island, Irene and her fellow Audiologists at Discreet Hearing can find themselves travelling throughout the region to assist clients. Discreet Hearing"s success has seen it extend its services with a new office in Mullingar as well regular clinics held throughout the midlands and the west of Ireland. 'We have clinics in areas such as Birr, Longford, Boyle, Castlebar, Moate, Tuam and Roscommon - right across the region. We"re always available here in Athlone for appointments though,' Irene adds. Providing cutting edge technology and the finest hearing aids in the world, Discreet Hearing"s new premises provides the perfect environment for clients with excellent nearby parking facilities ensuring a stress free visit to Discreet Hearing every time. Larry Kenny is a qualified hearing aid consultant with 30 years experience in the profession. Larry established Discreet Hearing in the midlands as he found it the ideal base to provide quality hearing care in terms of both in-house and in serving the surrounding counties. 'Larry has worked very hard down the years to establish Discreet Hearing as one of the leading hearing aid companies in the country and is looking forward to taking a well earned rest when he retires later on this year,' Irene who is joined in the Discreet Hearing team by experienced Hearing Aid Audiologists Richard Dunne and Phil Kenny as well as Judy Kelly, who looks after Customer Services. Discreet Hearing employs state of the art technology such as a video otoscope, which allows the Audiologists to look into a person"s ear to ensure that there are no apparent medical problems, ie ear drum perforations or ear infections, in which case they will recommend a visit to their GP. As well as this, they also provide Tympanometry, which is used to analyse middle ear function in children as well as adults. 'Our hearing aid technology is significantly more advanced than what is currently available from the health service,' says Irene, who also points out that, with the current health service set-backs, members of the public can be left waiting for up to two years for hearing aids. All in-the-ear hearing instruments at Discreet Hearing are prescription built for each client with the most advanced hearing technology and clients can be fitted within one week. Discreet Hearing"s Audiologists also make free home visits to those unable to travel into Athlone and cover Westmeath, Offaly, Longford, Roscommon, Leitrim and Tipperary. 'It"s all part of the service, it"s important to offer people real value and service, especially with the current economic situation.' This service includes special offers across their entire range for all hearing aid users, PRSI grants available for up to 50% of the cost of a hearing aid, up to a maximum of €760 per aid, free aftercare, two year guarantees, free batteries and, of course, free hearing tests. More than half those suffering from hearing loss are below the age of 65 and indeed, Discreet Hearing covers a broad spectrum of age groups, with their youngest client being four years old to their oldest at 98. As mentioned, Discreet Hearing also offers free after care service for life which puts many people"s minds at rest as they know they will be looked after. Catching the problem early Approximately 17% of the population have hearing problems, of which only 4% bother to take any action. It doesn"t cost anything to have your hearing checked but it could make a huge difference to the quality of your life. 'We would just recommend that people at least have any potential problems tested,' says Irene. Particularly at risk are those who work in noisy environments and failing to use ear muffs or plugs can result in permanent damage and problems for the remainder of their lives. There are a number of signs of hearing loss, which include shouting during conversation, turning up the TV too high, withdrawing from social contact or misunderstanding conversations. Once detected, the vast majority of people can be helped. Modern hearing aids, whilst not able to restore full hearing can, however help a person to get the most listening enjoyment out of the hearing they still have. 'Technologies are also improving all the time and we"re very aware that it"s important to keep with the times,' adds Irene, highlighting Discreet Hearing new range of state of the art hearing aids. These include the iCom communication interface which connects you directly to every entertainment and communication interface you encounter including laptops, mp3 players, televisions, GPS and stereo systems. There is also the mypilot which gives you full control of your hearing - one-touch program, volume control and advanced remote control functionality. 'Over the years I"ve met a lot of clients here in Athlone, from children to older clients,' adds Irene. They will return time and again looking at new technologies and seeing what"s on offer to them. That"s what we"re all about here, offering people great service and value.'