What is Hearing Loss Treatment?

Treatment consists of proper auditory stimulation to the brain with a three year treatment plan which consists of the use of prescription hearing technology devices (hearing aids). We understand that there are many choices when it comes to treating your hearing loss and it can be overwhelming. Making the decision to address hearing loss should be approached as a healthcare consideration rather than a transactional retail choice. The audiological treatment of hearing loss is not merely a product or device but rather a professional service and a complex medical process. We will recommend the appropriate hearing device for your specific hearing loss and needs Our Audiologist will perform a comprehensive case history and diagnostic hearing evaluation; in turn the appropriate devices will be prescribed. It’s important to recognize that not all hearing devices are suitable for every type of hearing loss. There isn’t a universal device that suits every individual. As an independently owned clinic, we prioritize your specific requirements over any affiliations with hearing aid manufacturers. This enables us to recommend and prescribe devices from a variety of manufacturers, ensuring that your treatment is tailored to your needs rather than being influenced by corporate interests.

Treatment Plan Cost

The cost of our treatment plans start at $4000 or $110 a month via financing through MediCard. CLICK HERE to get pre-approved for financing.

Your private work insurance plan may cover a portion or the full cost of our treatment plan.

Plans that may cover a portion of the cost of our treatment plan include OTIP.
Plans that may cover the full cost of our treatment plan include Chrysler GreenShield, GM GreenShield, Ford GreenShield, Ford Manulife, Diageo Manulife, Town of Amherstburg GreenShield, Town of LaSalle GreenShield, Town of Windsor GreenShield, ODSP and Veterans Affairs.

Treatment Service Plan

Hearing loss treatment is not merely a product or device but rather a professional service and a complex medical process. Our 3 year treatment service plan includes:

Comprehensive Office Visits: Annual thorough evaluations to assess and update your hearing health and provide updated recommendations.
Speech-In-Noise Testing: Yearly optimization of your hearing aids for understanding speech in noisy environments.
Tinnitus Assessments: Ongoing evaluation and address of any tinnitus-related concerns.
Cognitive Screening: Updated screening of cognitive function to better understand potential impacts on hearing health.
Prescription Modifications: Adjustment of your hearing technology settings to accommodate your changing hearing needs.
Programming Follow-Ups: Regular fine-tuning of hearing aids for best outcomes. We verify all our adjustments.
Custom Ear-Tips: Ensuring your hearing aids fit comfortably and securely.
Technology Supplies: Provision of all necessary supplies, including batteries, domes, and filters, to keep your devices functioning properly.
On-Site Moisture Removal Services: Experience our commercial-grade REDUX dryer to remove all moisture from your hearing technology.
Bluetooth Accessories: Enhancement of your hearing experience with accessories like remote microphones and TV connectivity.
Cellphone App and Bluetooth Support: Assistance in setting up and using smartphone apps and Bluetooth devices for seamless integration with your hearing devices.
Software Upgrades: Keeping your treatment technology up to date with the latest software enhancements.
Repairs: Taking care of any repairs needed due to normal wear and tear.
Loss and Damage Replacement: One-time replacement of devices that are damaged beyond repair or lost. A deductible does apply.
Aural Rehabilitation Program: A holistic process aimed at improving communication and quality of life for individuals with hearing loss through a combination of auditory training, counselling, and the use of hearing technology. Offered in a group setting or online with “The 5 Keys”.

We are committed to helping you hear your best. We understand how important it is to be able to hear. Our goal is to treat your hearing loss with the most appropriate prescriptive hearing technology for your listening needs.

Do I Need A Hearing Test?

It is often very difficult to tell if you need a hearing test because hearing loss usually occurs gradually, such that the person is not aware of it. Your hearing is how you connect with the important people in your life. Hearing loss can occur at any age, to any one person.

There is no way to predict hearing loss, but there are known risk factors which include:

Family history
Diabetes
Smoking
Obesity
Sleep apnea
Medication/chemotherapy
History of noise exposure
Dementia/Alzheimer’s disease.

If you have any of the above mentioned risk factors, or if you are aged 45+, an annual hearing test is recommended to monitor hearing stability .

Contact us today to schedule your hearing evaluation with our Audiologist No Doctor referral is needed to schedule a hearing test.

Who Performs The Hearing Tests?

Not all hearing tests are equal.

Our Diagnostic Hearing Tests are performed by an Audiologist – an Audiologist with 6 to 8 years of University education! Our Audiologists are registered members of the College of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO), and must comply with the regulations and professional guidelines of this governing body. The cost for testing is $125.00. Third party insurance plans such as OTIP, Johnsons, SunLife, ManuLife, GreatWestLife or GreenShield may reimburse you for the cost of the testing. Veterans Affairs Canada/Department of Veteran Affairs and RCMP, will cover the cost of the testing.

Our Basic Hearing Tests are performed by our Communicative Disorders Assistants or Hearing Instrument Dispensers/Specialists under the direct or indirect supervision of the audiologist. As the name implies, our Basic Hearing Test test is basic in nature and can not be used diagnostically (prior to surgery, to diagnose a disease or condition, etc).

OHIP does not cover the cost of a true Diagnostic Hearing Tests, in the same manner that they cover Diagnostic Vision Tests. For OHIP to pay for a Diagnostic Hearing Test, you will have to: (1) book an appointment with your family doctor, (2) your family will refer you to a surgeon in order for the testing to be covered when done in the surgeons office, (3) wait six to twelve months to get in the see the surgeon. Our Doctor of Audiology and Audiologist Bernice McKenzie asked OHIP about this waste of tax payer money and time and was informed that no one has ever complained to OHIP about this procedure.

Want to complain? If you would like to complain about OHIP not funding diagnostic hearing testing for adults and seniors done in the office of audiologists in the same manner that they cover vision testing in an optometry office.

Call OHIP at 1-866-532-3161
Mail OHIP a letter:
Service Ontario -INFOline
5775 Younge Street – 16th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2E5
Or fill out a form at their website: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/common/

Curious How Our Ears Hear?

What Will Happen During My Hearing Test Appointment?

Your hearing evaluation is a 1 hour appointment. No doctor referral is required.

The Hearing & Dizziness Clinic’s Test Battery Includes:

Detailed Case History and Hearing Questionnaire
Provides the Audiologist information regarding your hearing concerns.
Otoscopic Examination.
An otoscope allows the Audiologist to examine your ear canal and ear drum, inspecting for any wax build up and the health of the ear drum.
Tympanometry
Assists in the detection of a problem with the middle ear.
Acoustic reflex (Ipsilateral, Contralateral and Reflex Decay)
The loudness level at which the acoustic reflex occurs—or the absence of the acoustic reflex—gives information to the audiologist about your hearing.
Speech Testing in Quiet
a) Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) determines how soft you were able to repeat common words.
b) Word Recognition Discrimination. The audiologist will be measuring your clarity or ability to understand speech in quiet.
Speech Test in Background Noise
The QuickSIN is a speech-in-noise test that quickly and easily measures your ability to hear in noise. Speech understanding in noise cannot be reliably predicted from the pure tone audiogram or other standard audiometric tests.
Pure Tone Audiometry
Pure-tone Air and Bone Conduction Testing is used to determine the presence or absence of hearing loss. If hearing loss is present, the audiologist will be able to determine both type and degree of hearing loss.

The above test results are recorded on an audiogram. Once your test is complete, the Audiologist will review your audiogram in detail and answer any questions you may have. Based on your audiogram, completed questionnaire results, and your listening needs/requirements, the Doctor of Audiology will make their recommendations whether it be amplification (hearing aids), a referral to a medical doctor or monitor hearing in a year. These recommendations are unique to each person, their audiogram and their listening needs!

If you had a hearing test completed by a different hearing healthcare provider and you would like a second opinion, please do not hesitate to contact us for a consultation.

Hear Here for Little Ears!

Trust your child’s hearing to our Audiologists. Early detection and intervention are essential when your child is experiencing a hearing loss. Even a slight hearing loss can be a cause of poor performance in school. Please book an appointment for your child to see our audiologist if you suspect your child is experiencing hearing difficulties. No Doctor referral is required.

Hearing Loss and Your Child

Hearing loss is the reduced ability to detect and hear sound. There are different types of loss which can be permanent or temporary. It can occur in one or both ears and can be present at birth or occur later.

When should your child be seen for a hearing evaluation?

According to the Canadian Academy of Audiology:

If your child comes under one of these categories, they should have their hearing tested before three months of age:
– Maternal infections during pregnancy
– Family history of hearing loss
– Breathing difficulty at birth
– Visible malformations of the head, neck or ears
– Very low birth weight (less than 1500 grams)
– Meningitis
– Jaundice
– Medications which cause hearing loss
– Other medical conditions associated with hearing loss
– Stay in a special care nursery for longer than 3 days
– Prolonged mechanical ventilation lasting longer than 5 days

For older children, an appointment for a hearing test should be made as soon as one of the following conditions arises:
– Parental/caregiver/teacher concern regarding hearing, speech-language and/or developmental delay
– Following meningitis, scarlet fever, mumps or other illnesses associated with high fever
– Head injury with loss of consciousness or skull fracture
– Diagnosis of a medical condition associated with hearing loss or neurodegenerative disorder
– Exposure to medication toxic to the middle ear
– Repeated or constant ear infections
– Trauma to the ear

As soon as one of the conditions above arises, schedule an appointment for your child.

We are able to test children ages 4 and up with specialized equipment at our Windsor and Essex locations only.

The cost per appointment is $200.00.