ACNA Blog

Going above and beyond with genuine care

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 16:17:38 GMT

Barbara has been a client of the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta (ACNA) for over a decade. In that time, she has received hearing care that more than exceeded her expectations.

“The biggest reason for going there and continuing to go there is the excellent care that they provide,” said Barbara.

Barbara has faced many hearing setbacks throughout her life, going as far back as when she was three years old and had to have surgery for an ear infection.

In her 50’s, Barbara’s ability to hear through both her ears started to diminish.

“As an English instructor at NAIT, I naturally had to listen to speeches. And I started having difficulty,” she explained.

“I didn’t hesitate to get a hearing aid when I noticed that.”

In 2007, Barbara had a major ear infection in her right ear that eventually led to her needing surgery. Shortly after the procedure, her surgeon recommended she go to ACNA to see if they could help her improve her hearing situation. And thankfully for Barbara, that is exactly what they were able to do.

“I was very satisfied with the first hearing aid they fit me with. I’ve been going there ever since,” Barbara said.

She says the major reason she’s satisfied is because of the exceptional service from the ACNA team. Barbara’s audiologist was Laréna Lewchuk, but it was a collaborative effort from the entire team that contributed to her success.

“The biggest reason for going there and continuing to go there is the excellent care,” Barbara said.

“Laréna took time and had a personal concern. It wasn’t just a sale, but it was a concerned relationship.”

As Covid started to affect everyday life for everyone, Barbara found herself having trouble communicating properly in the new social landscape that was forming.

“I was having trouble. I do a lot of Zoom meetings – book clubs and stuff like that all meet on Zoom during Covid,” Barbara described.

“I could never really take part because I’d miss so much of the conversation.”

Barbara decided to go back to ACNA to see if she could help her out again.

“I went to Laréna and asked what is available. She took time out to explain about a hearing aid that she thought might be a good one for me,” Barbara said.

“There was no pressure of any kind to purchase it.”

Barbara was far from disappointed after trying on the new hearing aid, and she almost immediately decided to go ahead with the purchase.

“I was just so impressed,” Barbara said. “I didn’t just have one wow. I had a whole bunch of wows!”

The results have been self-evident ever since, and it hasn’t just been Barbara who noticed a difference.

“In one group I’m with my daughter, and she said she just couldn’t help but cry when she heard me the first day I used the new hearing aids. I was engaged, which I had not been before,” Barbara noted.

More recently, Barbara has been able to take part in Saturday morning coffee gatherings with her neighbours.

“I could understand the women sitting to my right, and I could understand the women to my left – in spite of the fact that there were about six different conversations going on,” Barbara said.

“It was noisy, but I could still understand, which blew my mind because otherwise I would just sit there and look intelligent but not know what was going on.”

Barbara has nothing but good things to say about the genuine care that she has received from Laréna and the ACNA team.

“The hearing aid was not the major reason I’m satisfied. It was Laréna and her care for me and the time she took to explain things to me,” Barbara explained.

All the hearing care professionals at ACNA prioritize quality service that considers the unique needs of everyone that visits the clinic.

“They go above and beyond the call of duty.”

Case Study: A personable connection in hearing care

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 22:09:49 GMT

Rod is a very satisfied client of the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta. He says his life has improved significantly since he started wearing his hearing aids.

Well before visiting the clinic for the first time, Rod worked in very loud environments for many years, including as a blacksmith for CP rail and in a machine shop.

“It was well over the accepted noise levels,” Rod said. “Five years in the blacksmith shop and another 35 in a loud environment in a machine shop probably didn’t help me at all.”

For a long time, Rod was unaware of the full level of damage that had been done to his hearing. He described it as being a progressive thing that you don’t realize until you have to confront it.

“I didn’t think it was all that bad until I discovered that I was reading lips a lot. I had to see somebody's mouth if I wanted to hear everything,” Rod said. “I realized that I couldn’t hear someone if I was looking at the back of their head.”

It wasn’t until he took a trip to see some of his closest friends in British Columbia that Rod understood how bad his hearing had gotten and that he needed to do something about it.

“They were shocked at the amount of hearing loss I had,” Rod said. “My friend made me promise to do something about it when I got back.”

“When other people are commenting, you have to take it seriously.”

Rod decided to visit the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta, where he met Laréna (one of the clinic’s audiologists). She found that Rod had suffered significant hearing loss and that he would likely benefit from using a set of hearing aids.

“The experience itself of going to see the clinic wasn’t as bad as I had imagined. It was very professional right off the bat,” Rod said.

“There’s no pressure, and there’s no hard sell. It’s just getting the facts, and you run with it.”

Rod appreciated that Laréna was able to explain to him in layman’s terms what was happening with his hearing, saying that it made it easier for him to accept the results and move ahead with the treatment.

“She was very personable. I was able to talk to her about many things other than the service that she was providing, which is good,” Rod said. “You want to have a personal connection with someone who you’re going to be seeing off and on for a few months.”

Over the course of those few months, Rod and Laréna were able to fine-tune his hearing aids to a point where he was quite satisfied with both their feel as well as their function.

“Getting over the hump of the first few weeks of having foreign objects stuck in your ears, I realized that the slight discomfort that I had at first was a small price to pay, considering the amount of stress my wife had gone through for years having me repeat things over and over and over again,” Rod said.

“After 2 to 3 weeks, it was hardly noticeable anymore, so I was very pleased.”

Rod said that his hearing aids have offered him a significant improvement in his overall hearing and it is now much easier for him to converse with his friends and family.

“I have no complaints whatsoever about the product. It’s been very good to me ever since I got it,” Rod said.

“Life has improved for me quite a bit since I acquired the hearing aids, and for that I can thank Laréna and the company.”

Questions We Hear About Hearing Aids

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 21:59:30 GMT

At the centre of our approach to compassionate hearing care is taking time to listen and offer as much information as possible. Through this process, we have collected common questions about hearing aids – and questions that are not so common.

The frequently asked questions about hearing aids can be grouped into the following categories:

1. Questions about costs

2. Questions about selecting hearing aids

3. Questions about technology and features

4. Questions about wearing hearing aids

If your questions about hearing aids are not included in this list, book an appointment or contact us today. We’re happy to help address your questions and get you expert answers on hearing aids.

Questions about hearing aid costs

How much do hearing aids cost?

The most common question we hear is about the cost of hearing aids. If you’ve never purchased hearing aids, it is understandable to be unfamiliar with the costs and what is included with your purchase.

Like other wearable technologies, there is a wide range of costs for hearing aids: usually $1,200 to $3,600 per hearing aid ($2,400 to $7,200 for a pair of hearing aids). The top factor that contributes to cost is the level of technology, meaning the hearing aids that have the more advanced and precise usually cost more.

Visit our guide to selecting hearing aids to see the difference between technology levels.

What is included with the purchase of hearing aids?

When you purchase your hearing aids from the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta, you get more than just the devices. The cost of your hearing aids also includes:

Professional programming and fitting
Warranty and future maintenance
Support to help you get used to new hearing aids
Future adjustments and reprogramming

We include these ongoing services because we want your hearing aids to perform as expected through the life of the devices.

Are hearing aids worth it?

Untreated hearing loss can contribute to a range of impacts, including:

Difficult communication
Social isolation
Anxiety, stress and other mental health effects

Sometimes, the impacts are perceivable. But for many people, they are not aware of the effects of untreated hearing loss. For example, people with hearing loss that are working often make less money.

Hearing aids are one option to treat hearing loss and reduce the negative effects. Your candidacy for hearing aids depends on your type and degree of hearing loss, in addition to other factors like lifestyle, work and overall health.

To give you insight into the value that hearing aids will offer your life, our clinicians will walk through what to expect from new hearing aids. We will use the results from your hearing test to discuss how hearing aids will contribute to better hearing.

Our goal is to provide as much information as possible, so you can make a confident decision about the next step.

What funding is available for hearing aids?

There are many funding options for hearing aids that we can help you apply for, including:

Alberta Aids to Daily Living
Workers’ Compensation Board
Veterans’ Affairs Canada
Non-Insured Health Benefits
Big Stone Health Commission
Private Insurance Plans

Questions about selecting hearing aids

Which hearing aids are best for me?

The best hearing aids for you depend on your hearing loss, lifestyle and preferences.

After a hearing assessment, your clinician will discuss the features you prefer and the fit you want. This gives us an understanding of your priorities.

We will match the power you need according to the degree of hearing loss. The goal is to select the appropriate capabilities to assist with your hearing loss and meet your future needs (particularly if your hearing loss is progressive).

From there, our clinicians will consider your lifestyle and preferences. Hearing aids are available with different features and “expressions” of sound. For example, some manufacturers are focused on designing hearing aids that sound as natural as possible. Other manufacturers prioritize technologies that help you hear someone speaking in a noisy environment (even if it doesn’t sound completely natural).

Our team will take the time necessary to understand your preferences and lifestyle. We will review the benefits of various features or technologies, and then outline the options that will be the best fit for you.

What types of hearing loss benefit from hearing aids?

This question is best answered by our clinicians using the results of your diagnostic hearing assessment. The type of hearing loss is only one factor when considering if hearing aids are an appropriate option.

What if I don’t like my new hearing aids?

When you start wearing new hearing aids, they may not perform as expected or you may experience some amount of discomfort. This is normal because your body and brain need time to acclimatize to the new sounds.

Here are tips for adjusting to new hearing aids , and your clinician will be available to address your concerns. We ask that you share with us any issues or problems you face with your new hearing aids.

Our hearing aid trial period lets you take time to understand your devices – all with help from us. Your clinician will be available to adjust your hearing aids and let you know if what you’re experiencing is expected. We will not be satisfied until you are happy with your hearing aids.

If the problems persist and you are not satisfied, you can return them for a full refund. All new hearing aids from the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta come with a risk-free trial period.

Questions about hearing aid technology and features

What are the differences in hearing aids?

Hearing aids come in various styles and power levels. Depending on your degree and type of hearing loss, some styles and power levels may be more appropriate for your hearing needs. For example, people with progressive hearing loss may benefit from devices that have adequate power for the life of the hearing aids.

Another difference in hearing aids is the level of technology. This describes how precise, smart or adaptable the hearing aids are.

Each hearing aid manufacturer aims to create the best devices possible. Most manufacturers share similar features and technology levels, but they tend to sound a bit different. Some manufacturers prioritize natural sounds while others focus more on optimizing speech in noisy places. Your clinician can help you choose the best manufacturer for your preferences.

Features like Bluetooth connectivity and rechargeable batteries are available across most devices and not linked the technology level or price. You can also choose between various colours and styles.

Our guide to selecting hearing aids includes more details on the levels of technology.

Which hearing aids have Bluetooth technology?

Hearing aids of all technology levels can include features like Bluetooth connectivity. Some smaller custom styles may not be available with Bluetooth, but this case is rare.

If Bluetooth is important to you, let us know and we can help you find the right device.

Questions about wearing hearing aids

What can I expect from new hearing aids?

Adjusting to new hearing aids is different for everyone and often takes time. Most people adjust to their new hearing aids during the trial period.

As your brain and body get used to the sound signals from increased amplification, you can expect sounds and the physical comfort to get better over time. You may encounter discomfort or exhaustion, but you should not experience pain.

Your clinician will provide suggestions to streamline the process, and we are always available to help if anything unexpected arises .

Do I need to wear hearing aids all the time?

We recommend you wear your hearing aids as often as possible, as long as they are comfortable. It’s important to wear them regularly to help your brain get used (and stay used) to the sounds it receives from the devices.

Do I need two hearing aids?

Your clinician will use the results from your hearing test to recommend one or two hearing aids. For most people, two hearing aids deliver more balanced sounds and a better experience by:

Aiming to restore hearing loss to normal levels
Improving balance
Improving hearing in noisy environment
Improving localization abilities (so you can better determine where sounds are coming from)

How are hearing aids adjusted?

Hearing aids need to be personalized to the wearer.

We will program your devices when they arrive at our clinic according to your hearing loss, and then we will verify they operate as expected while you are wearing the hearing aids. We also will objectively measure how your hearing aids are functioning using real ear measurements. This process involves testing your hearing aids while they’re in your ear.

Over time, your hearing and lifestyle may change. Your clinician can review and adjust your hearing aids to align with your current needs and lifestyle.

What if I have issues with my hearing aids?

Start by exploring our guide to troubleshooting problems with your hearing aids . If you’re unable to resolve the issue, book an appointment at the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta.

Get more hearing aid tips

See our article on top hearing aid tips for suggestions on wearing, using and maintaining your hearing aids.

Hearing care service that lasts for decades

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 21:47:54 GMT

When Anthony first visited the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta in the early 2000’s, he came as a foreigner in need of help fixing his existing hearing aids. Eventually moving to Alberta from the United States, Anthony’s decision to continue receiving service from the clinic was an easy one to make.

“I needed somebody to fix my existing hearing aids,” Anthony said. “I took them there, they fixed them, and they gave me such good service that I never left.”

Anthony has made lasting relationships with some of the clinic’s team, including Laréna Lewchuk and Essie Palmer, both audiologists that have worked at the clinic since the early 2000’s.

“Over the last 22 years, Essie and Laréna have both provided me with excellent service,” Anthony said. “They’re both highly skilled and good at what they do.”

Anthony has been dealing with hearing loss problems since he was 17 and in school. The loss of his hearing was a hindrance in his early life.

“It was impacting both education and social situations,” Anthony said. “I couldn’t hear people, so I couldn’t hear my instructors very clearly. I couldn’t hear my friends unless they were really close by me.”

Anthony was impressed with the clinic’s ability to tackle his level of hearing loss.

“For them to help somebody like me who has profound hearing loss, it’s quite challenging,” Anthony said. “I’m pushing my hearing aids ability to perform as hard as they can.”

As hearing aid technology advances, Anthony appreciates that the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta made sure to keep on top of the all the latest trends.

“The technology has increased quite a bit,” Anthony said. “My first set of hearing aids were analogue. Now they’re digital hearing aids, all the way to the point that now I can control my hearing aids through my phone.”

Many hearing aids available today are able to do much more than just helping with hearing issues. In recent years they have become multi-purpose devices that can be highly customized to fit each individual user’s needs.

“The feature that I like best about them is that they are able to stream with Bluetooth,” Anthony said. “I’m able to stream music with them, and I’m able to take a call using Bluetooth. It does it in both ears at once, which is convenient.”

Anthony describes the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta as being a full-service shop where they will help you on every step of your hearing journey, from receiving an initial hearing test in a proper sound-proof room all the way through to adjustments and repairs, years down the line.

“Probably the biggest thing you notice that you don’t see right up front is the after service,” Anthony said.

“If I have a hearing aid that has a problem, they send it off to get repaired and they also loan me a hearing aid so that I’m able to keep functioning day to day.

This attention and care at every step is the reason Anthony recommends the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta.

“They have a very high level of customer service.”

Hearing aid technology we are excited about

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 16:58:41 GMT

The future of hearing aid technology is difficult to predict, but we eagerly watch for the latest devices and improvements introduced by manufacturers every year.

Advancements in hearing aid technology are incredible to observe. With every new generation of hearing aids, there are boosts in the internal processing capabilities and new features are added that make the devices easier to operate and optimize – for both the wearer and the clinician.

More importantly, newer hearing aids do a better job at matching expectations while minimizing the hurdles or annoyances that were present in previous generations.

Here are the advancements in hearing aid technology that we are excited about – and what it means for your hearing.

Rapid progress in hearing aid technology is normal

Just like your smartphone or computer, rapid progress in hearing aid technology is not only common – but expected. Manufacturers continue to push the limits of what is possible in hearing aids, which is notable considering the challenges of hearing aid technology:

Hearing aids are incredibly tiny
They are expected to remain reliable and perform optimally throughout their lifetime
Hearing aids must be durable and withstand regular use in places that are unfriendly to electronics (that is, your ears)
They perform advanced calculations and are expected to adapt seamlessly to various environments and situations

Despite these challenges, manufacturers continue to develop technology that outperforms and outlasts yesterday's hearing aids. And these changes are introduced at an incredible pace.

For example, we have witnessed rapid progress in hearing aid batteries . Only a few years ago, we were hesitant to recommend rechargeable batteries. Previous generations of rechargeable batteries sacrificed processing power or would not last a full day.

Today, rechargeable batteries no longer sacrifice power, and they are just as convenient as you expect. It only took a few generations to advance the technology to deliver convenient recharging, all-day power and no sacrifices to processing power.

And we expect many features to continue to evolve to offer more benefits with fewer trade-offs.

Future of hearing aid technology

The hearing aid advancements that we are looking forward to likely won't revolutionize the technology. Instead, they will continue the ongoing evolution of the technology so hearing aids simply work better for more people.

For you – this means that hearing aids will better match your hearing needs and adapt to different rooms, environments or noises.

For clinicians – this means that we can better optimize your hearing aids to the specific challenges that you face.

Here is what we expect from hearing aid technology as it progresses in 2022 and beyond.

Improved processing power

Just as computers get faster every year, so do hearing aids. Improved processing power allows hearing aids to make better decisions according to the information they receive.

For example, hearing aids evaluate the signals they receive and decide how to balance the output to help you hear the sounds you want while reducing the noises you don’t want to hear. As hearing aids get quicker and smarter, they can use more information to make better decisions – and make decisions quicker.

What this means for you: You will notice fewer situations or places where the hearing aids aren't providing the balance or types of sounds that you expected. More importantly, your hearing aids will naturally adjust to environments that were previously difficult.

Technology we are watching: Improved processing power enables advanced technologies in Widex Moment hearing aids, such as real-time speech enhancements, quicker signal processing times, and the ability to capture a wider range of softer or louder sounds without distortion. Together, these advancements contribute to more natural sounds and were the reason the Widex Moment was an honoree at the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show Innovation Awards.

Expanded AI technology

As fancy as artificial intelligence (AI) tech sounds, it is simply the ability of hearing aids to leverage improved processing power. They can evaluate more information through more layers of analysis, all while learning what works and what doesn't.

What this means for you: You can expect your hearing aids to work better in complex situations. From managing unwanted feedback from wind to clarifying sounds related to speech, AI works behind the scenes so there will be fewer circumstances where you notice your hearing aids.

Technology we are watching: Leverage deep learning technology, the Oticon More series of hearing aids have 12 million sound scenes built into the programming. The hearing aids analyze the environment to seamlessly select the sound scene that is most appropriate to reduce background noise, manage feedback and enhance speech.

Easier to fit the wearer

When we talk about "hearing aid fit," the physical fit is only a small part of the equation. A properly fitted hearing aid matches the specific hearing levels of the wearer, meaning they are precisely programmed to deliver support for the hearing challenges you experience.

Advancements in hearing aid technology provide more settings and channels to fine-tune and more data for clinicians to analyze.

What this means for you: Your clinician will be able to better program and adapt the hearing aids according to the data from your hearing test and your hearing challenges. There isn’t one “correct” way to program hearing aids, so your clinician can leverage the additional settings and channels to better personalize your devices.

Technology we are watching: For you, the Phonak Audéo Paradise hearing aids deliver crisp natural sound and come with a smartphone app to monitor and adjust the devices. For your clinician, Phonak’s innovative app captures data that can be used to fine-tune the hearing aids – even remotely.

Rechargeable batteries are here to stay

New rechargeable batteries allow all-day power without sacrificing performance. As the batteries continue to improve, we expect manufacturers to continue pushing the limit for hours of operation while delivering the power necessary for advanced processing.

What this means for you: For many people, rechargeable hearing aids are easier to integrate into their daily routine. Simply charge the devices while you sleep or on-the-go in portable chargers.

Technology we are watching: The new Pure Charge&Go AX hearing aids from Signia boast up to 36 hours of use on a single charge, and you can use the portable charger to recharge on-the-go. These hearing aids also include two separate processors to simultaneously manage the sounds you want to focus on and background noises.

Integration with more devices

Hearing aids have long spearheaded connectivity tech – early Bluetooth connectivity was introduced to hearing aids even before the first iPhone was released. Over the years, more levels of connectivity have been introduced to seamlessly connect hearing aids to devices in your pocket, car, home and beyond.

Looking forward, hearing aids will better integrate with accessories and assistive listening devices. We expect the options for streaming to continue to grow.

What this means for you: You can expect hearing aids to allow for seamless streaming to your personal devices without finicking with the settings. Also, more accessories (like remote microphones and phone adaptors) will be introduced or improved.

Technology we are watching: Remote microphones can zoom into the sounds you want to hear, such as a group conversation within a noisy room. The Phonak Roger On remote microphones adapt to pick up the person that is speaking, whether in one-on-one conversations or in large auditoriums. You can use the mobile app to pinpoint the mic towards the source you want to hear and adjust the microphone’s settings.

Technology will help you focus on what matters

Improvements in hearing aid technology are solving some of the challenges that were once ubiquitous with hearing aids. With every generation, more and more of these challenges are disappearing.

For both wearers and clinicians, we can focus more on the aspects of your hearing aids that work well – and how to best leverage the technology for success.

Do I Have Hearing Loss?

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:46:14 GMT

Hearing loss is a condition that can develop gradually, often over the course of many years.

Often, the person affected does not realize a hearing loss exists until it begins to cause problems with how they communicate or a loved one urges them to seek help.

If a hearing loss is detected, early intervention will increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.

At the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta, we recommend a hearing assessment every one to two years as part of your regular check-up. Your clinician will review your previous test results, medical history, noise exposure and conduct a communication assessment to determine if a problem with your hearing is developing. If you are bothered by tinnitus, our tinnitus assessment will provide additional information.

Hearing Loss is Common

Hearing loss is an issue many Canadians deal with on a daily basis.

One out of every ten Canadians – of all ages – lives with some form of hearing loss.
Hearing loss affects half of people over 65.
7 out of 10 people with a hearing loss are under the age of 60.

The team at the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta is dedicated to reducing the negative effects of hearing loss. We use our expertise to find the most appropriate technology and treatment options available to improve your quality of life, regardless of age.

Signs of Hearing Loss

Asking for repetition.
Missing key words in conversation and being forced to fill in the context.
Difficulty hearing or understanding certain consonants.
Hearing sound but not being able to make out what is being said.
Speech sounds muffled.
Need to turn up the television or radio.
Missing alarms.
Difficulty in the presence of background noise or in situations when more than one person is speaking.
Starting to avoid social settings or events in fear of not hearing properly.
Feeling strained after extensive listening.
Increased reliance on lip reading for content.
Experiencing ringing (tinnitus) in your ears.
Experiencing tolerance issues with loud sounds.
Localizing where sounds are coming from.

Causes of Hearing Loss

Aging

Natural aging of the auditory system (also referred to as presbycusis) is the most common type of sensorineural hearing loss. It occurs gradually and initially affects the ability to hear higher frequency (higher pitched) sounds.

Noise Exposure

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) results from repetitive exposure to damaging noise (85 dB or louder) or extreme bursts of excessively loud noise (called acoustic trauma). It most commonly affects how you hear high-frequency sounds.

Genetics

Various forms of hearing loss can be hereditary or be caused by a genetic dysfunction of the auditory system.

Congenital

Hearing loss can result from experiences in the womb (resulting from exposure to drugs or alcohol, maternal diabetes, infections, preeclampsia, RH abnormalities or anoxia) or at birth (premature birth, low birth rate, severe jaundice, use of forceps or other extenuating circumstances).

Head Trauma and Concussions

Injury to the head can result in different types of hearing loss, including damage to the inner, outer or middle ear. It can also affect more than one part of the ear.

Medications

The side effects of certain medications have been known to affect the auditory system (usually the inner ear and auditory nerve). This has similar side effects to what is seen from chemical exposure.

Disorders of the Ear

Outer ear

Excessive wax
Foreign objects
Abnormal growths in the ear canal
Malformation of the ear
Infections

Middle ear

· Infections

· Eardrum perforation

· Eustachian tube dysfunction

· Otosclerosis

· Cholesteatoma

· Barotrauma

· Middle ear bone dysfunction

· Foreign objects

Inner ear and beyond

· Meniere’s disease

· Vestibular disorders

· Acoustic neuroma

· Autoimmune diseases

· Nerve disorders

Auditory processing disorders

Body disorders and diseases

· Meningitis

· Chickenpox

· Smallpox

· Severe fevers

· Shingles

· Viruses

· Anti-immune diseases

· Obesity

· Strokes,

· Disorders that affect the nervous system

· STD’s

· Hypertension and circulatory system disorders

· Smoking, drug use

Types of Hearing Loss

Not all hearing loss is the same. Many effective treatments have been designed to reduce the effects of the various forms of hearing loss.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss typically results from an inner ear dysfunction. If part of the inner ear is damaged, it is more difficult to transform mechanical energy into the electrical energy that is sent to the brain.

Sensorineural hearing loss can be the result of damage to the neural pathways or damage to the cochlea or hair cells. (“Sensory” refers to the cochlea and hair cells, while “neural” refers to the neural pathways.) It can be difficult to diagnose the type of damage in a traditional hearing test, so various types of inner-ear damage are grouped together.

Characteristic signs of sensorineural hearing loss

Voices seem loud enough but are not clear
Difficulties hearing sounds, especially soft sounds
Difficulties distinguishing and differentiating among sounds, even loud sounds
Low-level sounds are perceived to be far too soft, and high-level sounds are too loud
Often accompanied by tinnitus

Causes of sensorineural hearing loss

Aging
Damage from noise
Heredity or congenital
Illness or medicine
Acoustic neuroma (benign tumours near the auditory nerve)
Strokes

Treatment
Hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear or the nerve paths cannot be treated surgically or medically. Many people with sensorineural loss can, however, benefit from hearing aids. If the damage is too severe to benefit from hearing aids, cochlear implants are an option.

Conductive Hearing Loss

When sound is not conducted optimally through the outer or middle ear, the result is a conductive hearing loss. The specific hearing loss can originate in external ear, ear canal, eardrum, ossicles (middle ear bones) or a combination of these.

A conductive hearing impairment usually gives rise to mild to moderate hearing loss. The loss can affect all frequencies relatively uniformly or be especially pronounced in the low-frequency region.

Causes of conductive hearing loss
Ear wax completely blocking the ear canal
Inflammation of the middle ear
Perforation of the eardrum
Otosclerosis
Fracture in the chain of ossicles
Deformity of the outer ear

Treatment

Most conductive hearing losses can be treated medically or surgically, such as when the hearing loss is caused by inflammation of the middle ear.

When surgical or medical intervention is not an option, people with conductive hearing loss can often be helped with hearing aids.

Mixed Hearing Loss

When a portion of the hearing loss is sensorineural and a portion is conductive, it is referred to as a mixed hearing loss.

Treatment

Some mixed hearing losses may be medically or surgically treated, depending on the location or nature of damage.

Reducing the Risks of Noise Exposure

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:46:13 GMT

Reducing the Risks of Noise Exposure

Noise exposure is the second largest contributor to sensorineural hearing loss . Aging is the most common contributor, but that is something we are unable to control. At work, home and beyond, use these strategies to reduce your risk of damage from loud noises.

Occupational Noise Exposure

Noise exposure at work is often gradual, unless you suffered from an acoustic trauma (such as an explosion, mechanical blow-up or unprotected firearm use). For industrial noises, the greatest amount of damage usually occurs within the first 10 to 15 years of exposure.

Gradual exposure to excessive noise can permanently damage your hair cells. Acoustic trauma may cause initial permanent damage or a temporary shift of hearing sensitivity (called a temporary threshold shift) that may later recuperate to varying degrees. Noise trauma to the cochlea may make it more difficult to hear clearly. That means the volume of sounds may be adequate, but words are difficult to understand because certain sounds are not clear.

Many employees are exposed to hazardous noise daily. Even with hearing protection, noise induced hearing loss is still possible. The potential for hearing damage is a function of the amount of time you are exposed to noise after the noise has been attenuated (or buffered) by your hearing protection.

Any individual exposed to occupational noise should have their hearing assessed within the first six months of employment and at least every two years to continue monitoring hearing thresholds. Keep track of these records yourself because these records are only required to be kept for 10 years by the individuals doing the tests.

The Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta provides audiogram reviews and consultation services for workplaces with a higher risk of noise exposure. We can also review abnormal hearing baselines and suggest further referrals as necessary.

Recreational Noise Exposure

Recreational noise can do just as much harm as occupational noise! Any noises that are 85 dB or louder can be potentially harmful.

We are often aware of the obvious noises, such as ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, loud engines, chainsaws, firearms, loud music and heavy equipment. But there are many everyday noises that we may not think about when used on a regular basis that could be contributing to the demise of our hair cells. This includes lawnmowers, power tools, vacuums and even some hair dryers.

Hearing Protection

Hearing protection comes in many different forms and fits.

The most common types of personal hearing protection devices (PHPD’s) are earmuffs, custom ear plugs and disposable earplugs. These all come in varying noise reduction ratings (NRR), sizes, saturation levels and are equipped with differing noise or speech filtration systems.

A higher NRR means the device should dampen more sounds. But be cautious when considering the NRR – the ratings depend on the device’s age, fit, size and filters, in addition to the wearer’s hearing sensitivity.

PHPD’s are not one-size-fits-all and wear out over time. Earmuffs have replacement recommendations for the unit itself as well as the pads that cushion the user’s ears. It is recommended that the user refer to the provided manual for those recommendations and adhere to them for the best noise reduction. Earmuffs that are not very tight to the head are not effective.

Custom ear plugs typically have a shorter life expectancy due to the materials they are made of (most commonly a soft silicone). They can crack, break, shrink and eventually wear down. As well, the ear canal can change over time. Replacement of custom ear plugs is usually recommended after a couple of years.

Disposable earplugs can provide some of the best attenuation due to the tight seal, assuming the NRR is enough and they are inserted correctly. Earplugs are the most common devices to use when “doubling up” on hearing protection – they fit nicely under a set of earmuffs.

Guide to Selecting Hearing Aids

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:46:11 GMT

Guide to Selecting Hearing Aids

Purchasing hearing aids can be an overwhelming task! Once you have decided on a specific style, it is then time to decide what features of the devices would be the most beneficial.

Benefits of Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are the first step to improving your communication abilities. The most significant benefit of using hearing aids is to improve audibility. When your hearing is impaired, the full spectrum of sound isn’t available to you. Hearing aids improve daily interaction.

Hearing aids can help with the localization of sound (that is, help us to determine where a sound is coming from). It also helps gives us a sensation of hearing balance: if your hearing sensitivity is different in each ear, they will help sounds become more balanced.

Research shows that being proactive with amplification can help us later in life as our cognition begins to change. It is easier for our auditory system to relearn how to hear using hearing aids as soon as we start to experience hearing loss. If hearing loss is left untreated, we experience deprivation for a longer time and may not relearn how to hear as well.

Improvement in concentration and reduction of strain is another common positive effect of using hearing aids. When we stimulate the auditory system with what it was missing, it takes less working memory to hear or listen. This can result in improved attention.

Some individuals may isolate themselves from certain social settings, gatherings and public functions due to the fear of “not hearing.” Hearing aids can increase an individual’s confidence in those areas and encourage involvement once again in those environments because now they “can hear!”

Hearing loss can affect how we live our daily life. Compensating for that hearing loss with hearing aids can restore a sense of independence and self-empowerment. It is good for the soul to feel in control in our day-to-day activities.

Levels of Technology

The level of technology in hearing aids has the greatest impact on how you will hear with hearing aids and the level of technology in hearing aids will determine their price.

All major hearing aid manufacturers usually have around four different levels of technology. These levels of technology exist independent of style (how the hearing aids look) and features (such as connectivity). The four levels of technology are:

Advanced
Intermediate
Basic
Economy

Hearing aids are run by amazing miniature computers. The technology level in a hearing aid determines the ability for the computer to process sounds, which translates to how hard the hearing aid will work to help you hear in challenging situations and keep you comfortable in noise.

We are often asked what level of technology we recommend. If price is not a consideration, we always recommend hearing aids with the most advanced technology. These hearing aids have the fewest limitations and tend to result in the best possible hearing experience. However, the decision also needs to consider your lifestyle, your hearing challenges and your budget.

Advanced hearing aids are engineered with all the latest sound processing technologies. These capabilities include precise matching of the volume to the wearer’s hearing loss, the best reduction in unwanted whistling, the purest sound in challenging environments and the optimal reduction in background noise with the least impact to understanding speech.

In each subsequent level of technology, capabilities are removed. Every step to intermediate, basic and economy levels compromises the technological capabilities for reductions in price. Depending on your lifestyle and communication needs, your clinician will outline the technologies that will make the biggest difference and will contribute to success with your hearing aids.

Advanced

The best available technology.
Provides the most precise correction of your hearing loss.
Provides better hearing in the greatest variety of listening situations.
With the most resolved sound quality and least number of limitations due to the advanced computer chip.
Equipped with the most advanced automatic functions usually resulting in the most hassle-free use.
Warranty for 3 to 4 years.

Intermediate

Some of the advanced features have been removed, resulting in a lower price.
Less precise correction of your hearing loss compared to an advanced hearing aid.
Automatically adapts to fewer situations compared to an advanced hearing aid.
Warranty for 3 years.

Basic

More features have been removed.
There is some automatic adaptability.
There is less precise correction of your hearing loss compared to an intermediate hearing aid.
Warranty for 2 to 3 years.

Economy

The least number of automatic features.
Limited range and precision of correction.
Lowest cost option.
Warranty for 2 years.

Hearing Aid Options

Because of the advances in hearing technology, you have many options. To help you choose the right style, keep the following factors in mind:

Ear size
Degree of hearing loss
Aesthetic look
Ease of use
Communication needs/expectations
Price

Hearing Aid Costs

When purchasing a hearing aids, the cost of the device is mainly dependent on the technology level. At the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta, we like to complete an individual communication plan for every client considering hearing aid technology. In that plan we discuss everything from style, budget, options for hearing aid funding , expectations of the technology, lifestyle requirements, warranties and available accessories.

How to Adjust to New Hearing Aids

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:46:10 GMT

How to Adjust to New Hearing Aids

Obtaining hearing aids is the first step towards improving your hearing and your quality of life.

Fitting hearing aids is a unique experience that will differ from one person to another. There is no one set formula or procedure for all. That is why it is important at the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta that each person is treated as an individual.

It usually takes some time to adapt successfully to the new sounds you will hear and to obtain the maximum benefit from your new hearing aids. These suggestions will help with your adjustment.

Start Out Slowly

While some people can put on hearing aids for the first time and wear them all day in any environment, some people cannot. It may be advantageous to begin using your hearing aids in your own home, where you have more control over the variety of sounds you will hear and their intensities. Use your comfort level as a guide. If after several hours you want to take off your hearing aids, then you should. Allow your ears (and your brain) to rest and then put the hearing aids back on again.

Learn to Live with Background Sounds

Your new hearing aids will amplify all of the sounds of your life, not just speech. When your hearing was normal, all the extra noises you could hear were placed into your background so that they did not distract you. Until you become accustomed to the sounds of life again, you may have difficulty “tuning them out.” Listen for the background sounds in your life and learn to recognize them (and then ignore them). If the presence and level of the background noises are causing you to remove your hearing devices, it is crucial to inform your clinician for further monitoring.

Feedback

In certain circumstances, it is not abnormal to hear a bit of a whistle or squeal when you cup your hearing aids. In the more open-fit style hearing aids, this can be quite normal and a way to tell if the instrument is on and working. But if it is causing distress, there are modifications that can be made to reduce this effect. Should you experience feedback and it is a bother, consult your clinician.

Your Voice will Sound Different

Just like the voices of others are louder and clearer, you will notice your own voice will sound different as well. Depending on the amount of hearing loss you have, you may not have been hearing your voice properly for some time. Often your own voice will initially sound louder and harsher than it used to. Within a week of consistent hearing aid use, your voice should start to sound more “normal” as you acclimatize to better hearing.

Getting Used to Something in Your Ear

It may take some time to get used to the hearing aid in your ear. This will become more comfortable with time and use. If the hearing aid is causing any discomfort after a week, notify your clinician. Many adjustments can be made to ensure your devices are more comfortable.

Enlist the Assistance of a Learning Partner

You may find it helpful to begin listening with your new hearing aids by conversing about familiar topics with only one person (such as a spouse, neighbour or friend) in the absence of any other distracting sounds. After a day or two, you may want to introduce some background noise from the television or radio. It may be helpful as you become accustomed to your hearing aids to listen to your learning partner read aloud from a newspaper or magazine while you read along silently.

Practice Speech-Sound Discrimination

Prepare a list of words that may differ by a single sound (for example: fish/dish, mop/top, bike/bite.). While your learning partner pronounces the pairs of words, watch the lip movements and become familiar with the visual aspects of sound discrimination. Then repeat the task without watching and concentrate on the subtle sound differences between the word pairs. Keep in mind that some speech sounds are identical on the lips (for example: pan/man, bat/mat, sell/tell). Also, keep in mind that auditory discrimination with impaired ears can be difficult and you may not be able to make some distinctions. But with practice, you will improve.

Gradually Extend Your Horizons

As you become more experienced with your hearing aids, gradually expand the diversity of listening environments and the variety of people with whom you communicate. You will find that some situations and some voices are easier for you. Certainly, listening within groups will be more difficult than one-on-one conversations. When listening in groups, concentrate primarily on the person who is talking the most. You may miss an occasional word or phrase, but try not to get “hung up” on single words and listen for the idea behind what is being said. And always watch the speaker’s face. Even without formal training in speech reading (lip reading), understanding improves when you have a clear view of the face.

Work Towards an Ideal Volume Setting

Most often, new hearing aid users would choose to wear their hearing aids at a volume setting that is less than optimal. This is normal, as they are not fully familiar or comfortable with the amplified sounds they hear.

Depending on your discussion with your clinician and your preferences, hearing aids are either initially set at a comfortable but slightly less than ideal volume setting (with the intention of increasing the volume to an ideal setting over a period of time) or are set initially at an ideal volume setting.

If you are able to adjust the volume on your hearing aids and you find that something in your environment is uncomfortably loud, turn down the hearing aids until the sound is “loud but OK.” If sounds are loud but OK, leave the volume to help your auditory system to get used to these new sounds. Over time, these sounds that seem loud initially will start to sound comfortable. If you are unable to adjust the volume of your hearing aids and are finding some sounds uncomfortably loud, please discuss this with your clinician.

Use your hearing aids all your waking hours, unless you are around loud sounds that could potentially damage your hearing (such as power tools, lawnmowers or some work environments). If you are around loud sounds, it is best to remove your hearing aids and wear hearing protection. The casing of the hearing aids will not adequately protect your hearing. If you have concerns about hearing damage from loud sounds, discuss them with your clinician.

Do Not Become Discouraged

Remember, you did not lose your hearing overnight. And it is unlikely that you will become fully adapted to your new hearing aids right away. By practicing these suggestions and using some communication guidelines, you will continue to improve how you are managing your hearing loss.

Additional Assistance

You will find that hearing aids may not help in every situation. If you find you continue to have problems hearing the telephone ring, hearing the smoke alarm, hearing in the car, hearing at the theatre or cinema, at religious services or similar settings, discuss this with your clinician. There are devices and accessories designed specifically for a variety of difficult areas.

Communication Strategies

To be the best communicator and communication partner that you can be, it is important to integrate any strategies that can facilitate, enhance or repair the communication process (and augment the benefits received from your hearing aids). Hearing aids help with audibility and speech discrimination, but if a word is missed or misheard, it is the effective use of communication strategies that will save the conversation.

Attend an Aural Rehabilitation Class

An aural rehabilitation class will provide a deeper understanding of how communication strategies can be used to increase the effectiveness of your communications, increase the number of strategies available to you and increase the frequency with which these strategies are used. Consult the clinic for the available class topics and times.

What Happens When You Wear Hearing Aids

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:46:07 GMT

What Happens When You Wear Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are an amazing tool to help you communicate effectively with others and improve your overall quality of life. Understanding how our auditory system responds to sounds from hearing aids will help to achieve these incredible benefits.

When you start wearing hearing aids , your body and brain have to acclimatize to new sounds. There are physiological mechanisms that respond to increased amplification from hearing aids. Often, the annoyances of wearing hearing aids tend to diminish as your auditory system gets used to the new devices.

This guide reviews how the auditory system adapts to new hearing aids.

How Our Body Adapts to Sound

The auditory system is responsible for hearing. Like many sensory systems in our bodies, the auditory system is capable of adapting to loud or soft sounds so we can hear a wider range of sounds.

This process uses the principle of automatic gain control, which is a common principle in audio engineering. For example, radios can adapt to strong or weak signals and output a sound that is consistent. This means the volume of the radio is consistent for weak or strong signals.

In our bodies, automatic gain control is often used to regulate the reaction or response to sensory input, independent of the actual amount of sensory input. An example of automatic gain control is how our eyes adjust when we change from a dimly lit room to a brightly lit room. In this case, the environment (the input) varies in brightness, but the goal of our visual system is to optimize visual acuity and comfort (the output) regardless of the changes in the brightness of the environment. While it may take several seconds for our visual system to adapt, we adapt to see fairly well in most environments regardless of the amount of light.

In our auditory systems, the sound processing centres in the brain regulate the auditory input so that our response (the perception of loudness) is similar regardless of the actual volume of the auditory input.

For example, when you enter a crowded restaurant, your initial impression of the loudness of the restaurant may be: “It’s loud, but I can manage it.” After several minutes, most people would adjust their answer and say that the loudness of the restaurant is “comfortable.” Even though the loudness of the restaurant has not changed, the auditory system has naturally adjusted.

The automatic gain control works in your body by your neural activity automatically adjusting to your environment. Our bodies can adapt to a wide range of environments, from quiet libraries to crowded arenas.

When a person has a hearing loss, the auditory system experiences decreased input. That means the neural activity in the auditory system is higher than it is for someone with normal hearing.

When a person with hearing loss is fit with hearing aids, the auditory system experiences increased input. Since the neural activity of the auditory system is very high, hearing with hearing aids makes everything sound very loud initially. With consistent use of the hearing aids, neural levels in the auditory system decrease and hearing with the hearing aids becomes normal.

Impacts of Acclimatizing to Amplification

The core function of hearing aids is to amplify sounds. The impacts of amplification on our auditory systems are not isolated to our ears. What happens in our auditory system has an impact on other neurological systems in our bodies.

Two systems that are connected to the auditory system are the limbic system and the autonomic nervous system. The limbic system is a multi-functional part of the brain that acts as the control centre for our emotions. The autonomic nervous system is another complex control centre that regulates most of the things that we do unconsciously, such as breathing, pumping blood and digestion. The autonomic nervous system is also responsible for the physical reactions that are involved in “fight or flight” responses, such as increased heart rate, inhibition of digestion, anxiety, aggression, depression, difficulty sleeping and lack of focus.

When a person begins to wear amplification for the first time, there is a sudden increase in the sound input. Because it takes some time for the brain to adjust its neural levels, everything may seem abnormally loud.

This unusually strong auditory activation results in stimulation of both the limbic and autonomic nervous systems, creating a physical and an emotional response.

As a result, it is not uncommon for people to feel anxious or on edge when they try hearing aids for the first time. It is normal to have difficulty concentrating or even suffer stomach pains or headaches.

These side effects are only temporary. Once the neural levels in the auditory system begin to decrease and everything sounds more “normal,” the physical and psychological side effects will also subside.

But there is a crucial caveat: if a person does not wear their hearing aids for all of their waking hours, the neural levels in the auditory system will never adjust and the input will never sound “normal.”

Whenever you wear your hearing aids (even while watching TV or on a walk with a friend), you are retraining your brain to get used to the amplification. Your brain has the amazing ability to adapt, but it may take time for sounds to become normal.

Tips to Acclimatize to Hearing Aids

While the acclimatization period of new hearing aids may be difficult, it is a critical process to go through.

There are a few things that can be done to minimize the negative impacts of the acclimatization process:

See a qualified clinician. They are able to foster a sense of understanding about amplification and the acclimatization process, and they have tools to make it easier to consistently use hearing aids.
Instead of fixating on the negative side effects, focus on the positive aspects of amplification. Reflect on how your hearing aids have improved your communication and quality of life.
Manage hearing loss with amplification as soon as possible. The longer neural levels in the auditory system are increased due to decreased input (hearing loss), the longer it takes for the brain to adjust. That means the acclimation process may be longer and more difficult. Hearing care is rehabilitation. Just like when you break a leg, the rehab process is easier when you start it earlier.

Top Hearing Aid Tips

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:46:06 GMT

Physical Fit

With practice, your hearing aids will get easier and easier to insert.
Give yourself enough time to put your hearing aid in your ear.
There are usually some blue markings on the left hearing aid and red markings on the right hearing aid.
There is no wrong way to put your hearing aid in your ear, as long as it is sitting properly at the end (the end justifies the means). Find a technique that works the best for you.
Initially the hearing aids may feel snug or itchy. This feeling should diminish over time until you can almost forget the hearing aids are there.
If the hearing aid causes any pain or pressure in your ear, please let your clinician know. There may be a problem with the fit. Sometimes it takes several days for a hearing aid to become uncomfortable.
Once the hearing aid has been properly inserted, it should stay put. If the hearing aid seems to move when you are eating, talking or moving your jaw, call the office immediately to discuss this. There may be a problem with the fit.
Whistling or feedback will normally occur when amplified sound coming from the sound outlet arrives back at the microphone. This can happen when the hearing aid is being inserted or removed (OK), when a hand or telephone is placed too close to the hearing aid (OK), when the hearing aid is not inserted properly (check the placement of the hearing aid in the ear), or when the hearing aid moves out of place with jaw movement (not OK– please let us know).
Feedback can also become a problem if the hearing aid microphone or receiver gets dislodged (usually through overly aggressive cleaning) or when the ear canal gets completely or partially blocked with wax.
If your hearing aid is turned on and you cup it in your fist, the hearing aid should feedback (whistle). This can be a good way to check that the battery is working.

On and Off

Turn the hearing aid off when it is not in your ear. This will save the battery and will prevent the hearing aid from whistling when you may not be able to hear it.

Batteries

Hearing aid batteries are air activated. The tab on the positive side of the battery is what keeps the battery fresh.
Hearing aid batteries are colour-coded by size. If you are buying a hearing aid battery from an unfamiliar brand, look for colouring similar to the batteries you normally use (10 yellow, 312 brown, 13 orange, 675 blue).
The batteries should be stored at room temperature with the tabs on.
Batteries should never touch each other (with or without the tabs on) as this can discharge the batteries and severely shorten their life.
Once the tab is removed from the battery, the battery starts to drain whether or not the hearing aid is turned on. Of course, it will drain faster when the hearing aid is turned on.
Practice the 5-minute rule. Before a new battery is used for the first time, take the sticker of the battery and let it sit for 5 minutes before closing the battery door. This allows the battery time to fully activate, promising the longest battery life.
A hearing aid battery will last between 4 and 7 days (or longer) depending on the size of the battery, the amount of noise that you are in, the type of hearing loss you have as well as the type of hearing aid that you have.
During the first two months or so that you are starting to use your new hearing aid, it is worthwhile to track how much life you are getting from your batteries. When you place a new battery in the hearing aid, place the battery tab on your calendar (or note the date some other way). Once you know the expected lifetime of your batteries, you will be better able to troubleshoot problems if your hearing aid stops working.
Some batteries are faulty and will not last as long as others. But generally, batteries are fairly reliable. If you suspect a battery has died (without warning), put one new battery in the hearing aid, preferably from a different package than the one you just replaced. If the hearing aid is still not working, suspect that the sound outlet or the microphone may be blocked.
If your other hearing aid is working, you can put the “dead” battery in the working hearing aid to confirm that the battery is indeed the problem.
The batteries have quite a long shelf life. It is a good practice not to purchase more than a one year’s supply at a time. Battery packages usually have expiration dates on the back, which are usually two years from the date of manufacture.
We carry a premium Rayovac battery, which has the highest quality control standards and maintains the most constant voltage.
We do not recommend purchasing batteries from drug stores or electronics stores, which likely have a very low battery turnover. It is likely the batteries you are purchasing are already fairly old.
If you insert a battery into your hearing aid and the battery door will not easily close, the battery is likely backwards.
Hearing aid batteries are designed to maintain a constant voltage and then drop fairly quickly (sometimes within minutes) at the end of their life.
Most hearing aids have a low battery warning when the battery voltage drops below a certain level. If the battery dies when the hearing aid is turned off, you will not get a warning and it will not work when you turn it on.

Cleaning Your Hearing Aids

Wax and moisture are the leading causes of hearing aid failure and the need for hearing aid repairs.
Although Alberta is fairly dry, moisture in hearing aids can be a problem. Do not store your hearing aids in humid areas of the house such as the bathroom or kitchen. Be aware of putting hearing aids on with wet hair or when washing your face. Be cautious wearing hearing aids in the rain. Some ears are moister than others, and some people are more prone to perspire.
To eliminate moisture as a concern, nightly use of a hearing aid dehumidifier is recommended. A dehumidifier will passively remove moisture overnight.
The dehumidifier is filled with rechargeable desiccant gel crystals and they change colour as they absorb moisture.
After one to two years, the crystals in the hearing aid dehumidifier can no longer be recharged and it will be time to replace the dehumidifier.
Avoid getting dust and debris into the microphone openings. Hair sprays, perfume and makeup can also clog the microphone opening or screen.
Hearing aids get lost or damaged when they are not in your ears and get knocked off counters or are crushed in pockets.
Start practicing good habits with where you place the hearing aid when it is not in your ear. Always put the hearing aid in the dehumidifier or in a sealed hard box when it is not in your ear.
Animals are also very attracted to ear wax, so keep your hearing aids safe from pets.
The goal of wax prevention is to stop wax from getting into the device’s electronics. If your hearing aid has a wax guard , it should be replaced regularly (at least once a month but as often as necessary).
Your ear may produce more wax in the first few months of acclimatizing to a hearing aid.
If your hearing aid stops working suddenly, the most common reason is because wax is blocking the sound outlet. Change the wax guard or clean the sound outlet as the first step in troubleshooting the cause of the problem.

Hearing Loops in the Edmonton Region

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:46:05 GMT

Front counter loops are available at these public library locations.

Abbotsfield (3410 118 Ave NW)
Calder (12522 132 Ave)
Capilano (200 Capilano Mall 5615-101 Ave)
Castle Downs (15379 Castle Downs Road NW)
Clareview (3808-139 Ave)
Highlands (6710-118 Ave)
Idylwylde (8310-88 Ave)
Jasper Place (9010-156 ST)
Lois Hole (17650 69 Ave NW)
Londonderry (110 Londonderry Mall 137 Ave 66 ST)
McConachie (16607-50 ST NW)
Meadows (2702-17 ST)
Riverbend (460 Riverbend Square Rabbit Hill Road & Terwillegar Drive)
Sprucewood (11555-95 St)
Strathcona (8331 104 ^th ST)
West Henday Promenade (818 Webber Greens Dr)
Whitemud Crossing (#145 WMC Shopping Centre 4211 106 ST)
Woodcroft (13420-114 Ave NW)

Edmonton City Hall

River Room (Wide area looping)
Heritage Room (Wide area looping)
Service Counter (Counter hearing loop)
Information area
Portable Loop System (Available for wide area)
Council Chambers (Wide area looping)

Edmonton Business Tower

17 Kiosks on Floor 2 and 3
6 Meeting Rooms on Floors 2 and 3

Edmonton Recreation Centres

Front counter loops are available at these recreation centres.

ACT Aquatic and Recreation Centre (2909-113 Ave)
Bonnie Doon Leisure Centre (8648-81 St)
Central Lions Recreation Centre (11113-113 St)
City Arts Centre (10943 - 84 Ave)
Clareview Community Recreation Centre (3804-139 Ave)
Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre (11000 Stadium Road)
Confederation Leisure Centre (11204-43 Ave)
Eastglen Leisure Centre (11410-68 St.)
Grand Trunk Leisure Centre (13025-112 St.)
Hardisty Fitness and Leisure Centre (10535-65 St.)
Jasper Place Leisure Centre (9200-163 St.)
John Janzen Nature Centre (7000 - 143 St.)
Londonderry Fitness and Leisure Centre (14528-66 St)
Millwoods Recreation Centre (7207-28 Ave.)
Muttart Conservatory (9626 - 96A Street)
O’Leary Leisure Centre (8804-132 Ave.)
Peter Hemingway Fitness and Leisure Centre (13808-111 Ave.)
St Francis Xavier Leisure Centre (9240-163 St.)
Terwillegar Leisure Centre (2051 Leger Road)
The Meadows Community Recreation Centre (2704-17 St.)

Theatres and Other Facilities in Edmonton

Walterdale Theatre (Both the box office counter loop and audience wide area looping)
Citadel Box Office (Counter loop)
Citadel MacLab Theatre (Section area loop – ask for when boxing)
The Arts Barns (Box office counter looping and theatres area looping)
Edmonton churches (Three with area looping and two soon to be)
Banks in Edmonton and area (A number have now have counter hearing loops)
TD and Bank of Montreal in Mill Woods (Counter hearing loops)
Service Canada front counters (Counter hearing loops)

St. Albert and Area

City Hall Service Counters (Payment area)
St. Albert Library (Counter hearing loop)
Arden Theatre Box Office – Box Office (Counter hearing loop)
Arden Theatre Box Office – Theatre (Wide surface area hearing loop)
Service Place Rec Centre (Counter hearing loop)
Fountain Park Swimming Pool (Counter hearing loop)
ATB at Tudor Glen (Counter hearing loop)
RBC on Belrose (Counter hearing loop)
RCMP Police Station (Counter hearing loop)
Nameo United Church (Wide surface area hearing loop)
Clymont Community Hall (Wide surface area hearing loop)

Funding for Hearing Aids

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:46:03 GMT

The Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta will help you apply for funding you are eligible for from third-party funders. Major funders include:

Alberta Aids to Daily Living

Government of Alberta program
Seniors: 65 and older in Alberta are eligible for hearing aid funding, which is not dependent on income. ALL seniors are entitled to a certain amount of funding if they are 65 or older. Lower-income seniors may be eligible for further assistance and in combinations with Special Needs for Seniors Assistance.
Children: Qualify for certain amounts of funding from the Alberta government for hearing devices. The amount of funding depends on the family’s income and other factors.
Students: Full-time students ages 18 to 24 who are living at home are eligible for hearing aid funding.
Adults: Lower income adults may be eligible for hearing aid funding.

Workers’ Compensation Board

We are a trusted provider for all WCB’s across Canada.

Veterans’ Affairs Canada (VAC)

Government of Canada program
The ACNA is a provider for all VAC claimants.

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)

Government of Canada program
The ACNA is a provider

Big Stone Health Commission

Government of Canada program
The ACNA is a provider

Private Insurance Plans

We can direct bill many different private health coverage plans. Just call and confirm your private coverage is on the list.
Some insurance plans require you to pay up front and submit your invoice for reimbursement.

Troubleshooting Problems with Your Hearing Aids

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:45:59 GMT

How do I check that my hearing aid is on and working?

There are a few ways to check if your hearing aids are functioning:

You can cup it in your hand and if you hear whistling (feedback), it is on and working! Just be advised some hearing losses may not elicit a lot of whistle where others will elicit more.
Many hearing aids will have a sound indicator (in the form of verbal confirmation, a beep or a jingle) to indicate that the instrument is on, but quite often it occurs after a short delay of 10 to 12 seconds or immediately after the battery door is closed. Most people have to be very quick at inserting the instrument to hear it.
The “tickle” test: The wearer can always brush the microphone or cup their ear to see if they hear a scratching noise or hear a bit of feedback.

What do I do if my hearing aid is not working?

Try these steps if your hearing aid is not working. Consult your hearing professional at any point if you are not comfortable performing these suggestions. We are here to help and ensure you always hear optimally.

Ensure that there is a functioning battery inserted and that the battery is inserted correctly. This may require the wearer to try a new battery.
Change the wax guard in case it is plugged.
Clean the tubing (if possible) of any wax or debris.
For those who can see the microphones, ensure that they are free from debris. Your hearing aid may come with a tool to clean the microphone outlets.
Put the hearing aid in a dehumidifier overnight if you suspect moisture could be a cause of the hearing aid malfunctioning.

If you have completed the above steps and the aid is still dead, consult your clinician for further assistance!

What do I do if my hearing instrument seems to be working but not to its full capacity?

Perform the same steps as if your instrument were dead.

Many times, a partially plugged wax guard can dampen the sound.

With some batteries as they drain, they may start to attenuate sound especially if the wearer did not follow the 5-minute rule while inserting it. Also, if the battery is near expiry or stored in contact with another battery or not at room temperature, it can cause poor performance.

If the tubes or microphones are partially blocked, the sound may be attenuated.

What do I do if my hearing aid gets wet?

Most hearing aids have a moisture or water resistance rating called IP68. This means that a hearing aid should be able to be at a depth greater than one meter for 30 minutes and after drying off will work properly. If you get caught in the rain or hop in the shower for one minute with your devices on, they will probably be fine.

If your devices are submerged in water for longer periods of time, it is best to remove the device and take the battery out completely. Then set the hearing aid in the dehumidifier for an extended period (preferably 24 hours). If your devices work after that, then great! If not, consult your clinician.

What do I do if my hearing aid sounds funny?

First, perform all the same checks you would for a dead or weak device: change the battery, check the wax guard and ensure there is no debris in the microphone or tubing. If these all check out, then observe the battery compartment for corrosion. You can also check the tubing and ear hook for moisture (if moisture is present, leave them in your dehumidifier for an extended period of time). Double-check the program you are in if you have multiple to choose from and make sure you are in the default program. If you are unable to resolve your issues, consult your clinician.

What do I do if my hearing aid whistles in my ear even if it is in position correctly and nothing is cupping my ear?

Whistling or feedback will occur when amplified sound coming out of the speaker enters the microphone. Several things can cause this.

Ensure the device is inserted correctly. Check that all the components of the device are intact. Observe that the device has no evident cracks or holes in the housing, and ensure the tubing is tightly secured to your ear tip. Inspect the ear hook, making sure it is fastened to the hearing aid appropriately and is free from cracks or breakage. If anything seems to be damaged, consult your clinician.

If all appears to be intact and free of damage, the next step is to have your ear checked for wax. Blockage of the canal and eardrum can result in feedback.

Also evaluate the fit of the hearing aid. Does it feel as tight as it originally did? Does it seem to slip out of your ear, especially while you are chewing or talking? Have you recently experienced any physical changes such as major weight loss (as it can affect the shape of the ear canal)? Our ear canals can change over time and they can stretch. If that happens, it can affect the fit and result in feedback. If this seems to be the culprit, consult your clinician for a possible refit of your device.

How often should my devices be professionally checked?

We highly recommend that you have your hearing aids checked and tested every 6 months to ensure optimal functioning. This is a complimentary service we provide when you purchase your hearing aids at the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta.

Learn More About Hearing Aids

Explore the technology to live a better life with hearing challenges and tinnitus.

Top Assistive Listening Devices

zoolytics@zoolstra.com (Zoo Lytics) — Fri, 28 May 2021 22:45:55 GMT

Hearing aids are the most important step in improving communication for an individual with hearing loss and are extremely beneficial in most situations. In some cases, there may be accessories that will work in conjunction with your hearing aids to help improve hearing in noise, hearing the television and hearing on the phone.

Hearing aids have come a long way in the past several years! Now most hearing aids are equipped with Bluetooth streaming technology so they can connect directly to Apple and Android products. Not only do these devices directly connect to smartphones and tablets, but there are adaptors for the television that will stream the TV right to the users’ hearing aids.

Most manufacturers have microphone systems to help improve the signal-to-noise ratio when listening to someone in competing background noise. A communication partner will wear a microphone that sends the sound from that partner straight to the hearing aid! These systems can be simple and inexpensive for more basic use, but also there are more sophisticated systems for more extensive use in schools, conferences, live performances and religious services, which are more expensive but are the most effective at improving hearing in noise.

Hearing aids can also come equipped with a telecoil. This is a system that will pick up a special electromagnetic sound signal in certain environments, and then amplify the sound in the hearing aid. Simply having a telecoil program added to your hearing aid can enhance hearing in specially equipped environments. These electromagnetic signals are present in landline phones and in looped public places (called “hearing loops”). Common places with hearing loops include places of worship, theatres and libraries.

If you don’t have a smartphone or tablet, there are many options available for you! We also have accessories for anyone who doesn’t use hearing aids but needs help in situations such as watching TV or talking on the phone.

We also provide devices for individuals who may not be hearing aid candidates due to dexterity, mobility and cognitive difficulties that allows the user to wear a headset and the speaker to speak into a microphone that is directly connected to the headset of the individual with hearing loss. The most common make of this type of device is a Pocket Talker.

Devices can also be purchased for the hard of hearing to alert them in emergency situations, including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, doorbells, baby monitors, pagers, alarm clocks, call alerting devices, land-line phones, monitor headsets, amplified stethoscopes and for secondary sounds sources (stereos, desktop computers etc).

Our team can recommend the best assistive listening devices for your routines and hearing challenges.

Types of Hearing Protection Devices

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:45:54 GMT

Custom Noise Plugs

Offers the best attenuation of any type of custom ear plug. Noise plugs fit completely in the ear canal and can attenuate up to 25/26 dB. They are mostly used in loud industrial settings to block out as much noise as possible.

Custom Filtered Noise Plugs

Equipped with a filter or vent that filters some of the unwanted noise. It is not a complete occlusion as the filter or vent will leak some sound. Filtered noise plugs typically attenuate up to 20 dB and are used in situations where attenuation is important, but they need to be able to hear people talking with the plugs inserted.

Custom Musicians’ Plugs

There are several brands of custom-made musicians’ ear plugs. The hallmark of good musicians’ ear plugs is that they will reduce the noise level our ears are exposed to equally across the frequencies.

Most musicians’ plugs are offered in varying attenuations such as 25 dB, 15 dB and 9 dB.

They come with special filters that determines the amount of attenuation. It is recommended that you consult with one of our clinicians to determine which filter would best suit your needs as different levels of music exposure or environments will require a different filter. Please note, the filters usually can be exchanged or multiple filters can be used with a single set of musicians’ plugs as needed.

Communication Molds

We offer services to take impressions for communication molds from varying companies. Our earmold providers are limited in the communication molds they can build. We can assess the communication set requiring molds and determine if it can be done by our provider and if not take the impressions for the communication company to use directly.

Sleep Plugs

Sleep plugs are an occluded plug with no filter or vent that are sculpted to make comfort the primary goal because they are worn when sleeping. They tend to be a bit more concave and have less bulk in the bowl of the ear.

Swim Plugs

Swim plugs are very similar to custom noise plugs but are floatable. The primary use is for the protection of the outer ear when swimming. Quite often worn by kids and adults who have swimmer’s ear, are prone to outer ear infections, have undergone ear surgery or have experienced an eardrum perforation.

Multi-Use Non-Custom Musicians’ Ear Plugs

We carry non-custom plugs for musicians that come in standard sizes. These do not always provide the same quality of attenuation or comfort as custom musicians’ plugs, but these are a great option for people who may not want to purchase musicians’ plugs at this time but realize the importance of hearing protection.

Earmuffs

We do not carry earmuffs in the clinic, but we can point you in the right direction to find a quality device that will work for you.

Non-custom Earplugs

In a pinch, we do carry non-custom earplugs. Standard earplugs can also be purchased at pharmacies and many department stores that sell pharmaceutical-related goods and home and automotive stores. We recommend visiting Canadian Tire, Walmart, London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, Princess Auto and any work safety providers.

Essential Accessories for Hearing Aids

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:45:52 GMT

Hearing aid accessories help to maintain your devices and get the most out of their use.

Batteries

We carry all sizes of hearing aid batteries and offer a mail-out program to make getting batteries convenient.

Dry Aid Storage Units

One of the most common reasons a hearing aid breaks down is moisture! By using a dehumidifier , you decrease the likelihood of moisture causing repetitive malfunctions of your hearing aids.

These units can come in multiple forms, including passive desiccant containers and electric units.

Ear Gear

Ear Gear are best described as socks for your hearing aids! They are typically a spandex nylon covering that will fit over the hearing aid like a sock to help protect from excess moisture, debris and dust. They are highly recommended for active hearing aids users, such as sports enthusiasts, industrial trade employees, outdoors’ people and avid travellers. Ear Gear is great for any person exposed to constant dust, humidity or debris.

Ear Hygiene Products

Proper cleaning of hearing devices is recommended to ensure appropriate hygiene steps to avoid potentially harmful bacteria or contaminants entering the ear. We provide many different forms of hearing device cleaning products from sprays to wipes that are safe to use on hearing aids.

Wax Softeners

Softening agents will help soften up impacted ear wax prior to removal. Most softeners are equipped with an ear dropper for ease of insertion.

Miracell

An oil-based ear drop that is designed to help soothe irritated or itchy ears and is great at softening wax and keeping the ear canal healthy.

Pocket Talker

A basic amplifying device that includes a headset with a volume control that is worn by the individual with hearing loss which is connected to a microphone that the speaker talks into.

Insertion Lubricant

A type of water-based lubrication that can be used to make the insertion of earmolds or hearing devices easier.

Hearing Aid Fastener Clips (Oto Clips)

These clips are attached to the hearing aid by a cord that will fasten to clothing and eyeglasses or can even be corded from one hearing aid to another to prevent loss.

Earmold Blower

A tool to help clean out ear mold tubing should it become plugged with moisture or debris, and to help air out the tubing after being cleaned.

Wax Guards

A wax guard is a small filter that protects the speaker or receiver of the hearing aid from moisture and wax. We have access to most manufacturers’ versions of wax guards and usually have wax guards from most companies in stock.

Cleaning Tools

Vent cleaners, microphone covers or filters that can assist in keeping your devices free of debris. We usually have these in stock.

What to Expect During a Hearing Test

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:45:51 GMT

At the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta, we pride ourselves on providing extensive and comprehensive audiological evaluations . We believe in going beyond the basic tests to better help our clients.

Our hearing evaluations include standard testing to determine configuration, severity and type of hearing loss. But we also see the need to determine how you are functioning with your current hearing to determine appropriate individualized communication plans.

Hearing is a two-part process:

The physical action of hearing, which we measure to determine the audibility of sound (the configuration, severity and type of hearing loss).
How the sound information is processed once it exits the cochlea, which affects how easily or with how much difficulty the person communicates.

Considering how you may be functioning with your hearing is a crucial factor in counselling and formulating an individualized communication plan.

These are the types of tests your clinician will perform during a hearing test at the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta.

Otoscopy

The clinician will perform an examination with light with magnification to see if there are any obstructions or abnormalities in the outer ear.

Air Conduction

Sound is transmitted through ear inserts (or through headphones and speakers) to test the process of hearing from the time the sound enters the outer ear and travels through the middle ear and reaches the inner ear. This test determines the severity of hearing loss.

Bone Conduction

A little black box (called a bone oscillator) is placed behind the ear lobe and rests on the mastoid bone. The sound then directly stimulates the inner ear. These results are used in comparison with air conduction results to determine the types of hearing loss present.

Tympanometry

This is a measurement of the function of the middle ear. Tympanometry measures how much the eardrum is moving and the pressure in the middle ear. This test is mostly used to verify or dismiss middle ear disorders.

Acoustic Reflexes (as necessary)

Completed along with tympanometry, this measures a muscle reflex that happens in our ear when loud sounds are present. This test will capture if the reflex is present or not, which lets us know if one of the little ear bones is functioning up to par and if neural impulses are moving along our auditory and facial nerves within normal limits.

Acoustic Reflex Decay (as necessary)

This test is used more sparingly and tests acoustic reflexes to see how long the contraction is sustained. It is only completed in very limited cases to help determine possible issues beyond the inner ear.

Speech Reception Thresholds

You will hear two-syllable words (such as “airplane”) at volumes that become softer and softer to determine the faintest level you can hear these words.

Word Recognition

A recorded speaker asks for the repetition of certain one syllable words. For example: “Say the word good.” You are asked to repeat back the word. This test is completed at certain levels to determine clarity or your word recognition ability; sometimes this test is done with noise presented in the opposite ear.

Quick Speech-In-Noise Test

This is a speech test that uses sentences. A series of sentences are presented and with each sentence the background noise gets louder and louder. You are asked to repeat back the sentence the best you can to determine how well you can hear when there is competing background noise.

Dichotic Digits

You will hear two different numbers in each ear at the same time and will be asked to repeat back all four numbers. This is a test of auditory processing and binaural integration to give a sense of how well you can hear in competing environments with multiple sounds coming into each ear separately.

Loudness Discomfort Levels

Measures the levels at which sounds become uncomfortably loud. This information is used when programming hearing aids to make sure they never get too loud and to validate certain auditory dysfunctions such as hyperacusis.

Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE’s) (as necessary)

A quiet sound is presented to the ear and an echo-like response is recorded from your inner ear. This determines if the outer hairs cells in the cochlea are healthy.

High Frequency Audiometry (upon request)

Measures hearing sensitivity beyond 8,000 Hz up to 18,000 Hz, which is usually the highest frequency tested in standard audiometry. This is useful for monitoring ear damage from certain drugs or chemicals (ototoxicity).

Understanding Tinnitus

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:45:50 GMT

Tinnitus is a common condition that is reported to affect between 12% to 30% of the global population.

Many individuals that experience tinnitus are not bothered by tinnitus sounds and do not require additional intervention. For others, it can have a negative impact on quality of life.

If you feel like you are being affected by your tinnitus, the following information may help to guide you in deciding what to do next.

It is important to know that if you just recently acquired tinnitus, there is a chance that your tinnitus may resolve by itself or reduce in intensity or frequency.
While tinnitus is commonly associated with hearing loss, it is not typically associated with other underlying physical problems.
A hearing assessment is often recommended to test for hearing loss or check for any potential problems with auditory function.
Tinnitus symptoms are often exacerbated by stress or loud noises. Some individuals can link the onset of their tinnitus to a specific episode of loud noise exposure or stressful period in their life. Effective management of stressors can help to reduce the prominence of tinnitus.
If you feel like your tinnitus symptoms are affecting your quality of life and ability to perform daily functions (for example, maintaining regular sleeping patterns), then you may benefit from professional help.

If you feel that you require professional help to manage your tinnitus, there are several strategies that the audiologists at the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta can offer to help with tinnitus management. We prefer to assess individuals on a case-by-case basis and recommend that you start by scheduling a diagnostic hearing assessment with one of our qualified clinicians .

After the assessment, your clinician can review and make an appropriate recommendation. Possible management strategies may include the use of self-help materials, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy, Audiologist-Delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Tinnitus Management, Sound Therapy, hearing loss rehabilitation or referral to other medical professionals.

To book an appointment, please call the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta at 780-900-5127.

In some exceedingly rare cases, medical follow-up may be required if your tinnitus coincides with any of the follow symptoms:

Injury or trauma to your body and/or head
Weakness or paralysis of any muscles in the face
Sudden unexplained hearing loss in one or both ears
Vertigo (the feeling that the room is moving or spinning)
Ear pain or drainage from your ears

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please see your physician.

How Hearing Aids Help with Tinnitus

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:45:48 GMT

Often when a hearing loss is diagnosed, the damage to the ear is the usually the trigger that has caused the onset of tinnitus. Many people find success in adopting the idea of masking the tinnitus with “sounds.” This includes using hearing aids to amplify normal sounds.

The idea is to cover-up (or mask) the tinnitus . When there is damage to the auditory system, hearing aids amplify the sounds outside of the ear and then help cover up the sound of the tinnitus.

It is important to note that it does not cure tinnitus. It will still be present while wearing hearing aids, but the tinnitus may be reduced or masked completely.

If regular amplification from hearing aids does not reduce the tinnitus to the desired level, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) is another option. This is a method where a person will still be amplified with hearing aids or sound generators (if a person experiences tinnitus but has normal hearing). The objective of TRT is to help the person habituate tinnitus through counselling, sound and time.

Counselling

Counselling will teach you how to cope and live with the tinnitus in a more positive manner by educating you on the auditory system and the role the brain has in tinnitus perception.

Sounds

Using hearing aids or ear level sound generators, your auditory system will be stimulated with sound. When the auditory system is stimulated with environmental sounds, it reduces the ability of the auditory system to be as focused on the actual tinnitus.

Time

TRT takes time to adjust. Each person that suffers from tinnitus will take different amounts of time to adapt to this changed perception of their tinnitus. But the end goal is to perceive their tinnitus in a more positive manner and better cope with the tinnitus. This acclimatization process will not happen overnight and will take some time to adjust.

FAQ about Hearing Aid Dehumidifiers

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:45:46 GMT

What is a Stay-Dri hearing aid dehumidifier?

A hearing aid dehumidifier is a sealable jar containing a disc of desiccant crystals. The desiccant crystals will remove any accumulated moisture from your hearing aid and battery.

Why should I use a dehumidifier?

Moisture is one of the most common causes of hearing aid failure. Nightly use of a hearing aid dehumidifier will ensure better performance from your hearing aid and battery, and it will reduce the likelihood of your hearing aid needing repair.

How much does a dehumidifier cost?

Your first Stay-Dri hearing aid dehumidifier will cost $10. If you need to replace the disc in the future, the cost is $7.

How often should I use my dehumidifier?

The best results will be obtained if you use your dehumidifier every night.

Do I need to remove the battery before putting my hearing aid in my dehumidifier?

Batteries work best at an ideal humidity level. Putting the battery in the dehumidifier will remove accumulated moisture from the battery as well as the hearing aid.

How should I store my hearing aid in my dehumidifier?

Open the battery door and set the hearing aid on the disc. Ensure the jar is tightly sealed. The plastic wrapping should no longer be on the disc.

The desiccant beads in my dehumidifier are changing colour. What does this mean?

When the desiccant beads are a bright yellow-orange colour, it means that the beads are still able to absorb moisture from the hearing aid and battery. Over time, as the beads absorb moisture, they change to a dark green or black colour and this means that the beads are saturated and may no longer be able to absorb moisture from the hearing aid and battery. By recharging the dehumidifier, the beads will return to a yellow-orange colour and be able to absorb moisture again.

How do I recharge my dehumidifier?

The disc should be removed from the jar and placed in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds on high power. If you have a powerful microwave, start with a 30-second duration. Steam will escape from the disc after heating. Allow the disc to cool completely (usually within 15 minutes). If all the crystals have not turned yellow-orange, put the disc in for another 30 seconds. Repeat one more time if the beads are still not yellow-orange. If the beads do not eventually change back to a yellow-orange colour, the disc may need to be replaced.

How often do I need to recharge my dehumidifier?

It will depend on the amount of moisture in your hearing aid and on your battery. Some people need to recharge their dehumidifiers weekly, and others need to recharge their dehumidifier every few months.

How long will my dehumidifier last?

A disc will typically last one to two years or longer, depending on how often it needs to be recharged.

Please call us at (780) 900-5011 if you have any questions or concerns.

FAQ about Wax Guards

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:45:45 GMT

What is a wax guard?

A wax guard is a small plastic screen that sits in the sound outlet of a hearing aid. The sound outlet is situated in the part of the hearing aid that fits in the ear canal. The purpose of the wax guard is to prevent wax, moisture, or other debris from entering the sound outlet and damaging the speaker.

How often should you change your wax guard?

You should change your wax guard once a month or anytime your hearing aid does not sound loud enough or is not working. Even if you have just replaced the wax guard, it may fill up and prevent the sound from leaving the hearing aid.

Some people naturally have more wax in their ears, so they may need to change their wax guards more often. If you feel you are changing your wax guards more often than you should have to, or there has been an increase in the number of times you have had to change your wax guards, please consult with your audiologist regarding whether wax removal is an appropriate option for you.

How do you replace a wax guard?

The most common type of wax guard comes as a package with tools inside the package. Remove the tool from the package. The tool has two ends: one with a new wax guard and one with a removal hook.
Insert the removal hook into the current wax guard.
Pull the used wax guard out slowly, keeping the tool straight.
Flip the tool 180 degrees so the old wax guard is pointing upwards and the new wax guard is pointing downwards.
Push the new wax guard into the sound outlet and gently pull the tool straight out.
Discard the used tool. Do not reuse, as the tools are meant to be used only once.

Attempting to clean the wax guards often leads to damaging the hearing aids.

Where can I get more wax guards?

If you have purchased your hearing aids through our clinic, the wax guards are free of charge. Please come by the office between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm to pick up additional packages when you are running low. If you live out of town, we are able to mail wax guards. However, there will be a charge for shipping.

Are there different types of wax guards?

Each manufacturer produces different wax guards. Furthermore, some manufacturers have several different types of wax guards. When you come by our clinic to pick up additional packages, please bring with you a used package to ensure that you are receiving the correct wax guards. We are also able to determine which wax guards you require by looking through your file. However, this may take additional time. Occasionally, a manufacturer will change the packaging of their wax guards. If this happens, you may receive something that looks a little different, but works in the same way.

Please call us at (780) 900-5127 if you have any questions or concerns.

Learn More About Hearing Aids

Explore the technology to live a better life with hearing challenges and tinnitus.

FAQ about Hearing Aid Batteries

Fri, 28 May 2021 22:45:43 GMT

What are the different kinds of batteries?

There are four hearing aid battery sizes that have the same colour packaging associated with them, regardless of the manufacturer. Sizes from smallest to largest are: 10 (yellow), 312 (brown), 13 (orange) and 675 (blue).

What is average battery life?

Normal battery life is between 5 to 7 days, but they may vary between 2 to 10 days. Using wireless accessories and specialized programs will reduce battery life by approximately half.

How do hearing aid batteries work?

Hearing aid batteries contain zinc and start working when they are exposed to air. This occurs when you peel off the sticky tab on the top. Once the tab has been removed there is no way to turn the battery off. Hearing aid batteries are designed to maintain a high, constant level of power and die quickly when near the end of their lifespan.

How can I tell when a battery is dead?

Hear a low battery warning (beep or voice). This can be heard minutes or hours before the battery dies. If the battery dies overnight, this warning may not be heard.
No feedback (whistling sound).
No start-up melody when the hearing aid is turned on.
No sound when the microphone is rubbed.

What shortens the lifespan of a battery?

Small battery size
Greater hearing loss
Noisy or demanding listening situations
Specialized listening programs
Wireless accessory use (Bluetooth, TV listening devices, etc.)
Poor quality batteries
High daily hours of use
If batteries touch each other
Leaving a hearing aid on when not in use
Moisture in the battery

Should I keep my battery door open at night?

Yes, as this helps to lengthen battery life and prevents feedback from occurring.

How should I store hearing aid batteries?

Batteries should be kept in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Keeping batteries in their packaging until needed will help preserve their lifespan. Batteries should not be stored in the freezer. When travelling, people often keep a package of batteries in their bag or purse. The Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta also has keychain battery cases available that store two batteries.

How should I dispose of batteries?

Dead batteries must be disposed of at eco recycling stations. They can also be dropped off at our clinic for disposal at no charge to you.

How many batteries should I buy at once?

Hearing aid batteries can be purchased as needed or in larger quantities. Having a one-year supply of batteries on hand can be convenient to help ensure you have them when needed.

How can I keep track of how long my batteries last?

You can easily track your battery life by taking the tab from the battery and placing it on your calendar indicating the first day that you used your battery.

Why should I get batteries from the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta?

Batteries purchased from the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta are batteries that have been recently manufactured in North America. They are high-quality batteries that will help ensure optimal battery life. Periodically, if batteries are purchased that do not work, they will be exchanged for new batteries at no charge.

Please call us at (780) 900-5127 if you have any questions or concerns. Hearing aid batteries can be mailed out upon request and are subject to a shipping charge.

Learn More About Hearing Aids

Explore the technology to live a better life with hearing challenges and tinnitus.