Frequently asked questions
Hearing
I think I have hearing loss. Who must I speak to?
You may consult a hearing aid acoustician to ask all your questions. He or she will outline the steps to take in order to solve your hearing problems.
What are the first signs of hearing loss?
The first sign is always poor comprehension of speech, especially when many people speak at the same time. Then, there is the too-high TV volume and difficulty keeping up with a conversation in a noisy environment.
I can hear, but I don’t always understand?
Hearing loss often affects high-pitched sounds, which naturally entails having trouble understanding a conversation.
After first noticing hearing loss, when should I visit my doctor?
The first thing to do is to meet your family physician. Your doctor will suggest an appointment with an ORL or an audiologist to evaluate your hearing.
Hearing Aids
What are the best types of hearing aids?
There are two types of hearing aids: intra-auricular and behind-the-ear. There are many ranges of products: low, middle and high grade. During your appointment with your hearing aid acoustician, you’ll choose the hearing aid you need. Afterwards, living with the hearing aids allows you to find the device suited to your needs.
How much does a hearing aid cost?
There is a range of prices for hearing aids. The hearing aid acoustician will present all the possible ways of getting a hearing aid. You can get one through the Régie de l’assurance-maladie (RAMQ), through CSST, through Veteran Affairs, through your private insurance or through a private purchase.
I know people who don’t wear their hearing aids. I’m afraid they might not work.
This depends mostly on the perseverance of the hearing-impaired person, as well as his or her wish to hear again. It also depends on the quality of the hearing aid acoustician’s work. The aid can help to fight isolation, but listening with a hearing aid doesn’t feel natural. It can take a few months to get used to it. A person equipped with a hearing aid must persevere and be patient. You may meet your hearing aid acoustician as many times as it is necessary to perfect your adjustments.
Some hearing aids are miniature or “not visible”. Are they better?
No. Miniaturization of hearing aids isn’t linked to their performance. The opposite would in fact hold true. However, miniature hearing aids are the least noticeable.
Hearing Health Professionals
What does a hearing aid acoustician do?
The hearing health professional sells, preps, adjusts and replaces hearing aids to improve hearing in hearing-impaired persons with maximum efficiency and comfort. The hearing aid acoustician can also help you find assistive listening devices, industrial hearing protectors, swimming earplugs and musicians’ earplugs.
What does the ORL specialist do?
Otorhinolaryngology is a branch of medicine specialized in diagnosing and treating disorders related to the nose, to the throat, to the ear and to the head and neck area. Specialists are called otorhinolaryngologists (ORL).
What does the audiologist do?
This health professional prepares a treatment and retrains patients regarding communication problems linked to hearing. Additionally, he or she tests hearing with audiometric evaluations and recommends hearing aids and listening devices to patients who need them.
Support Programs
What government programs can help to finance my hearing aids?
There are several options, such as the Régie de l’assurance-maladie (RAMQ), CSST, Veteran Affairs, your private insurance or a private purchase.
Are my hearing aids tax deductible?
It is recommended to keep your receipts regarding expenses linked to your hearing loss, as the fraction not covered by your collective insurance is eligible to deduction for medical fees in your income tax return. You can request more information from the ministère du Revenu of Quebec and Canada.
