Have you been asking people to repeat themselves more than usual lately? Have the people you live with complained that the television is too loud? Has someone accused you of never listening to them?
Suppose you answered yes to one or more of these questions. In that case, you may be suffering from hearing loss, and you are not alone: 23% of Canadian adults have hearing loss, and another 14% are experiencing hearing loss and tinnitus together.
But I’m Too Young
While hearing loss is considered part of the aging process, it is also a common result of exposure to:
- loud noise
- trauma
- medication
- disease
- genetic predisposition
In fact, an infograph published by Statistics Canada indicates that hearing loss occurs
in every age group of adults:
- 9% of 20–39-year-olds
- 27% of 40–49-year-olds
- 51% of 50–59-year-olds
- 77% of 60–69-year-olds
- 94% of 70–79-year-olds
What Can I Do About My Hearing Loss?
Once you become aware that your hearing is not as clear as it once was, speak to your physician or seek out the help of a trained and certified audiologist. In Alberta, hearing tests can be completed at private clinics or through Alberta Health sites.
But I Don’t Want to Wear a Hearing Aid
Hearing aids are not the only solution for hearing loss. Some hearing losses are medically manageable, especially if they are related to wax buildup, or ear infections. Some hearing losses can even be fixed by surgery. A complete hearing test is required to determine what degree and type of hearing loss you have.
Even though a hearing aid may be the best option to help with many hearing losses, there are other devices that can be used to help you hear better in certain situations. These devices include:
- Amplified telephones – helping you hear on the phone.
- TV listeners – helping you better hear the television.
- Microphone systems (FM/DM) – helping you hear better in groups/noisy environments.
- Pocket Talkers – helping you hear better in a setting where low talking is required (ie., hospital).
Some of these devices can even be used in conjunction with current hearing aid technology. Often today’s hearing aids also have technology built into them, such as Bluetooth, which can help you hear better on your devices.
However, before you can decide what option is best for you, you need to visit an audiology clinic for a complete hearing assessment.
Okay. So How Do I Find an Audiology Clinic in Edmonton?
As mentioned above, you can ask your primary care provider for a referral to an audiologist. However, a referral is not required if you get your hearing assessed at a private audiology clinic.
You can also find a licensed audiology clinic yourself by asking your friends and family who they visited. You could also search the internet or Yellow Pages to find the names of audiologists and audiology clinics in your area.
Provincial associations, such as ACSLPA (Home – Alberta College of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (acslpa.ca)) and AAofA (Alberta Association of Audiologists – Home (aaofa.ca)) also provide lists of audiologists by location and specialty. Consider checking these websites to Find an Audiologist.
What to Look for in an Audiology Clinic
When looking for a licensed audiology clinic in Edmonton or elsewhere in Canada, consider the services they offer. In addition to a hearing test, the audiology clinic you choose should offer individualized counselling about your hearing loss, needs, and solution options, as well as ongoing care.
The audiologist’s personality can be as important as their knowledge. Compassion and understanding go a long way to help you feel comfortable navigating hearing loss. Ask your friends or read reviews to learn more about these traits in your potential audiologist. You can also call the clinic and explain to the receptionist the type of audiology practitioner you are looking for.
Consider Us
With over one hundred years of combined experience, the audiologists at Wild Rose Audiology Clinic have been helping people in Edmonton and the surrounding area manage their hearing loss since 1994. We provide individualized solutions and support through our services.
Contact us today for an appointment at our clinic in Edmonton or Barrhead.
