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The steps to better hearing

What to expect from your hearing care journey at Professional Audiology 

We often describe hearing care as a journey. The first appointment is the starting point, where we understand where you’re at and the paths that are available to improve your hearing. For many people, the destination of their hearing journey is to improve their relationships, well-being and overall life.



The steps to better hearing are different for everyone. It is a unique journey that depends on where you are, what you want to achieve and the options available to you to get to that destination.



At Professional Audiology, we create a unique hearing treatment plan for all of our patients. It includes ongoing care to ensure they are on the right path and to confirm the treatment plan is producing the results that were expected.



Here are the typical steps that many patients at Professional Audiology take for better hearing health. It is likely your own personal journey may be different, but they show what you can likely expect from your first visit at our hearing clinic to years down the road.



The first step is to understand your hearing and the paths that you can take, so book an appointment at Professional Audiology to talk to a hearing care professional on the best steps for you and your hearing.



Your first appointment

Every journey has a starting point. At Professional Audiology, your first appointment will include a thorough hearing test and a consultation with an audiologist.



The goal is for us to understand the details of your hearing and your lifestyle, so any recommendations will be the best options for the outcomes you want to achieve – no matter the state of your hearing.



Regular hearing tests

We recommend having your hearing tested every one to two years. A regular hearing test will help you monitor your hearing and contribute to earlier identification of potential issues.



Deciding on your hearing journey

Even though there are some trends, everyone has a different hearing care journey. It depends on where you are (your current health, lifestyle and hearing challenges) and also depends on where you want to be.



Following a hearing test, an audiologist will explain the results and outline the options that have the best potential to help you achieve your hearing goals. We always discuss the benefits, challenges and costs that are associated with every selection.



Make a confident choice

We want you to have all the information you need to be confident in your decision. Whatever path you decide to take, we will optimize the journey and do what we can to help you accomplish the expected outcomes.



If you choose to get hearing aids

One option to improve your hearing health might be technology, including hearing aids. If we recommend hearing aids, we will discuss the best style, level of technology, price and colour for you. Our recommendations will be based on the degree of hearing loss, the hearing challenges you face and your lifestyle



After the hearing aids are selected, they can take up to four weeks to arrive at our clinic from the manufacturer.



Hearing aid fitting

It can take an hour or longer to complete the initial hearing aid fitting. This appointment includes a series of measurements and adjustments, and we will spend time to confirm that your hearing aids are perfectly matched to your hearing loss prescription. To make sure your devices are operating as expected, we also assess the performance of your hearing aids when they are in your ears.



This first appointment is also a chance to go through how to operate and maintain hearing aids. And we will discuss any questions you have and prepare you for any potential changes in your daily routines.



After one month

The first month with new devices can be a shift. We are available for any follow-up appointments to discuss your experiences with hearing aids, and we always recommend returning to Professional Audiology for a follow-up appointment within the first month of wearing new devices.



At the follow-up appointment, we will discuss any challenges, changes or benefits you are experiencing. Then we will adjust your hearing aids based on the feedback and provide suggestions to improve your experience.



Hearing aid trial

We offer a trial of hearing aids for one month. At the one-month follow-up appointment, you can decide if you would like to continue with the hearing aids, exchange for a different type or return them for a full refund.



Follow-up appointments

At your follow-up appointment, we will go through your experience with the devices and then verify your hearing aids are working properly. Our state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment will evaluate how your hearing aids perform in real-life environments – in your ears.



Through our discussions and tests, we can determine that your devices are performing the way we expect them to.

 

Ongoing maintenance and adjustments

The first stage of new hearing devices focuses on confirming they are matched to your hearing loss prescription and they are functioning as expected. After that, we provide ongoing maintenance and adjustments to ensure they continue to provide the benefits you have come to rely on. 

 

What success looks like

Everyone has a different definition of “success” with hearing aids. Before you decide on new devices, we’ll clarify what your goals are and recommend the best options to achieve those goals. For many people, success is a positive difference in their relationships and daily life.

 

It is natural for this goal to shift. At every follow-up appointment, we will discuss what your destination is and what we can do to get you on the right path through technology, treatment and rehabilitation.



For children and families

At Professional Audiology, we provide hearing care for adults, children and their families. The journey for many children with hearing challenges is similar to that of adults, but there are a few important differences:



-         Children grow fast. We may need to make more adjustments to ensure their hearing devices are perfectly matched to their ears.

-         New earmolds are necessary every 3 months for children under 4 and every 6 months above age 4.

-         The hearing journey for children can be longer and potentially more complex, so we will regularly revisit their hearing goals and the best steps to get there.



Download our hearing journey guides

Every hearing journey is different, but we have compiled some typical journeys for children and adults. 

Download the guide

How often should I get my hearing tested?

18 Apr, 2023
It’s routine for people to schedule medical checkups, like an annual physical, vision test or dental exam. But regular hearing tests are much less commonplace. Despite the integral role hearing plays in our daily lives, we just don’t tend to pay it as much mind. Your hearing is far from static, which is why we urge everyone—both young and old, known hearing loss or not—to get a hearing test and ensure you’re properly caring for all your senses. What happens during a hearing test? Hearing evaluations may be in-depth, but they are nothing to be nervous about. We won’t be poking and prodding you. Professional Audiology goes beyond the basic tests to better ensure our clients receive the thorough care they deserve. Here’s an in-depth overview of what happens during a hearing test. Hearing Screening A quick pass/fail test of your ability to hear different tones in each ear. It will indicate if you have hearing loss but will not go into any detail about the type or levels of degradation. If you fail a hearing screening, you should definitely get a full hearing test. Hearing Test Sometimes referred to as a hearing evaluation, these tests go in-depth into analyzing and diagnosing your hearing ability, your understanding of speech and assessing your outer, middle and inner ears. Components of a full hearing evaluation Your hearing is a two-part process, involving the physical action of hearing as well as the processing of the sound information once received by your brain. It’s crucially important to test based on both these factors to ensure you receive the proper care. There are a number of different tests that will be performed during your hearing evaluation. These include: Air conduction Otoscopy Bone conduction Tympanometry Word recognition Loudness discomfort levels None of these tests are invasive, and when combined, they offer our clients the fullest possible picture of their current hearing, and help highlight the best path to better hearing health. When should I get my hearing tested? There are many good reasons to receive a hearing test, and far fewer reasons not to. If you or someone you know has hearing loss, regular hearing tests are crucial to tell whether your loss is changing or degrading. If you’ve been receiving treatment for hearing loss, hearing tests will be able to gauge if that treatment has been successful in providing help and hopefully stemming the tide of further damage. If you work in a loud environment or frequent loud spaces like concerts, then regular hearing tests can be very helpful in guarding against further damage. Occupational hearing loss is unfortunately very common. If you ever notice a pervasive ringing in your ears, it is definitely in your best interest to receive a hearing test. Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss, and while it can’t be treated the same way, a hearing test can certainly help you better understand your condition. If you’ve never received a hearing test before, it can be very helpful for future visits to have a baseline to compare to, so in the future it will be easier to determine if any loss has occurred. If for any reason, you or a loved one is questioning whether they may be suffering from hearing loss, then a comprehensive hearing evaluation can either quell those concerns or help lead you to the next step in determining how to tackle and prevent any further hearing loss. 

How hearing loops help when you’re out and about

18 Apr, 2023
There are plenty of situations in your day-to-day life that require a level of active listening. For anyone with hearing challenges, this can create a barrier that makes going about your regular business quite difficult. One solution for dealing with this is hearing loops, a very helpful technology that can make a huge difference for folks who are hard of hearing. What are hearing loops? A hearing loop is a unique sound system that is used to transmit sound directly to a user’s hearing aid or cochlear implant. Made up of a physical loop of cable that is placed around a designated area, a hearing loop transmits sound by generating a magnetic field in the area which delivers a signal to properly equipped hearing aids. When hooked up to a microphone, a hearing loop carries a speaker's voice wirelessly to listeners hearing aids and is best implemented in environments like church halls, theatre rooms and public spaces like banks, information centers and similar public-oriented service providers. How do hearing loops work with hearing aids? For a hearing aid to pick up the transmitted sound from a hearing loop, it has to be equipped with a called a telecoil. Also referred to as a T-coil, this technology is made up of a small coil of wire wrapped around a rod that acts as an antenna to pick up the sound being delivered by a hearing loop. All cochlear implants have telecoils equipped, and nearly 80% of hearing aids either have a telecoil included or are capable of using one. It’s important to ask that a telecoil be included with your new hearing aids, as it is such a helpful tool to be used when you’re out and about. How do I use a hearing loop? This is arguably the best part of hearing loop systems, as cochlear implants and T-coil-equipped hearing aids automatically pick up the signal, meaning you don’t have to do anything to enjoy the benefits of crystal-clear communication. Say you walk into a bank with a hearing loop system. Rather than having to struggle to hear what the teller is saying behind their glass partition, you’ll be able to hear their voice clearly and succinctly without so much as pushing a button. Even better is going to a packed local play and not having to strain to hear the actors, as their voices are being transmitted directly into your ears. Hearing loops provide a level of access that hearing aids alone can’t even offer. More and more locations around the world are adding hearing loops to their services, providing those who are hard of hearing the chance to go about their days with an increased level of normality. Where can I find hearing loops in Edmonton? There are multiple locations around Edmonton that provide the added hearing assistance of a hearing loop. The popular Citadel Theatre in downtown Edmonton has hearing loops installed in two of its performance areas, allowing everyone to enjoy their shows the way they were meant to be. Most of the HSBC banks in the city are equipped with hearing loops, and all of Edmonton’s public libraries offer hearing loops at their front counters. You can go to Hearing Loops Canada For a more detailed list of hearing loop locations as well as plenty of other useful hearing loop resources. If you’re interested in the benefits of hearing loops, your first step should be to book a hearing test . Professional Audiology can help you find the right devices that will not only take advantage of the benefits of hearing loops but also greatly help improve your ability to hear. Take that first step and see how hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.

Tips for hearing better when dining out

18 Apr, 2023
There’s no question that dining out can be a stressful experience for anyone suffering from hearing loss. With diners chatting away, cutlery clanging and music playing at an uncomfortably loud level, even folks with healthy hearing may have a hard time communicating with their table mates. These debilitating decibels can make it an easy choice to stay in and miss out on socializing, which can quickly take a toll on your overall mental well-being. Here are some straightforward tips and tricks that can help those who are hard of hearing have an enjoyable experience when heading out for a bite. Take the Time to Plan Ahead If you are the one planning the restaurant outing, then all the power is in your hands. Make sure to use it! When these tips are combined, they’re sure to increase the enjoyment level of your culinary excursion. Research quiet restaurants People love to make lists and categorize essentially everything online. If you live in an urban area, there’s a very good chance that someone has taken the time to discern which restaurants won’t blow out your eardrums. Choose your seating carefully If you’re planning early, you should be able to pick your seat. Sitting right in the middle of a crowded dining area, with noisy neighbours in all directions, is sure to cause you some distress. Specifically, ask for a high-backed booth or a corner seat where you’ll have a wall to your back. This is sure to cut out a lot of the clamour. Timing is everything As you are the master and commander of your outing, you have a lot more sway in picking the time for everyone to gather and chow down. While brunch is certainly trendy, it won’t be hearing-friendly. Neither will the middle of the dinner rush be. Pick a time after the lunch rush, before the dinner rush, or even have a slightly later dinner. That way, after you’ve devoured your food, the restaurant will be nice and quiet, allowing you and your guests plenty of time to comfortably sip your wine and chat the night away. When Not in Charge of Planning, Advocate for Yourself This can admittedly be quite a tricky one. Nobody wants to inconvenience their friends or loved ones with a perceived huge ask for accommodation. It’s uncomfortable, and odds are your brain will tell you you’re asking too much and being a real pain. We’re here to tell you, you’re not asking too much. Your hearing issue is a real physical and measurable issue. Your mates will more than likely be happy to help you have an enjoyable dining experience. If not, then we’re sorry your friends suck. Bottom line: as hard as it can be, advocating for yourself is more than acceptable. Take Advantage of Tech to Improve Your Dining Experience Thank goodness for the ever-evolving world of technology, as there are products, devices and apps out there that can help you get the most out of your social forays. One such option is the ability to live transcribe the conversations at your table using your smartphone. There are multiple free apps, including a Google Android app that allow you to actively read what is being said by those dining with you. While the technology isn’t perfect, and you may get some comedically hilarious translation hiccups, context will probably help you through those bugs. Hearing aids are life changers for those who are hard of hearing Of course, the tried-and-true method to help you hear your surroundings with clarity and accuracy is hearing aids. Gone are the bulky and awkward hearing aids that stick out like a sore thumb. In are the sleek and discreet hearing aids with advanced technology like directional microphones that will help you focus the conversation. Hearing aids really can make a hugely beneficial impact on your life. You don’t have to continue suffering on your own, struggling from one conversation to another. While not a 100% cure to all your hearing issues, they are by far the best and most effective option to get you back out socializing and enjoying your life the way you used to. You can start your road to hearing recovery by booking a hearing test with Professional Audiology. Our trained and knowledgeable audiologists will help you find the hearing aid solution that works best for your specific needs. Take that first step and see how hearing aids can help you take back control of your hearing health.
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