Groundbreaking new hearing device delivers exceptional sound quality, always-on AI sound processing and full modern connectivity, with a virtually unseen design
It addresses the overlooked consequences of hearing loss in the workplace and beyond
Hidden Hearing, Ireland’s leading provider of hearing healthcare, has announced the arrival of a breakthrough in hearing technology with the launch of Oticon Zeal. This next-generation hearing device combines exceptional sound quality, always-on AI sound processing and full modern connectivity in a remarkably discreet form.
Not everyone sees themselves in traditional hearing aids and with that in mind Oticon designed something different, discreet, elegant and effortless.It looks and feels more like the earbuds that many people already wear. It’s an exceptional hearing aid without the compromise or stigma of conventional designs.
With Zeal, seeing is believing. It’s the hearing aid for people who never thought they’d wear one. It delivers intelligent, high-performance hearing with seamless connectivity to today’s digital world, while remaining virtually invisible in use.
For many people, particularly those in fast-paced and demanding roles, hearing loss becomes a silent challenge. Missed information in meetings, increased listening effort and end-of-day fatigue can all affect performance long before someone realises hearing is the root cause. Despite this, most people delay seeking help for seven to ten years, often due to concerns about visibility, stigma and the belief that they must compromise on either discretion or performance.
“We regularly meet people who are coping rather than thriving at work,” said Dolores Madden, Marketing Director for Hidden Hearing. “They are working harder just to keep up, without realising how much untreated hearing loss is impacting their focus, confidence and energy. By launching this premium product in our clinics, we’re offering a solution that supports people in their working and social lives without drawing attention or requiring compromise.”
In the modern workplace, clear communication is critical. Untreated hearing loss can quietly undermine productivity, collaboration and confidence, particularly in meetings, open-plan offices and hybrid working environments. Supporting clearer hearing can reduce mental strain and help people stay engaged, effective and confident throughout the day.
“I see patients with hearing loss that is often left untreated due to perceived stigma around it,” said Dr Clodagh Gallagher, Medical Advisor for Hidden Hearing. “They also experience mental fatigue, frustration and a drop in confidence at work as a result. When you have clear hearing, it supports better decision-making, stronger communication and overall performance.”
This new innovation addresses the often unseen impact of untreated hearing loss on people’s professional performance, confidence and everyday wellbeing.
A significant barrier to early treatment is the belief that people must choose between discretion and performance. Many delay addressing hearing loss because they don’t want a visible device to define them professionally or socially.
Stigma remains one of the most powerful reasons people put off seeking help. Hearing loss affects people of all ages, yet outdated perceptions continue to hold many back.
“One of the most damaging myths around hearing loss is that it’s something to hide or ignore,” added Dr Gallagher. “The longer people wait, the more impact it can have on their personal and professional lives. Discreet, modern solutions like this help remove that stigma and encourage people to take action earlier.”
Oticon Zeal is designed to fit effortlessly into everyday life, offering a personalised hearing solution for people who want to stay active, social and fully engaged. Whether in quiet moments, busy social settings, at work, enjoying sport or listening to music, it adapts naturally to different environments while maintaining exceptional sound quality and connectivity.
With state-of-the-art innovations like Oticon Zeal now available in Hidden Hearing clinics nationwide, the organisation continues its commitment to helping people hear clearly, perform confidently and stay fully connected to their work and lives without
Aviva Insurance Ireland, one of Ireland’s leading insurance providers, has today been announced as a major partner of ClubberTV, the fast-growing sports streaming platform transforming how grassroots GAA and community sport are brought to fans across Ireland and beyond.
The new partnership marks a significant moment for both organisations, bringing together Aviva’s long-standing commitment to Irish sport with ClubberTV’s innovative approach to live and on-demand sports coverage.
Under the new agreement, Aviva will become an official partner of all ClubberTV coverage for the upcoming 2025/26 season, with prominent branding integrated across Clubber’s live match broadcasts, digital platforms, and community outreach initiatives, reinforcing both organisations’ dedication to growing grassroots sport.
Speaking at the announcement, Declan O’Rourke, CEO at Aviva Insurance Ireland commented, “At Aviva Insurance Ireland, we understand the power of sport to connect communities, and grassroots GAA is at the heart of communities throughout the country. We are proud to support the growth and development of ClubberTV in making our national game more accessible to national and global audiences. We’re delighted to support a platform that gives communities more in terms of access, entertainment and inspiration”.
Founded in 2020, Clubber has become Ireland’s leading live streaming platform for local and grassroots sport. Using cloud-based technology, it removes the need for traditional broadcast infrastructure, enabling high-quality, live coverage from any location. This year alone, it will stream over 1,500 games, cementing its position as the go-to platform for grassroots and semi-professional sports. Clubber holds exclusive, multi-year GAA broadcast rights across Ireland and is actively expanding its footprint into additional counties, sports, and international markets.
Jimmy Doyle, CEO of Clubber TV added, “To welcome Aviva Insurance Ireland as our first major partner is a proud moment. It validates the vision we’ve had from day one: to unlock the power of local sport and bring it to fans everywhere. Together with Aviva, we look forward to increasing the visibility of grassroot sport.”
Fans can watch games from 14 counties including the Tipperary, Cork and Kilkenny Club Hurling Championships, as well as the Kerry, Kildare and Meath Club Football Championships, plus some of the Camogie Club Championships with flexible subscription options.
Double Tap the L/R earbud CTC: Play/Pause Three Tap the R earbud CTC: Next song Three Tap the L earbud CTC: Previous song
Voice assistant – Long press the L earbud CTC for 5 seconds
Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), today announces that its digital mapping system is being used by Sport Ireland to digitally map over 12,000 recreational locations and facilities across the island of Ireland.
Sport Ireland has launched Get Ireland Active, a national digital hub which maps sports and recreation facilities, walking and cycling trails, public parks, and other amenities around the country to promote higher levels of physical activity.
Sport Ireland is the national authority responsible for developing sport and outdoor recreation in Ireland. Based on Esri’s ArcGIS system, Sport Ireland and Derilinx created Get Ireland Active, which anticipates over 15,000 visitors per month and aims to inspire people to get involved in sport and other recreational activities to improve their health and wellbeing.
The interactive digital map addresses the need for a single, authoritative source of data about sports facilities in Ireland that can provide ways for citizens to become more active, and can also be used to support policy decisions and inform the development of new facilities.
Validated data, for the whole of Ireland, is available to stakeholders via the fully interactive online data hub, created with ArcGIS Hub Premium. Users can collate, verify, analyse, and share data in real-time, including development, planning, and socio-demographic information. This provides actionable insights and allows policy makers in central and local government, sporting bodies, and other stakeholders to analyse gaps in the provision of services and easily identify development land or other potential areas that might be available to site new facilities.
Sport Ireland conducted audits of all sports facilities in Ireland to create the central data hub, which is flexible and scalable and will continue to be updated as data is made available.
Dr Úna May, CEO, Sport Ireland, said: “Esri Ireland’s expertise has been crucial in bringing the Get Ireland Active database to life. Their technology allows us to offer a user-friendly platform that has comprehensive information about recreational activities across Ireland.
“Technology is transforming how we approach our everyday lives, and it’s vital that we use this to our benefit. Our collaboration with Esri Ireland has made this a reality, and we are excited to build upon this work through the continued development of the Get Ireland Active database.”
Padraig Quinn, Senior Account Manager, Esri Ireland, said: “We are proud to have supported the development of the Get Ireland Active national database, Ireland’s interactive activity, sport, and recreation hub. The benefits of having an interactive hub which can direct members of the public to their closest sport or recreation facilities are invaluable, especially coming into the winter months. Furthermore, the hub will continue to inform future development of sporting facilities across Ireland and embed a love of sport and the outdoors for both present and future generations. We are looking forward to continuing to work with Sport Ireland as the hub continues to grow.”
In the second episode in a three-part special of BBC News technology series TechXplore set in Paris, presenter Paul Carter continues his tech journey at the Paris Games, this time exploring how the events in Paris are being experienced by the global audience. In the episode titled The Global Experience, Paul goes behind-the-scenes at the high-tech international broadcast centre and finds out how AI and the Cloud are transforming the global broadcasting experience of the 2024 games.
Paul then visits the Olympic Timekeeping Laboratory in Switzerland to see how AI is being introduced into the judging of key Paris events; joins an Olympian swimmer in the pool to test out the latest smart googles; tests his skills at an AI Talent Scouting Lab that is looking to find the Olympians of the future; and joins a team looking at footage from the Paris games of 1924 which is now being digitally re-coloured using AI to celebrate some Olympic glories from the past.
TechXplore Paris: The Global Experience airs on BBC News on Saturday 10th August at 01:30 and 07:30 and Sunday 11th August at 14:30 and 21:30. All times GMT.
As we approach a summer of sport across Ireland, many avid supporters may be looking to keep up with their sport of choice. With Euros already begun, Wimbledon on the way and the Paris Olympic Games kicking off from July, many workers residing in the office may hope to catch matches and games whilst at work.
Past YouGov studies have revealed only 23% of employees at a permanent workplace have permission to watch TV at work, meaning a large portion of the workforce will miss out on watching the action live, or worse, will instead choose to miss work so they can get involved in the action elsewhere.
The same survey noted that almost 1 in 3 (29%) of workers would like the opportunity to watch sporting events whilst at work. More than a fifth of male employees surveyed in the research suggested watching sporting events encourages ‘good team spirit’ in the workplace.
Shane Duffy, Managing Director at Click Offices says that hosting watch parties in the workplace is a great way to not only encourage employees into the office, but to also provide flexible working solutions that fosters greater team morale.
“We all know how hard it’s been to get people back to the office since the pandemic, and with more people than ever choosing flexible working patterns that allow them better work/life balance, you really have to make coming to the office a worthwhile affair for employees.
It’s all well and good providing varied work environments and top of the range serviced offices, but employees are wanting more than just coffee making facilities and proximity to a good sports bar to watch the game after work.
“Gen Z especially are wanting more of an experience from their work days, and their motivations are different to the generations before them. It’s not just all about the money for them, they want to feel like they’re part of a team, they need motivation in other ways.
A survey recently showed that more than half of Gen Zers say that watching live games is one of the best ways to engage with the Euros especially, and so combining their passions outside of work with an enthusiastic work environment is an easy way to attract and maintain the Gen Z workforce.
“What’s more attractive to employees than coming together with your work mates to watch some sport, enjoy some food, have a laugh and maybe answer a few emails while you’re at it?”
Hosting a workplace watch party isn’t as easy as bringing in the big TV and putting on some food and drink for the team – there are a number of things employers need to be mindful of when encouraging staff to let their hair down in a professional environment.
David Rice, HR expert at People Managing People shares his top tips for hosting a workplace watch party that won’t get you in trouble with the HR team.
“Just make sure you create a welcoming environment for everyone. That means food options for everyone, including those with allergies or dietary requirements. Put out a quick survey so you know if there’s anything people can’t enjoy, such as gluten or shellfish. This way you have options for everyone.
“As for alcohol, you’ll want to think about the fact that some folks don’t drink or may be in recovery for alcoholism and provide support if the event is triggering in some way. Whether that’s pairing them with other people in recovery or creating alcohol free spaces for them to enjoy.”
“These sorts of events are good in a few ways. For one, they definitely boost morale and create a sort of bonding experience for employees where they can find common ground and chat with people they wouldn’t normally interact with. But it also breaks up the monotony of the working calendar and provides something memorable. This is a nice way to mark a time of the year and create memorable experiences in the workplace.
“If it becomes excessive, it can be a distraction. If you have employees who are fans of other countries, it’s important to be respectful of everyone and celebrate their cultures. Nationalism is inherent to some extent in international sports, but that can turn ugly if nurtured in the wrong way.”
“Since the Ancient Greeks, sport has been used to entertain, celebrate and enjoy a distraction from daily life. This time in history isn’t that different and we should use it to remind ourselves that life isn’t just corporate deadlines and P&L reports.
“Sports inspire people to try harder, take better care of themselves, overcome adversity and work together. That’s why they’re such a great metaphor for teamwork in all settings, but in this case, the CEO doesn’t have to make some cringey reference to getting the ball over the goal line, people can just see the dynamics of teamwork and how everything comes together by watching what plays out.”
“Summer tends to be a period in which people cash in annual leave or they tend to disengage as their desire to be out and about in the sunshine increases. By embracing these types of events, you allow for people to break without actually taking holiday or just actively disengaging. They’ll appreciate your flexibility and understanding of the importance of such events in the national culture.”
For more information on serviced office solutions in Dublin, please visit Click Offices: https://www.clickoffices.com/
When it comes to finding live streams of sports events, it would be fair to say that fans in the United Kingdom and Ireland are spoilt for choice.
Numerous respected broadcasters have developed immersive apps, allowing subscribers to access live sports on a 24/7/365 basis.
It is also feasible to access streaming content from overseas by using Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology to circumvent geo-blocking restrictions.
Give the competitive nature of the live streaming sector it can be difficult to know which app to use, so we have scoured the internet to produce this definitive list of options.
Sky Sports is the leading broadcaster for fans in the UK Ireland, offering extensive coverage of live action from across a plethora of different sports.
Subscribers can stream a multitude of different events via the immersive Sky Go app, which boasts numerous features designed to enhance your viewing enjoyment.
Football fans will undoubtedly be in their element with Sky as it is the home for the Premier League, Scottish Premiership, Bundesliga and several other major leagues.
With Formula 1, golf, cricket, horse racing and numerous other sports available, the Sky Go app is one of the best live sports streaming platforms around.
Sport will be rebranded as TNT Sports from July 2023, allowing fans to watch a wide range of major sporting events under one banner.
The company offers subscribers access to a fantastic app, which is easy to download to smartphones, tablets, games consoles and selected smart televisions.
TNT has the exclusive rights to UEFA’s top three club competitions – the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League.
Rugby union, motorsports, tennis, boxing and mixed martial arts are among a vast array of other sports available to live stream on TNT.
As mentioned earlier, subscribing to a reliable VPN provider offers sports fans the opportunity to access a host of live content from other jurisdictions.
This includes the Qatari-owned beIN SPORTS, which owns the rights to a vast array of football leagues and competitions from across the world.
The Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League, Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana are among the beIN Sports football portfolio.
Tennis, motorsports and rugby also feature heavily on the platform, while selected basketball and handball competitions are also available.
If you are a fan of watching major league sports action from North America, you would be well-advised to take out a subscription to fuboTV.
NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, TNT, TBS and many more feature on the platform, making it the ideal place for anyone who wants to watch sport from across the Atlantic Ocean.
One of the best features of fuboTV is the service has a ton of regional sports networks available, meaning you can access more in-depth content on your favourite team.
Subscribers can easily access fuboTV on dedicated apps on Android, iOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, Chromecast or Roku devices.
ESPN+ not only grants fans access to a plethora of live sports throughout the year but also serves as a gateway to a world of online gambling excitement.
With expert tips, predictions, and convenient links to cutting-edge betting apps, ESPN+ stands out as the ultimate app for enthusiasts of live sports wagering.
From the thrilling PGA Tour to the electrifying MLS, NHL, and MLB, each sport offers punters a diverse range of pre-match and in-play betting opportunities.
Moreover, with a treasure trove of archive content featuring the likes of UFC, NFL, golf, boxing, and more, ESPN+ cements its position as an indispensable live streaming service that demands your attention.
Hulu is another excellent streaming platform for fans of North American sports, with the platform containing many of the well-known broadcasters in this area.
Over 90 live and on-demand channels are featured on Hulu including CBS Sports Network, ESPN, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, NFL Network and many more.
Hulu offers the option to add on several premium sports channels, giving users the flexibility to tailor their subscription to their individual requirements.
It also feasible to create a personalised sports streaming experience on Hulu based primarily on your favourite teams, sports or leagues.
From a financial flexibility standpoint, Sling TV’s sliding scale range of streaming packages offers a great way to access live sports.
ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, Stadium and TNT are available as part of the base package, meaning you can watch a great range of sports without breaking the bank.
If you move up the subscription ladder you can add in other services such as NBC Sports and NFL Network, while the likes of NBA TV and NHL Network feature higher up the scale.
Sling TV also does not require you to enter into a lengthy contract, allowing you to adjust your subscription to suit your needs throughout the year.
Paramount+ offers subscribers the opportunity to access a wide range live sports including American Football, college basketball and golf.
They also have the rights to cricket’s Indian Premier League in India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Football also features heavily at Paramount+, with the platform featuring the Champions League, Serie A, Premier League, Scottish Premiership and many more.
Paramount+ can be downloaded as an app for smartphones, tablets, game consoles and numerous other streaming devices.
If you enjoy watching live sports, streaming apps allow you to indulge your passion whenever and wherever you want.
While there are a host of illegal streaming services available, it is advisable to steer clear of these given the vast majority contain viruses.
Sticking to streaming providers who develop a reliable app is the best way to ensure you can watch live sports without the feed buffering or crashing.
The world cup is just around the corner, so what better time is there to buy the perfect smart TV to experience that pitch-side feel in your own home? 2022 has been a great year for televisions, but it’s tough to know much much you need to spend to get that next-level watching experience for your home.
Knowing the best 65-inch TVs UK wide, from OLED, QLED or standard LED is rarely simple to decipher, especially with so many options to choose from, so we’ve taken the hassle out of that job and chosen our three favourite TVs this year for enjoying your favourite sports in style.
Samsung BU8070 4K Crystal UHD Smart TV
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Crystal-UHD-Smart-Built/dp/B0B1VC85Y8/
At the much more affordable end of the TV spectrum, Samsung has knocked it out of the park in terms of value with the BU8070, which is simply perfect for catching up on your favourite sports this year.
Despite the second-to-none 3D surround sound with Object Tracking for full immersion, the most exciting feature of Samsung’s BU8070 is quite easily its excellent Crystal Processor, which precisely upscales live sports (or whatever else your watching) in real-time. That means there’s no blurring, no dull, low-quality playback, just sheer quality without fault.
All-in-all, we can’t fault this television, and at its price, it’s an absolute screamer.
Samsung Q60B QLED 4K Smart TV
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Inch-Q60B-QLED-Smart/dp/B09VH47GPX/
Samsung is well-known for making the most gorgeous displays at competitive prices, and the Q60B is no exception. Unlike our previous pick, this display harnesses the power of QLED technology, where nanocrystals are used to create a huge range of over a billion colours, all on one screen.
The result? Anything you watch, be it sports, films, shows, games – they all pop off the screen with proper true depth and vividness that can’t be topped.
Samsung rarely skimp out on great sound either, and the Q60B has that all-important Object Tracking built in, so the sounds of the stadium come alive, without the need for surround sound.
LG OLED C2 65” 4K Smart TV
https://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-OLED-C2-55-Smart/dp/B09W65BR8S/
Our final pick is easily our most expensive, but it’s also one of the best TVs of the year. LG’s C2 is an OLED TV, which unlike QLED tech, doesn’t use a backlight. The result? It’s got some of the best performance in any commercially available TV display ever made. Rapid response times, ultra-low input lag, and insane refresh rates mean that you’re never behind the action when you’re watching football, you’ll experience the action as its happening, no delay whatsoever.
And the display itself? It’s nothing short of stunning – the slick high contrast look of a proper OLED screen is simply beautiful, and puts any regular TV display to absolute shame.