I have been wearing hearing aids for about 9 years since I was 18.  I have had 4 pairs of hearing aids.  In May 2006 I bought my Phonak digital hearing aids from Ines Colubriale at Northern Sydney Hearing, after I realized that my in-the-ear analog aids were no longer helping me to hear.  I saw Ines for an initial consultation just to see what my options were, and after speaking to her, I decided to try the ones that she recommended.  After a 4 week trial, I realized they were for me. They’re fantastic, I am so pleased with them, but it is really because of Ines that my fitting was so successful.  She really cared about whether or not I felt that the hearing aids suited me, and I think this is the most important thing for an audiologist to do- work with the person, and help them choose hearing aids that suit them, rather than forcing a person to suit a hearing aid!  I am an online content manager in a large company, and I need to be able to participate in conversations with confidence.  It is so important that you get the choice right, and feel comfortable with your decision, and Ines Colubriale made me feel comfortable and supported my decisions.  I also recently started using a TTY text phone, both at work and at home.  I decided to do this because I was taking the step into getting digital hearing aids, so why not really get into it, and see what else is out there that will make my life with hearing loss easier.  To anyone that is struggling with a hearing loss, I would recommend good aids, lip reading classes, and a volume control phone or text phone.  It truly makes a difference, and I can honestly say that these days I often forget that I am deaf!!   

If someone is considering a HA for the first time, Ines is just the ticket.  Anyone who has a handicap wants empathy and understanding, and they would appreciate meaningful advice.  It is important that information is shared in a way that is conducive to the client’s understanding. A client may want to have total hearing ability restored and this is not always possible.  No one hearing loss is like another, and each handicap is individual, and in the case of hearing loss things have to be tailored to that loss.  How can I put it??  Ines has a professional skill with a motherly touch.  Not an easy combination to find in the hearing profession but it sure does help the client to establish rapport and subsequently go on to recommend Ines to other people in need.  Adieu.!!