As we face a time of uncertainty following the President’s declaration of a National State of Disaster on Sunday evening as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), it forces us to take stock of our personal needs and responsibilities.

Our practice has always implemented infection control in keeping with the regulations of our national and international professional associations and these are being enhanced as per the latest recommendations.  We now have hand sanitizer available at the front desk to be used on arrival and departure from the practice, and all surfaces are continuously wiped down with disinfectant.  We want our patients to feel welcome and safe when visiting the practice.

However, there are also strategies that we are implementing for those of you who are not able to come to the practice:

  • For those using certain hearing instruments which have been fitted in the past two years, we can arrange remote appointments to make adjustment to and fine tune your hearing instruments.
  • For those needing advice, we can arrange telephone or Skype meetings.
  • For hearing instruments that have stopped working or are faulty, we will send a courier to collect them from you.
  • For those needing batteries, domes, filters and other hearing aid accessories, we will also arrange to courier those to you.
  • Our speech therapists will be able to provide therapy sessions via Skype.
  • The speech therapists will be able to prepare home programmes which can be regularly updated during this time of social distancing.

It is critical that despite the impact of the Coronavirus, we do not neglect other aspects of our health and well-being.

  • Children currently receiving speech therapy and not at school, need to use this time to build on the skills that presented challenges to them before this started. Speak to your speech therapist about ways in which you can continue to assist your child at home.
  • Hearing loss does not go away, nor do the implications of hearing loss, making assessment and remediation as important as before.
  • Sudden hearing loss is a medical emergency and should be assessed within 24 hours of onset.

Our practice will remain open throughout this time to provide services to the best of our ability and are happy to chat with you either telephonically or via email.  You can contact us on: 0315664477 or heidi@reconnectlifestyle.co.za or admin@reconnectlifestyle.co.za.