Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the value of a comprehensive hearing test?

A comprehensive careful hearing test is a vital part of your hearing improvement journey. Don’t underestimate the value of a hearing test. Similar to eye exams you benefit from a hearing health professional thoroughly assessing your hearing capabilities and screening for issues that need medical followup. Also if hearing aids are needed accurate test results allow for more precise prescription fitting of hearing aids.

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Below is not an exhaustive list but includes what is most important in a comprehensive hearing test.

1. You will receive a full interview to find out your medical background and alert us to any medical conditions that may be impacting your hearing or require further medical followup. An Audiologist with a minimum of a masters degree is trained to start the session by understanding your medical history and hearing problems.

2. Otoscopic examination of your ears to determine if there is blockage or abnormalities of your eardrum or abnormalities of your ear canals.

3. Air conduction and bone conduction testing of your hearing from low to high pitches, close to low C to high C on the piano determining which part of your ear is causing the hearing problem- is it the outer ear, middle ear or inner ear?

4. Speech testing to determine your comfort levels, the quietest speech you can hear and how clearly you hear speech compared to normal in quiet and in background noise*. Speech testing is important because results will impact your treatment recommendations and give us insight to form realistic expectations about your potential with hearing aids if hearing aids are needed.

5. Further middle ear measurements if needed to determine if the motion of your eardrum is impaired.

6. Explanation of your hearing test results so you fully understand your hearing capabilities followed by recommendations to treat your hearing loss- is it medical treatment, listening strategies or hearing aids that you need.

* Background noise testing performed depending on presenting issues and may also be performed as part of a hearing aid fitting.

What is an Audiologist?

An audiologist is a hearing specialist with a minimum of six years of university education, to at least the level of a masters degree.

How much do hearing aids cost?

Hearing aids range in price from approximately $3000 to 6500 a pair. In addition to an intricate manufacturing process, several hours of professional service go into the proper fitting of hearing aids and follow-up appointments. Please click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa0VraRjnP8 to see a video made by one of the hearing aid manufacturers of the hearing aid manufacturing and fitting process, to see the value you are getting for your investment.

Are hearing aids any better these days than they used to be?

Definitely! Hearing aids have improved significantly, advancing from the use of basic analog circuits, with limited function, to microchips that are actually mini-computers that can almost instantly make decisions using artificial intelligence. Today’s hearing aids can monitor your environment and make decisions about how to give you the best sound in that environment. New digital microchip technology has resulted in hearing aids that are more discreet and easier to wear. Hearing aids can through wireless connection link to your smart phone, your TV and other devices. Research shows that overall satisfaction with hearing aids has increased dramatically in recent years and, while hearing aids may not yet provide 100% satisfaction, many people talk about the wonderful life-changing experiences they bring.

Will hearing aids make my hearing worse?

Some people think hearing aids can make your hearing worse, but that is more of an urban legend than anything else. Even for people with a profound hearing loss, who wear very powerful hearing aids, we take great care to keep the maximum loudness of their hearing aids within safe levels. Hearing aids do not take away your ability to hear when you are not wearing them, but because you will hear so much more you will notice a significant contrast between wearing and not wearing hearing aids.

So many people seem to complain about their hearing aids, so why should I get them?

Some of the people you’ve heard complain may have had their hearing aids for a long time. Overall satisfaction with hearing aids has significantly improved over the years. Unfortunately, listening to other people’s stories is not necessarily going to give you the true picture of what the results will be for you. The truth is that, overall, the vast majority of people adjust well to their hearing aids. Usually those who talk about their negative experiences are still benefitting, but it might be their nature to focus on the negative aspects. Remember that most hearing aid users are quietly enjoying their new life experiences.

Why is it that I can hear people, yet I have trouble understanding them?

This is a common complaint from people with high pitch hearing loss, the most common type of hearing loss. This may not seem to make sense but it does. What happens is that you may hear the volume of speech quite well, as this is carried by the vowel sounds, which are easier to pick up. But you may miss the subtler, higher pitch consonant sounds, and these carry the majority of the valuable information we need to understand conversation. So they hear but do not understand clearly.

What if I get hearing aids and I don’t like them?

Our guarantee: If you are not satisfied within 60 days of your fitting, and wish to return your hearing aids, we will provide a full refund. We guarantee that we will follow you closely after the hearing aid fitting, to make sure you are as satisfied as possible. If we cannot satisfy you, you will have ample time to return your hearing aids.

Is there financial assistance available for hearing aids?

Since hearing aids are considered medical devices, they are tax-free in Canada. There are also a number of ways to receive financial assistance to help pay for the hearing aids, through third-party coverage. The main types of third-party coverage are:

WorkSafeBC: If you have a history of noise exposure on the job, you may be eligible for coverage for hearing aids and associated costs through WorkSafeBC.
Veterans Affairs: If you have a history of noise exposure from involvement in the military, you may be eligible for coverage through Veterans Affairs.
Extended health plan coverage from work health plans may also assist with payment.

There are also other types of third-party coverage, and we would be happy to help you determine if you are eligible for any of them.

Hearing better makes good financial sense. One study has shown, for those who are working, that untreated hearing loss negatively affected income by nearly $23,000 per year, compared to individuals with normal hearing.

A close family member has a major hearing problem, yet refuses to get a hearing test. Is there anything I can do?

Everyone is in charge of his or her own life and we need to respect this. However, there are some things you can do to gently nudge your family member in the right direction.

Suggest that it would be a good idea for the person to at least become informed about his/her hearing status. Affirm that the person is ultimately in charge of any decisions after finding out if there is a hearing problem.
If someone in your family has a hearing impairment, it’s important not to be an “enabler,” by helping every time the person has difficulty hearing. If the person constantly relies on your help, she or he may not see the hearing problem as it really is and may therefore not bother to do anything about it.
Some people feel there’s a stigma about wearing a hearing aid. Go to the website www.betterhearing.org and show the person all the well-known personalities who have sought help for their hearing. In addition, there is a great deal of valuable information on that website.