E-referrals can now be made to Audika using Clanwilliam Health’s CareSelect service.

For more than 100 years, Audika (formerly Hearing Life) has been helping people with hearing loss get their lives back, and the new referral process will enhance its services, says Diem Smith, Clinician and Audika’s Group Clinical & Sales Trainer NZ.

Mrs Smith, an audiologist, says Audika was founded in 1904 in Denmark by Hans Demant who was determined to help his wife Camilla, who had hearing loss, lead a better life.

“That foundation of care carries on today in Audika’s 30 clinics located around New Zealand. We are passionate about helping people hear better and get their lives back,” Mrs Smith says.

“We aim to provide excellent hearing care to all our patients.”

Audika offers full adult diagnostic hearing assessments and hearing aid fittings, as well as providing the service to some children at designated clinics.

“We have ACC accredited clinicians who are able to see noise-induced/head trauma claimants and Veterans’ Affairs claimants. Our clinicians are also able to access the Ministry of Health’s hearing aid funding and subsidy schemes on behalf of patients.”

Helping patients reconnect

Mrs Smith says denial is the main reason many people with hearing loss do nothing about it, and it’s often a loved one or companion who notices the hearing loss first.

“It can get to the point where a person’s quality of life is affected if they can’t hear properly. Relationships can break down. If they can’t take part in conversations they withdraw and are isolated, so the sooner they get help, the better.”

She says it’s rewarding to help patients reconnect with the world again.

“It’s a fantastic feeling knowing you’ve made a difference to someone’s life when they get their hearing back and are participating with their family, friends and colleagues again,” she says.

“While the majority of our patients are older, we’re seeing more younger people with hearing loss due to recreational noise exposure from things like attending concerts or using personal listening devices with the volume up too loud.”

Ear wax removal service

Mrs Smith says some Audika clinics now offer ear wax removal by suction.

“Qualified ear wax removal nurses are hard to find so we’re proud to be able to offer this service carried out by our clinicians who have been trained up on how to do it.”

She says for more complex cases, they will still refer patients to a qualified ear wax removal nurse.

“As a healthcare provider, people can be assured that Audika has introduced a range of measures to ensure the safety of both our patients and staff.”

How to refer to Audika:

• open the patient record
• select the HealthLink icon
• use the CareSelect search bar, type “Audika”
• select the local Audika branch
• click “Compose Referral”.

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