Hearing Care is Health Care
By Bernice McKenzie SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS

COVID-19 Update 18-MAR-2020

Our Amherstburg and Essex offices will be open Wednesday March 18, 2020, but the front doors will be locked.

We have cancelled all non-emergent appointments. All speech therapy, hearing tests, hearing aid cleanings, vestibular testing, and vestibular rehabilitation appointments have already been cancelled. We will call and reschedule our patients once the office is back up and running.

We are currently only seeing patients with emergencies. Emergencies include:

  • Lost hearing aids and can not hear
  • Hearing aids are broken

Please do not come in to check on us, or to say hello. 

Please call for an appointment as we are only allowing one patient into the clinic at a time.

If you are sick, or have recently returned from abroad please advise our staff.

If you need batteries or supplies please call, we will mail them out to you.

We are taking this day by day, and will update this website. Thank you for your understanding.

By Bernice McKenzie BLOG, SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS

COVID-19 Preventative Measures

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES BEING TAKEN AT OUR CLINICS
(1) No staff or provider has been outside of the country within the last two weeks.
(2) Staff and patients are asked to sanitize their hands prior to entering the clinic area.
(3) Patients are kindly asked to reschedule appointments if they have recently travelled, have been exposed to someone who has recently travelled, if they do not feel well, or have a common cold of flu symptoms.
(4) Furniture, surfaces and equipment are being sanitized regularly and after every use.
(5) Providing hand sanitizer in multiple locations throughout the clinic and ensuring staff are practicing proper hand hygiene and washing their hands regularly.
Our procedures for maintaining a clean environment meet or exceed those of The Ontario Ministry of Health.
We thank you for your patience as we work through the COVID-19 outbreak and we will keep you posted on any changes that may arise.
UPDATE Sunday 15-MAR-2020: We are suspending all speech and language pathology appointments effective immediately. We will tentatively resume this service 04-APR-2020.
By Bernice McKenzie BLOG, SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS

Group Workshops

We are excited to be offering group workshops at our Essex and Amherstburg locations! There is a lot of information given to you at your hearing aid fitting appointment, which can make it a little overwhelming at times. A group workshop is an hour long session where our hearing health professionals go over details about your hearing loss, your new hearing aids and aural rehabilitation or retraining your brain to understand speech.

So what does a group workshop look like? The groups are small – usually between 3 and 4 participants, which allows us to support each person and answer any questions throughout. The hour is broken up into three sections:

1. Hearing Loss

2. Hearing Aids

3. Aural Rehabilitation

Hearing Loss

We give participants detailed information regarding how our ears work, what the participants’ hearing test results indicate, fun facts about hearing and our ears and more information about hearing loss overall. This portion of the workshop gives participants answers to the questions that they may have been pondering regarding their own hearing loss.

Hearing Aids

When people come in to pick up their hearing aids, the amount of information presented in that appointment can feel quite overwhelming. Participating in the group workshop allows hearing aid users to gain more knowledge on the care, use, features and functions of their hearing aids. Having only 3-4 participants allows us to go over information regarding each person’s hearing aids, in order to help them better understand their use.

Aural Rehabilitation

Hearing aids are only one piece of the puzzle. In order to maximize the benefit of new hearing aids, we have to work on retraining our brains to hear in difficult listening situations. Typically, we lose our hearing slowly over time and while hearing aids give us back the sounds we are missing, we still have to do therapy to retrain our brains how to process and understand these new sounds. In our group workshop, we provide a demonstration of one of the computer-based training programs that we offer. The program is called LACE and it stands for Listening and communication enhancement. We’ll go over what the program entails and how the program can benefit everyone – regardless of what type of hearing loss they may have.

Group workshops allow our patients to learn more about their hearing loss, hearing aids and different communication strategies, as well as meet other people who also have new hearing aids.

By Bernice McKenzie BLOG, SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS , ,

Bernice McKenzie is an approved Dr.CliffAud provider

We’re please to announce that Bernice McKenzie is part of the DrCliffAud Approved Provider Network!!

If you’ve researched hearing aids during the last few year’s you’ve most likely seen videos posted by Dr. Cliff Olson on his youtube channel. If it is ear related, he probably has a video talking about it. You can check out his youtube channel by clicking here.

By Bernice McKenzie SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS

Kid Hearing Tests

We have been getting a lot of phone calls lately asking if we test children. YES we test children.Children are tested at our Essex location.

Our services are not funded under OHIP, so there is a $100.00 fee for the testing. The testing may be covered under your extended healthcare plan (GreenShield, SunLife, Manulife, Blue Cross, etc…). Since our testing is performed by an audiologist, it is a medical expense and can be claimed as such when you do our taxes. 

To schedule an appointment call (519) 961-9285.

By admin BLOG, SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2019 Hear For The Holidays!

 

Do you know someone who’s life would be improved by improved hearing? WE WANT TO KNOW!

The Hearing & Dizziness Clinic and Amherstburg Audiology & Hearing Aids are in search of members of our communities (Essex, Amherstburg and LaSalle) who’s hearing impairment is holding them back – so we can gift them US! One lucky winner from each clinic will receive a set of hearing aids and the gift of our services for 3 years.

Simply click the gift below and fill out our short online form.

All applicants must make themselves available for an audiometric evaluation. Entries will be received until November 29, 2019 at 11:59pm, so that we can have some time to have our winners hearing by the holiday! If you have questions, please feel free to contact us any time!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

By Bernice McKenzie SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS

AM800 Saturday August 17 at 10am

Do you or someone you know have issues with hearing or speaking. Tune into AM800 at 10am this Saturday August 17, to hear our staff talk about the services we provide at our clinics. We will discuss tinnitus testing, vertigo testing, hearing tests (for kids and adults) and speech therapy (for kids and adults).

Email info@youhear.ca or call (519) 96109285 for more information.

 

By Bernice McKenzie SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS

2018 Hear For The Holidays Winner!!

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

We are blessed that we can share the gift of hearing with members of the community. For the last three years we have given someone the chance to “hear for the holidays”, by purchasing hearing aids for them. This years winner is “Uncle Jim”. We hope he enjoys his new “ears”.

We would like to thank all of the patient’s who support us. Giving back to the communities, that have trusted us with their hearing healthcare needs.

Merry Chritsmas!!!

—- From the staff at Amherstburg Audiology and The Hearing & Dizziness Clinic

Bernice, Melissa, Emily, Marlene, Celina, Dragana, Cory, Sonia and Teresa

By Bernice McKenzie SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS

2018 Christmas Holiday Hours

 

The offices will be closed Friday December 21, 2018 and will return to regular business hours Wednesday January 2, 2019.

Someone will be available to help hearing aids patients at the Amherstburg and Essex location on Thursday December 27, 2018 between 9am and 12 noon.

 

Friday 21-DEC-2018   CLOSED

Monday 24-DEC-2018 – CLOSED

Tuesday 25-DEC-2018  CLOSED

Wednesday 26-DEC-2018  CLOSED

Thursday 27-DEC-2018 OPEN 9am-12noon in Amherstburg and Essex

Friday 28-DEC-2018 CLOSED

Monday 31-DEC-2018 CLOSED

Tuesday 1-JAN-2019 CLOSED

Wednesday 2-JAN-2019 OPEN

By Bernice McKenzie BLOG, SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS

Aural Rehabilitation Program

People are shocked when I tell them that their hearing aids are not going to solve all of their listening problems. Hearing aids give you back the sounds that you’ve been missing, but they do not train your brain to hear, especially in noisy situations. I recommend that my patient’s complete rehabilitation when they get hearing aids or a cochlear implant. When you break a leg, you often go to therapy with physiotherapy to regain function. Function will never be 100%, but if you want the best outcome therapy will increase your function. The same can be said for your hearing. You will never hear 100%, but the therapy will improve how you function in quiet and noisy situations.

We offer two different programs that can be completed in our office under the supervision of our audiologist or speech-language pathologist, or if you prefer, once we’ve set you up, you can complete the program from the comfort of your own home.

The basic program consists of 11 classes. The objective is to increase your hearing and speech understanding in difficult listening situations. The total cost of the program is $500.00 ($300.00 if you purchased your hearing aids from one of our clinics), but if you will be completing the program on your own at home the cost is $100.00.

Our advanced program consists of 24 sessions. The objective is to increase your hearing and speech understanding in difficult listening situations, but instead of using the pre-recorded voice for training, we can use the voice of a loved one, the person in your life that you have the most difficulty hearing. The total cost of the advance program is $1,070.00, but if you will be completing the program on your own at home the cost is $150.00.  If you want us to help you customize the program by adding the voice of a loved one, there is an extra cost. The cost for customized voice will vary based on the number of sessions it takes for us to complete the recordings.

These classes are perfect for:

  • individuals with normal hearing but suffer from auditory processing disorders,
  • individuals with normal hearing but have trouble hearing in noise,
  • first time hearing aid users,
  • long term hearing aid users who struggle in noise and
  • cochlear implant users

You can take these courses, even if you purchased your hearing aids elsewhere. We do not want to sell you hearing aids, we want to help you hear at your best.

If you have insurance that covers speech-language pathology or audiology, part or all of the above charges may be covered by your insurance plan. If you do not have insurance, you can claim the cost of the course as a medical expense when you do your taxes.

By Bernice McKenzie SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS

Hear For The Holidays 2018

Spread the word. Share the gift of hearing.

Every year, we select one or two deserving patients, and our Doctor of Audiology personally pays for their hearing aids.

If you know someone who is in need, please enter them into our competition. Visit this link for more information: https://youhear.ca/site/christmas2018/

 

 

 

 

 

UPDATE:

We have a winner!!!!

“Uncle Jim” was the winner of this years competition. We received many great entries, and wish we could have helped out more deserving individuals.  Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, and thank you for all the love and support that the community has given us.

By admin SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS ,

It’s pretty clear. No one cares quite like Dad cares.

We’re so excited to be able to share the gift of hearing with your Dad this year!

Enter to win a prize for Dad that goes beyond just a special day. One winner will be chosen from all eligible entrants to receive one set of (2) hearing aids along with batteries & our caring services for 3 years at no cost to him!

To enter, leave a photo with your fatherly figure – dad, grandad, or dad in law in the comments below the video on our Facebook page, and book a hearing test for both you and Dad together online. Its that simple –but you must do both! (You’ll thank us later for the souvenir photo!)

Hurry though, we need your Dad’s picture by Monday June 18 at 11:59pm to be eligible.

Eligible entrants will have a demonstrated hearing loss requiring amplification and be ADP eligible at the time of fitting. Entrants agree to use of their likeness for advertisement purposes and follow up questionnaires must be completed.

Book Now!
By Bernice McKenzie SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS , ,

iOS 11.4 and Made for iPhone Hearing Aids

14-JUN-2018

 

We received the email below from hearing aid manufacturer GN ReSound:

“Since the release of the iOS® 11.4, we have been diligently testing it with ReSound Made for Apple® hearing aids. At this time, we cannot confirm compatibility with ReSoundSmart Hearing aids and the iPhone SE® running iOS 11.4.

We recommend advising your patients to refrain from upgrading their iPhone SE to iOS 11.4. We will send out a notification if compatibility changes.”

Please do not update your iPhone operating system to iOS 11.4 if you are using a Made for iPhone hearing aid from Bernafon, GN Resound, Oticon, Starkey or Widex.

We will update this post once it is safe to update to iOS 11.4

 

UPDATE

20-JUN-2018

It is still NOT SAFE to update to iOS 11.4

We received the following email from GN ReSound today:

“MFi hearing instruments are unable to connect with iPhone SE after Apple’s release of iOS 11.4. We recommend iPhone SE users stay on iOS 11.3 if they have not updated already.

The issue will be fixed with an upcoming iOS release. We are awaiting Apple to confirm the release date and will send out a notification when more information is available.”

 

UPDATE

16-JUL-2018

It is now safe to update your iOS (iPhone Operating System).

We received the following email from GN ReSound today:

“Since the release of iOS® 11.4.1, we have been diligently testing its compatibility with ReSound Made for Apple® hearing aids. Our testing confirms this latest iOS update has resolved issues that were reported after the May 29th release of iOS 11.4, where iPhone SE users were unable to connect to their MFi hearing instruments to stream audio or utilize their ReSound app. “

By admin SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS

A day to celebrate Ontario’s fabulous Doctors!

May 1st and 2nd we are celebrating “Doctor’s Day” in Ontario!

In 2011, Doctors’ Day was recognized as the official day of appreciation for Ontario’s medical profession. The date of May 1st was chosen as Doctors’ Day to mark the birthday of Canada’s first female physician, Dr. Emily Stowe.

Doctors work hard every day to save lives and put patients first. Doctors are leaders in evolving the health care system to improve access to care and ensure that our system is effective, efficient and sustainable for the future. Doctors’ Day is a great opportunity for patients and colleagues to take a minute to celebrate!

On Sunday, May 1st and Monday, May 2nd, the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and health-care organizations across the province will be recognizing the extraordinary contributions made by Ontario doctors in the health care system.

All Ontarians can recognize doctors via social media by tweeting using the hashtags #DocsRock2016 or #PatientsFirst.

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By admin SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS , , , , ,

Thank you Essex for your Support!

It’s Food Bank day at The Hearing & Dizziness Clinic!

THANK YOU Essex County for your support of our non-perishable food donations to The Essex Area Food Bank.

We had set a goal of 500lbs to collect for those in our community who are in need of our help, doing hearing tests in exchange for non-perishable food items. We are happy to report that we have SMASHED that goal with at least twice what we had hoped! You brought everything from noodles to beans, rice to corn meal and cereal and baby food.

Please call if you are in need of your annual hearing screening. For a limited time, our Doctors of Audiology will provide complimentary adult hearing screenings for a canned food donation. Call today to arrange your appointment at (519) 961-9285

By admin SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS , , , , ,

Shop Small: Small Business Saturday!

This weekend is Small Business Saturday (November 28, 2015). We are very proud to be a small, locally owned independent business.

Small businesses (like ours!) depend heavily on their local communities for support. As local customers ourselves, this weekend, we’re going to “pay it forward” and support small business in the way it matters most to them — through our wallet.

Studies show that for every $100 you spend locally, $48 stays local to support the community through other businesses and employment opportunities. Whereas for every $100 spent at a chain or big box store, only $13 stays local. 

Choose to support our community this year by shopping local, at the holidays and all year through! You can find local businesses by clicking here.

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Don’t forget that we are right now offering complimentary hearing screenings in exchange for a canned food donation for The Essex Area Food Bank, call today (519) 961-9285 to schedule your hearing screening and take advantage of our BOGO Hearing aid sale! Buy one, get the second for 1/2 Off!

By admin SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS

Lest we forget

60% of Veterans return home with some degree of hearing loss or tinnitus due to chronic noise exposure.

On behalf of The Hearing & Dizziness Clinic, we would like to thank all of the veterans and serving members for their dedication, selflessness and sacrifices.

 

 

By admin SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS , , ,

October is Audiology Awareness Month! What is an Audiologist?

October is right at the doorstep: the trees are starting to change, the weather has taken a turn and of course: We’re about to kick off Audiology Awareness Month!

What is an Audiologist?

Well according to Google, we are health-care professionals who evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders in newborn, children, and adults. Audiology is a well-respected and highly recognized profession. However, we think we do much, much more!

We act as marriage counselors, miracle workers, a shoulder to cry on, community members, hearing aid mechanics, friends and trusted allies.

Why should you choose an Audiologist?

An Audiologist has extensive education, training and experience in your auditory system. We are not just here to sell and service hearing aids, our scope of practice is much larger. Audiologists are taught the foundations of how sound works, the underpinnings of hearing aid fitting algorithms, and the best ways to identify not only hearing loss, but also any underlying conditions that may need medical attention. Audiologists in Ontario are governed by CASLPO – College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario which sets the the gold standards of practice.

If you have questions about whether or not you should see an Audiologist, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time! We can be reached at (519) 961-9285, Monday through Friday.

By admin SPECIAL EVENTS & NEWS , ,

DEFEAT DIZZINESS – It’s Balance Awareness Week

At The Hearing & Dizziness Clinic, we’re kicking off Balance Awareness Week! A whole week dedicated to defeating dizziness.

Top Ten Facts about Vestibular Disorders

1. The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that process sensory information involved with balance.

2. Over 35% of US adults aged 40 years and older (69 million Americans) have had a vestibular dysfunction at some point in their lives.

3. Vestibular disorders can be caused by disease, injury, poisoning by drugs or chemicals, autoimmune causes, traumatic brain injury, or aging. Many vestibular disorders occur from unexplained causes.

4. Symptoms of vestibular disorders include dizziness, vertigo (a spinning sensation), imbalance, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), fatigue, jumping vision, nausea/vomiting, hearing loss, anxiety, and cognitive difficulties.

5. Vestibular disorders are difficult to diagnose. It is common for a patient to consult 4 or more physicians over a period several years before receiving an accurate diagnosis.

6. There is no “cure” for most vestibular disorders. They may be treated with medication, physical therapy, lifestyle changes (e.g. diet, exercise), surgery, or positional maneuvers. In most cases, patients must adapt to a host of life-altering limitations.

7. Vestibular disorders impact patients and their families physically, mentally, and emotionally. In addition to physical symptoms such as dizziness and vertigo, vestibular patients can experience poor concentration, memory, and mental fatigue. Many vestibular patients suffer from anxiety and depression due to fear of falling and the loss of their independence.

8. Common vestibular disorders include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Ménière’s disease, labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, and vestibular migraine.

9. In the US, medical care for patients with chronic balance disorders exceeds $1 billion per year.

10.The Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA) is the largest patient organization providing information, support, and advocacy for vestibular patients worldwide. (For more information click HERE)

If you or a loved one suffers from dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, instability or vestibular dysfunction, please feel free to contact our office to find out how we can help! (519) 961-9285