The Audiology Department at WIDHH is staffed by Audiologists who are certified nationally and provincially, and are qualified to dispense hearing aids in BC. An Audiologist is a professional who is university trained to the master's degree or beyond, specializing in the assessment and prevention of hearing disorders and in helping those who are deaf or hard of hearing. WIDHH has also developed a unique partnership with the UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences. WIDHH Audiologists participate in clinical research with UBC and in the training of new audiologists. The Audiology Department has won several consumer awards for their outstanding service to the deaf and hard of hearing community.

The Audiology Department has two convenient Vancouver locations:

• Head Office: 2125 West 7th Avenue, at Arbutus
• Willow Office: Suite 514 – 2525 Willow Street, at Broadway

The services offered by the Audiology Department are:

• Hearing tests
• Hearing aid sales and evaluations with latest digital technology
• “Lend An Ear” Loaner Hearing Aid Program for those who cannot afford new aids
• Better Communication Hearing Loss (speechreading) classes
• Musician’s plugs and services
• Drop-in services (West 7th office only) for minor hearing aid repairs and maintenance services (see below for more info)
• Services offered in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, French
• Authorized DVA, Worksafe BC, and First Nations service providers
• Employment and Social Assistance hearing aid funding applications

For more information on how to buy a hearing aid, click here: Need a Hearing Aid? FAQs.

The Audiology Department hours are:

Willow Office: 9-5pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends and holidays.

Head Office: 9-5pm Monday to Friday and 9-4pm Saturdays (we are closed at lunch-time on Saturdays). In addition, evening hours are also available by appointment only on Thursdays.

Please note that the Agency is closed on statutory holidays and long weekends.

Special Programs Offered by the Audiology Department

1) Drop-in Service Program – (Head Office only):

The Audiology Department at the Head Office location also offers a drop-in service for troubleshooting hearing aids. (Drop in service not available at Willow Office). In this program, Audiometric technicians are available to see clients on a first-come, first-served basis for technical problems during the following drop-in hours:

Monday – Wednesday – Friday

9:00AM to 4:00pm

Note: there are limited services available during the lunch hour (12:00-1pm).

Book an appointment to see a WIDHH Audiologist if:

• You think you need a new earmold or new shell for your hearing aid
  
• You require changes to the sound or volume of your hearing aid(s)
  
• You are unsure if the problem is with the hearing aid or if you may have had a change in your hearing or you need a hearing test.

2) Better Communication with Your Hearing Loss Classes

The Audiology Department also offers “Better Communication with your Hearing Loss” classes. These classes provide an opportunity for clients to network and learn about strategies to improve communication in everyday listening environments. New classes start each month, and run for 4 weeks, two hours per week. Classes are free with new hearing aid purchases; otherwise there is a $20 fee for WIDHH clients or CHHA members, and $80 for the general public.

3) Community Education

Our Audiologists and Audiometric Technicians regularly provide informational workshops to consumer groups, educational or workplace settings, and seniors centres. Topics include how we hear, what is hearing loss, new digital hearing aid technology, tinnitus, and effects of hearing impairment on educational, vocational and social interactions. In addition, we participate regularly in health fairs and offer free hearing screenings. If you are interested in having a presentation or a hearing screening day hosted by one of our qualified professionals, please contact our office.

If you need to book an appointment or require additional information….

Contact Jeannette Chitty, Administrative Assistant at (604) 736-7391, Toll-free 1-888-736-7391, or TTY (604) 736-2527, or jchitty@widhh.com . For clinical audiological questions, please contact Grace Shyng, Head of Audiology, gshyng@widhh.com

We Look Forward to Serving You!