Book an appointment with our Audiology Department at one of three convenient locations:

1) Head Office: 2125 West 7th Avenue at Arbutus
Phone: 604-736-7391 or email info@widhh.com

2) Willow Office: #514 – 2525 Willow Street, at Broadway
Phone:778-329-0870 or email willowinfo@widhh.com

3) Tri-Cities office: #260 – 2755 Lougheed Highway,
Port Coquitlam
Phone: 604-942-7397 or email: tricitiesinfo@widhh.com

For those who use a TTY (telephone device for the deaf),please use the following numbers:
West 7th: 604-736-2527
Willow office: 778-329-0874
Tri-cities office: 604-942-7380 
 

• Schedule of appointments:

Your first appointment will be with a WIDHH Audiologist who is dually registered as both an Audiologist and Hearing Instrument Practitioner. He/she will meet with you to discuss your concerns, test your hearing and provide recommendations. The cost for a hearing test is $65. If you have a valid audiogram from an Audiologist or hearing aid dispenser within the last 6 months, a discount or fee waiver may apply.

If a hearing aid is recommended for you, your WIDHH Audiologist will discuss your options, including style and type of technology. The aids chosen for trial will depend on your hearing loss, your hearing needs, your listening environments, your vocational, social and/or educational needs, and your budget. Once you and your WIDHH Audiologist have discussed your next steps, you will be booked for a hearing aid evaluation appointment within 2 weeks. (Please note the $65 hearing test fee is put towards the cost of new hearing aids).

At WIDHH, all hearing aids are dispensed with a two month trial period, that is extendable if required. At the end of the trial period, you have the option to return or exchange the aids if you are not satisfied.

At the second appointment, the hearing aid evaluation, your WIDHH Audiologist will perform objective and subjective assessments through special tests called real ear verification to ensure the aid is fit appropriately for your hearing loss and within safe listening levels. Aids not fit through this method could lead to discomfort and poor sound quality. You will also be shown how to properly use and care for hearing aids. You will then be scheduled to return for a follow up appointment, usually within 2 weeks. 

Subsequent appointments
(Hearing Aid Follow-Up)

During the two month trial period, which begins on the day you are fit with the hearing aid, you will likely need to see your WIDHH Audiologist several times for adjustment and review. It is recommended that you not plan any significant out of town travel during this time so that you will be able attend your appointments.

After the two month trial period, if you or your WIDHH Audiologist feels the aid(s) is not providing satisfactory benefit, you may return the aid(s) for a refund less a $125 testing fee, or trial another aid or pair of aids. There is no fee to trial another set of hearing aids; however, if your final hearing aid purchase is of a different amount than your original purchase, then you will either pay or be refunded the difference in pricing.

Following a satisfactory trial, you may return to WIDHH at any time for further adjustment and follow-up as needed.
 

• Warranty Information

Hearing aids are dispensed with either a two or three year warranty, with a one to two year loss and damage warranty, depending on the brand and style. During the warranty period, there is no charge for standard repair and maintenance services. You may also access our drop in Hearing Aid Troubleshooting program, a free service for our WIDHH clients. (Note: Earmolds fit for Behind-the-ear aids only have a 3 month remake warranty).

Be aware that fitting hearing aids may take several weeks and may require several visits to the clinic before you are satisfied. Do not ‘give up' on hearing aids even if you are not satisfied with them immediately. Our WIDHH Audiologists will help guide you through this process as effectively as possible.
 

There are many hearing aid clinics out there, but we are truly unique:

• We’re non-profit. All proceeds from the sales of our products and services are put towards social service programs such as our Lend-an-Ear program which provides refurbished hearing aids to those who cannot afford new ones.
   

• We are dedicated to offering a wide range of quality services that are supported by a community-driven Board of Directors.

• Two-month (extendable) trial period: If you are not satisfied with your hearing aid purchase, you may return your hearing aids for a full refund less a $125 testing fee to pay for the hearing aid evaluation, or you may trial a new set of hearing aids for no charge. You need only pay the difference in price if the new hearing aids are more expensive than your original pair. You will also be reimbursed any differences in cost, if applicable. If you require more time than 2 months, we would be happy to extend the trial period for you.
   

• Educated Professionals: In addition to providing services to the client community, we believe in maintaining strong professional development within our clinicians and to future clinicians. We have an active relationship with the UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences to support, develop, and participate in clinical research and training of new Audiologists.

All of our hearing assessments, hearing aid evaluations and detailed follow-up appointments are conducted by our Audiologists who have received extensive training to provide professional, up-to-date, and quality services for you. We believe strongly in maintaining a superior professional development program so that our clinicians can stay abreast of current developments in hearing aid technology and Audiology. We don’t believe in gimmicks or sales pitches to attract people to our offices.
 

Many of our client referrals are from word of mouth, because our clients know there is an immediate difference when they are served by our clinicians. We have a commitment to outstanding client care and as a result, we need to charge for our professional services. Fees for our services are aligned very closely to provincial and national association guidelines.
 

In our experience, a person who is truly not ready to try a hearing aid will not be a successful candidate. We do our best to educate our clients about their hearing loss and if hearing aids are warranted, we provide as much information possible so that the client can make an informed decision as to whether to go ahead or not. The decision is still up to you, without any sales pressure or time limited special offers.
 

The first step is always the hardest, and most people who take the step to try a hearing aid will realize the significant benefits of wearing them after a two month trial. Our Aural Rehabilitation (speechreading) classes, included in the cost of new hearing aids, will teach you strategies to better cope with your hearing loss and adjust to your hearing aids.
 

Hearing loss is a chronic condition and if left untreated, can lead to withdrawal from social situations, depression, anxiety and other mental health and interpersonal issues that will affect your social, educational and vocational aspects of your life.
 

We believe the best approach in helping those with hearing loss is ongoing education, support and acceptance. Whether you are ready to have us help you today, tomorrow or ten years from now, we will be here. Since 1956, we have provided outstanding quality services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
 

The two main decisions that you will need to make in regards to your hearing aid(s) are style (size) and level of technology:
 

STYLE

The style of hearing aid refers to how it appears in your ear. There are several different styles of hearing aids:
 

1. Behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE) have two parts: The hearing aid fits over your ear, and is attached to a custom-made earmold, which directs the sound to your ear.
    
2. Open Fit BTE aids or Receiver in the Canal (RIC) aids: This small BTE style directs sound into the ear canal through a thin plastic tube and a tiny, plastic dome, ear piece. In the RIC versions, the receiver of the aid sits directly in plastic dome and the microphone remains in the small BTE housing over your ear.
    
3. Custom hearing aids refer to hearing aids that have only one part that fits in your ear. There are several different sizes of custom hearing aids:

• In-the-ear (full-shell ITE) hearing aids fill up the entire ‘bowl' of your ear.
• Half-shell (HS) hearing aids fill up approximately half of the ‘bowl' of your ear.
• In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids fill up the canal of your ear.
• Mini-canal (MC) hearing aids also fill up the canal of your ear, but are more recessed into your ear.
• Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids fit very deeply into your ear canal, and are the least visible of the hearing aids. A pull-string is added to the hearing aid to allow you to pull it out more easily.
   

The style of hearing aid that is recommended will depend on degree, configuration and the nature of your hearing loss, dexterity issues, size and shape of the ear and ear canal, cerumen/earwax issues, lifestyle and communication needs, and total costs.
 

You and your Audiologist will discuss these factors to determine the most appropriate and effective hearing aids for your hearing needs and lifestyle.
 

TECHNOLOGY

Advances in Technology

Technological advances have brought about enormous benefits in amplification. Hearing aids of today are smaller, provide more power in smaller housing and the features available allow for more precise in-office fine tuning and greater overall comfort and satisfaction.
 

Just as you can define a hearing aid model by its style you can also differentiate between different aids by the technology or circuits used to amplify and process the sound, and by the different features that are available.
 

The technology of a hearing aid refers to the type of processing it uses, and the number of features that it has.  

Digital hearing aids contain a computer chip in them, and like a computer, converts sound into a special code before amplifying it. This is called digital signal processing (DSP). 

Digital hearing aids take the analog signal (or sound wave) and convert it into ‘bits’ of data. These data ’bits’ are numbers that can be adjusted or manipulated by a tiny computer in the hearing aid. This makes it possible for the hearing aids to be adjusted more specifically to the end users needs in ways that cannot be done with analog hearing aids. These adjustments will be made by your Audiologist.

Digital technology ranges from basic fitting parameters to the most advanced technology currently available in hearing aids and in all sizes, from CIC through BTE in all levels of technology.
 

Before digital hearing aids entered the hearing aid market, all aids were analog, the oldest hearing aid technology available. Most manufacturers do not carry analog aids anymore. Analog aids pick up and amplify acoustic signals directly and “shape” the signal through acoustic filters. This technology has limited flexibility for shaping sound to your specific hearing loss and needs.
 

Digital technology: We like to classify digital technology into three levels: Basic, Mid-range and Advanced Digital Technology.
 

• Basic Digital — These aids have limited parameters that can be adjusted to suit your hearing needs. This type of technology is suitable for quiet environments and some noisier environments. Limited benefit in very noisy places such as busy restaurants, noisy traffic, riding in a car.
• Mid-Range Digital — These aids are more flexible. The sound is broken down into smaller units or channels to adjust the sound more specifically to your hearing needs. The aids are also equipped with more features to maintain comfort and clarity in noisier environments. Suitable for quiet listening environments, meetings and busier environments.
• Advanced Digital — These aids are the most flexible and equipped with the most advanced technology available to provide optimal hearing in noisier environments. Those with very active lifestyles and who are frequently in different environments, (i.e. multiple speakers or a lot of background noise) should seriously consider the more advanced DSP options available.
   

Generally speaking, the more technologically advanced the hearing aid is, the better it is at reducing background noise, the more ‘automatic' it is, and the more features that it has. If you lead a very active life, and you have difficulty hearing in background noise, more technologically advanced hearing aids may be more appropriate for you. If, on the other hand, you lead a fairly quiet life, and need hearing aids only to hear your spouse at home, a basic hearing aid may be sufficient. The more technologically advanced the hearing aid is, the more expensive it is.
 

Digital hearing aids will have special features, such as a low-battery indicator or beep, feedback reduction capabilities, directional microphones, and multiple programs for different listening environments.
 

If your hearing loss is very unusual, or you are very sensitive to loud sounds, a digital hearing aid can also offer improved comfort for loud sounds while maintaining audibility for soft sounds.
 

Most hearing aids, regardless of technology, perform well in quiet situations. The main advantage of mid-range and advanced hearing aid technology is better hearing in noisy situations.

The best hearing aids for you depend largely on

• Your expectations, i.e. Do you want hearing aids to reduce background noise?
• Your lifestyle, i.e. Are you active? Do you attend meetings, work, lectures or have frequent social gatherings?
• Your experience, i.e. Do you currently have hearing aids, and if so, are you happy with them?
• Your hearing loss, i.e. Do you have an unusual hearing loss configuration and/or are you very sensitive to loud sounds?
• Your budget, i.e. Can you afford advanced hearing aids if you needed them?
   

There is so much information available in advertisements and on the Internet, that it becomes very confusing to try to figure out what is most appropriate for you. Your WIDHH Audiologist will help you determine what will work best for your needs and cost range.

Directional Microphones

• Directional Microphones are a proven and effective way to improve speech intelligibility in noisy environments. Directional microphones reduce or limit the sound amplified from behind you while continuing to amplify sound in front of you. You will get the best effect from the directional microphone if you can sit or stand with the noise you do not want to hear behind you and what you want to hear in front of you.
• Although available in most styles, directional microphones are most effective in behind-the-ear and in-the-ear hearing aid styles.
• In more advanced hearing aids, the directional mode will automatically turn on when the noise around you reaches a certain level or when the noise takes on a particular pattern or frequency.
   

Noise Reduction

• In digital hearing aids, there is a monitoring system that allows the hearing aid to determine if the sounds around you are speech or noise. In there is noise, the hearing aid can reduce the noise to make it more comfortable to be in that environment. No hearing aids are currently able to eliminate all noise, but they are much better than older technology at making noisy environments more tolerable.
   

Feedback Reduction

• Many people are familiar with the whistling noise that hearing aids can make. This can be due to many things such as incorrect insertion, poor fit, too much cerumen/earwax in the ear canal. Current hearing aids contain better feedback reduction systems to prevent unexpected feedback from occurring.
   

Telephone Programs

• There are a few different types of telephone programs. With better feedback reduction systems, many people can hold a phone over the hearing aid microphone without causing whistling.
• However, for some people telecoil or t-coil programs are still necessary. The t-coil picks up the magnetic field emitted by most landline and portable telephones and converts it back into sound. There is no whistling and surrounding noise from the environment as the hearing aid microphone has been turned off.
• Some hearing aids can have a combination of hearing aid microphone and telecoil working so you can hear around you while you are on the telephone.
   

Direct Audio Input

• This is available in most behind-the-ear hearing aids. This allows you to plug an assistive listening device such as an FM system directly into the hearing aid to help you to hear better in noisy situations.
   

Wireless communication

• Some hearing aids have wireless communication between the hearing aids so when you adjust one hearing aid (such as the volume) it will adjust the other hearing aid as well. In addition, the wireless communication ensures the processing between the two aids are working together or "in sync" with one another which can lead to more effective speech and noise processing
   

Bluetooth Technology

• Some hearing aids have Bluetooth compatibility. A small adapter is required to ‘pair’ with other Bluetooth devices such as cellphones and portable music players. This would allow you to hear the cellphone or other Bluetooth compatible devices through both hearing aids rather than just one.
   

Remote Controls

• Some hearing aids can be adjusted by a remote control (much like your TV). The style of the remote control is specific to the manufacturer. There are handheld models, small keychain models, and wristwatch models. Some remotes can adjust the hearing aids together or separately; some control both aids only
   

Omnidirectional microphones are standard on all hearing aids. They pick-up sounds all around you equally, and provide ‘surround sound'.
 

Directional (dual) microphones are an option in most mid-range and advanced hearing aids. They consist of two microphones: A front and a rear microphone. The microphones work together to reduce sounds coming from behind you. This results in a reduction of background noise.
 

Directional microphones can significantly improve speech understanding in noise. While they reduce the effect of background noise to a greater extent, there is still no technology that can eliminate background noise completely.
 

Almost all digital hearing aids of today contain a directional microphone. Directional microphones can also be activated automatically and adaptively, so that it seeks out and reduces significant noise sources in your acoustic environment.
 

Myth: Behind-the-ear hearing aids are ‘old-fashioned'. The smaller the hearing aid, the more technologically advanced it must be.
Fact: The size of the hearing aid has nothing to do with how technologically advanced it is. In fact, if anything, the larger hearing aids have the capability to be more technologically advanced, because the hearing aid manufacturers have more room to fit components and features into the hearing aid.

Myth: Hearing aids are so advanced now that you can buy ‘invisible' hearing aids.
Fact: Cosmetic appearance and visibility can vary significantly and depend largely on ear canal size and degree of hearing loss. In general, men have larger ear canals and therefore have a higher chance of obtaining a less visible hearing aid. Even the smallest hearing aids however, can still usually be seen if someone is looking directly into your ear canal.

Myth: You can now get hearing aids that eliminate background noise.
Fact: There is currently no hearing aid on the market that can eliminate background noise completely. Some hearing aids are able to reduce background noise significantly, but none are able to eliminate it. Unfortunately, hearing aids are not ‘smart' enough to know what you consider to be background noise!

Myth: Brand X digital hearing aids are the ‘best'.
Fact: Every manufacturer will boast their aid is the best at reducing background noise and improving speech understanding in noise. Most manufacturers will carry a range of styles and technologies; some brands will work better for some people than others. Be careful of advertisements that claim their product is superior or exclusive to that brand. Chances are, the feature in Brand A is also in Brand B; it’s just called something else. Work with your WIDHH Audiologist to find the most suitable hearing aid for your specific hearing loss needs. And remember, what may work extremely well for your friend will not necessarily work the same way for you. Every hearing loss is individual.
 

In the past, some professionals recommended only one hearing aid, even in the case of bilateral hearing loss. With the backing of countless research studies, however, the recommendation now is that most people with hearing loss in both ears should wear two hearing aids unless there are medical or auditory processing contraindications.
 

The advantages that two hearing aids offer are:

• Better understanding of speech in quiet and noisy situations.
• Better ability to tell the direction of sounds.
• Better sound quality and ‘stereo' hearing.
• Smoother tone quality and less distortion because less volume is required when you wear two hearing aids. Less battery drain for the same reason.
• Wider hearing range. A person can hear sounds from a further distance with two hearing aids.
• Better sound identification. With just one hearing aid, many noises and words sound alike. With two hearing aids, as with two ears, sounds are more easily distinguishable.
• Having two hearing aids keeps both ears active. Research has shown that with only one hearing aid, the unaided ear tends to lose "practice" to hear and understand speech. This is called auditory deprivation.
• Hearing is less tiring and listening is more pleasant.
• Greater comfort with loud sounds.
• Reduced feedback and whistling because of lower volume control.
• Improvement in tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. Approximately 50% of people with ringing in their ears report improvement when wearing two hearing aids.
• No need to worry about having people sit on your ‘aided' side.
• Hearing aid satisfaction. Research with more than 4000 hearing-impaired people demonstrated that people wearing two hearing aids are more satisfied with their hearing aids than those wearing only one hearing aid.
   

Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. If one of your ears is ‘unaidable' (i.e. the hearing loss is either too severe or not severe enough, or your speech understanding ability is too poor in that ear to benefit from a hearing aid), then two hearing aids may not be recommended.
 

Another situation where only one hearing aid may be recommended is in the case of a person with severe dementia or confusion, or with very poor dexterity, who has no source of help and would be unable to handle two hearing aids.
 

Finally, if, for financial reasons, someone is unable to afford two hearing aids, then one hearing aid is recommended (With the realization that one hearing aid is better than none!).
 

Below are general fee guidelines only as prices will vary across hearing clinics. The consumer is encouraged to ask for the total price of the hearing aid and what that price includes (i.e. hearing test, follow-up servicing, warranty). Fees and technology change frequently.
 

HST is not charged on hearing aids, as they are considered a "medical device". For simplicity, the hearing aids have been narrowed down into three separate levels of technology, however in reality, hearing aid technology is on a continuum. The prices below apply to all styles (completely-in-the-canal; in-the-canal; in-the-ear, open fit, behind-the-ear). Prices are per ear:
 

• Basic Technology: $1100 to $2500
• Mid-Range Technology: $2000 to $3500
• Advanced Technology: $3000 to $4000

There is no universal government assistance for the purchase of hearing aids in British Columbia . If your situation is described in any of the following statements, you may be eligible for funding or financial assistance:
 

• You are on income assistance
• You are attending a full time training or school program that will lead to employment 
• You are looking for employment or retraining options
• You are at imminent risk for losing your job due to your hearing loss
• You are a worker with low skills who needs a device to succeed in your volunteer or employment goals
• Your hearing loss resulted from hazardous occupational noise exposure. If you have been exposed to hazardous occupational noise in B.C. for more than two years, you should consider applying to the Worker's Compensation Board. Other provinces may have different criteria.
• You are a veteran or RCMP officer
• You have First Nations Status
   

As well, some extended health insurance plans partially or fully cover the cost of hearing aids, as do some service clubs (for individuals in financial need). If you fall into any of these categories, you may be eligible for some financial assistance.
 

For more information, please ask your WIDHH Audiologist and he/she should be able to either apply for funding on your behalf, or inform you how to apply for funding.
 

If you do not fall into any of the above categories and cannot afford new aids, you may wish to obtain an aid through the WIDHH Lend An Ear Permanent Loaner Program.
 

This program is intended for adults who are not able to afford new hearing aids and yet need a hearing aid for basic communication purposes. The hearing aids are previously used or discontinued behind-the-ear style hearing aids that have been donated to the program.
 

The cost for a permanent loaner hearing aid is $140. This includes the cost of the hearing test, earmold, and hearing aid. This fee is non-refundable; however, should you decide not to keep the hearing aid, it should be returned to the Agency’s “Lend an Ear” Hearing Aid Loan Program. The hearing aid does not come with a warranty; however, if it malfunctions within one year of purchase, we will replace it free of charge.
 

We have a limited supply of loaner hearing aids. For this reason, we can only provide one hearing aid per client. A hearing aid will be provided only if there is an appropriate hearing aid in the loaner inventory. If there is not an appropriate hearing aid available, the client will be put on the waiting list until an appropriate aid becomes available.
 

The hearing aid is on a permanent loan and remains, the property of the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. If the hearing aid is no longer needed, it is expected that it will be returned to the clinic, so that another client can benefit from it.
 

The Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing depends on donations of hearing aids to maintain this program. Individuals wishing to support the “Lend an Ear” program by donations of used hearing aids are asked to drop them off at the clinic or contact: Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 604-736-7391 or email: info@widhh.com

If you are a full time post-secondary student enrolled in a university, college or accredited training program, you may be eligible to receive assistive listening devices such as an FM system, or student assistant services/devices such as a notetaker or computer through Assistive Technology BC (www.at-bc.ca).

Contact your Disability Resources Coordinator at your school for more information. There is limited funding options available for hearing aids but depending on your educational or training program, you may be eligible for funding assistance.

In addition, if you are working part time or seeking full time employment upon graduation, there may be other sources of funding available for you. For more information, please consult your WIDHH Audiologist.

All hearing aids should come with a repair and service warranty. Hearing aids should have a minimum of a one year repair warranty on them. Many hearing aids have two to three year repair warranties. After the repair warranty has expired, you may be responsible for the cost of hearing aid repairs.
Most hearing aids also come with a loss or damage warranty that is one or two years. There is usually a one-time replacement limit and a deductible applies.
 

Depending on how familiar you are with your hearing aid, you may be able to do some basic trouble-shooting to get your hearing aid working again.
 

• The first step is to ensure that you have the correct battery size, and that you have correctly inserted it into the hearing aid. Then, try a new battery in the hearing aid. Even if you have recently replaced the hearing aid battery, some batteries are defective and do not last very long. It is not necessary to try more than one fresh battery. If the hearing aid is still not working, go to the next step.
   
• Visually inspect the hearing aid. If you see wax on the hearing aid, clean it. You should have received a small brush and a wire loop with your hearing aid. Focus on the area at the tip of the hearing aid where the sound comes out. Brush the microphone gently to remove any debris or dust.
   
• If you have a wax prevention system on your hearing aid, and you have been shown how to replace it, try to put a fresh wax guard in the hearing aid.
   
• If the hearing aid is still not working, contact your hearing aid clinic.
If a hearing aid cannot be repaired in the clinic, it may need to be sent out for repair. Most hearing aid manufacturers in Canada are located in Ontario, and therefore it may anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks to get the hearing aid back from repair. If the aid is no longer under warranty, repair costs vary from approximately $250 to $400 depending on two factors: the age of the hearing aid, and the extent of damage to the hearing aid:
• The age of the hearing aid. If a hearing aid is less than five years old, it is normally repairable (and worth repairing). If a hearing aid is greater than five years old, it is normally recommended that a repair estimate be obtained. In some cases, the hearing aid is considered ‘obsolete' and the parts are no longer available. In other cases, the cost to repair the hearing aid approaches the cost to obtain a new hearing aid, and therefore it may not be worth repairing.
• The extent of damage to the hearing aid. In many cases, a hearing aid malfunctions simply because it is plugged with wax, or there is a loose connection in the internal components. If the problem is relatively simple, the repair cost will be lower. If however, the hearing aid has been damaged significantly (either physically or with excess moisture/corrosion), the repair may be more costly.
   
• If you are experiencing fit or feedback problems with your custom hearing aid, a ‘recase' may be necessary. Most custom aids come with a recase warranty of one to two years, therefore, if you are anticipating feedback or fit problems, it is a good idea to have the hearing aid recased within this warranty period.

The life expectancy of a hearing aid depends on the condition of your ear and the care you give your hearing aid. Hearing aids should last, on average four to five years, however some may only last a few years, while others several more years.
 

Behind-the-ear hearing aids and larger custom hearing aids typically last longer than smaller custom hearing aids. Your aid(s) will require ongoing service. Consumers typically replace hearing aids because of hearing changes, technologic advances, or repairs that are too frequent or too costly.
 

Hearing aids will break down during the course of its lifetime. The frequency of repairs will vary depending on how many hours you wear it a day, the type of environments you are in, ie. noisy, quiet, high humidity, dusty conditions, etc. On average, most people require a repair at least once a year or 2 years.
 

The amount of benefit a hearing aid will provide can vary significantly from person to person, and for different listening situations.
 

You can reasonably expect the following:

• In both quiet and noisy situations, you should hear better with hearing aids than without hearing aids.
• Your hearing aids should be comfortable in your ears.
• You should be able to hear speech comfortably. Loud sounds should sound loud, but not uncomfortable.
• The sound of your voice may at first be unusual, however, you should be able to tolerate the sound of your own voice.
• You should not have feedback (whistling) at the volume you need to use the hearing aid.
   

Things you can not reasonably expect:

• You will not hear as well in noise as you will in quiet. You may still have significant difficulty hearing in noisy situations. The degree of difficulty can depend on your degree of loss and word recognition abilities.
• Hearing aids will not make your hearing as good as you remember it to be. Hearing aids are not a cure for hearing loss; they are a treatment. Unlike prescription eyeglasses, hearing aids cannot restore your hearing to 100%. They really are just "aids".
• Be patient. It likely took many years for your hearing loss to happen. Your brain has adapted to not hearing well. It may take some time for you to adapt to hearing many sounds that you haven't heard for a long time. The more you wear your hearing aids, the better your brain will become at hearing the new sounds.
• Also, depending on the damage to the inner ear, you may never achieve fully satisfactory results, even if you were to buy the most expensive hearing aid in the world. No matter how well the hearing aid works, if the nerves in your ear are no longer able to hear sounds “clearly” (think of a cataract in the eye; no matter how strong you make your glasses, things will still be blurry), you will still continue to have trouble hearing in many situations.
• The use of speechreading and communication strategies will help significantly as well as Assistive Listening Devices.

Having realistic expectations from your hearing aids is very important. Support from family and friends, is equally important.
 

The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association is a non-profit organization that provides information and support to hard of hearing individuals. There are local branches in many B.C. cities and across Canada. Contact www.chha.ca for more information.
 

Speech-reading classes, known as the Better Communication with Hearing Loss classes are offered through the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. (Classes are free with new hearing aid purchases). These classes can greatly improve your chances of success with hearing aids, as you will be taught strategies to better communicate and hear in difficult listening environements. Spouses and/or significant others or family members are encouraged to attend with the hearing aid user. Specialized individual sessions are also available.
 

For more information on these classes, please contact Henry Lam, Registered Audiologist, hlam@widhh.com or by phone: 604-736-7391.
 

The Vancouver Community College also offers Speechreading classes. For more information, please contact: dhh@vcc.ca or by phone 604-871-7342.

In addition, ask your WIDHH Audiologist about Assistive Listening Devices that work with your hearing aid to improve speech understanding in challenging listening situations.