FAQs

Hearing loss is invisible: if you don’t hear certain sounds, you may not realize that you’re not hearing them.  If you have hearing loss, you or people close to you may notice: 

• Needing repetition in conversations 

• Missing out on softer sounds from other directions 

• More difficulty following conversations in the presence of background noises 

• Difficulty hearing someone when not facing them, or when unable to see their face (e.g., when someone is wearing a mask). 

• Sometimes you may notice that you feel more frustrated in certain listening environments. 

• The television volume set louder than other people would choose 

A hearing assessment will help you understand whether your hearing is within the normal range or not.  Please refer to the Hearing Assessment section under Services for more information.

Loud sounds have the potential to damage our hearing over time or sometimes in a single exposure. Hearing damage depends on the intensity of the sound (decibels or dB) and the duration of exposure (time).  If you need to yell over a sound to have a conversation or your ears are ringing, then the sounds around you are likely too loud and there is potential for hearing damage.  It is best to limit exposure to loud sounds because a noise-induced hearing loss is permanent but preventable.  If you need to perform an activity where the sounds are uncomfortably loud, then hearing protection is your best defense.  There are many forms of hearing protection available for both noise and music; we are available to discuss options with you.

• The hearing assessment requires concentration so that you can detect very faint sounds in a soundproof booth.  Therefore, try to be well-rested on the day of your appointment.  Please also have your family doctor check your ears for earwax prior to your appointment.  If you are feeling unwell or fatigued, please rebook.

• During pandemic times, we are required to wear a face mask and that can be challenging for individuals who rely on lipreading and visual cues.  We have clear facemasks at the clinic that can help clients who rely on lipreading.  We can also use speech-to-text apps to facilitate communication at the appointment. 

No, you do not need a referral for a hearing assessment at Elevate Hearing.  You can call or email us to book an appointment directly. 

Please contact 604-707-7145 or info@elevatehearing.ca for your inquiry. 

In BC, MSP does not cover hearing assessments, but you may have coverage through your extended health benefits plan.   For more information on hearing assessments and what to expect, please visit the Hearing Assessment page under Services.

• “Free hearing tests” are usually quick screenings that don’t fully assess your hearing – we do not offer this type of testing.  At Elevate Hearing we charge a nominal fee for our full hearing assessments because they are comprehensive tests that assess the full range of your hearing sensitivity, loudness discomfort levels, and your ability to discriminate speech in quiet and noisy environments. These test results add value to your own understanding about your hearing competence and to our ability to recommend and optimize hearing aid fittings and hearing aid outcomes (People routinely comment they have never received such a comprehensive hearing test!) 

• We dedicate consultation time during the hearing assessment appointment so that you can ask questions and explore the pros and cons of your options and decide on a treatment plan.  Advertised “Free hearing tests” are quick screening tools and short appointments designed to get you in the door. At Elevate Hearing, there is no sales pressure to purchase anything until you are ready and motivated to move forward.  

• We believe transparency and client-centred services take time and expertise.  We do not hide our assessment fees in our hearing aid pricing.  

• Musician’s Earplugs are different from conventional noise protection earplugs.  They are considered high-fidelity ear protection.  With noise protection earplugs (e.g., for use in construction activities), the goal is to block out as much sound as possible through the ears, with no consideration for sound quality.  The result is that sounds are muffled, which is safe but sounds terrible for music. 

• Musician’s Earplugs are designed for people who need to protect their hearing but also want to enjoy the sound quality of music and speech. Rather than sounding muffled, these high-fidelity earplugs attenuate all frequencies equally, which is beneficial for concert goers and musicians alike.   There are non-custom and custom options. There are also different levels of protection for adequate protection depending on activity.  Please contact us at 604-707-7145 for more information.  

• At Elevate Hearing, we believe that a full, comprehensive noise conservation program involves more than just purchasing earplugs.  A full hearing assessment is recommended, along with monitoring of your hearing sensitivity and evaluating the effectiveness of the earplugs so that you know that your prevention plan is working.   

It is challenging to watch a loved one struggle with hearing loss.  Sometimes it is easier when we have a little help from our friends, so you could propose doing a baseline hearing assessment together!  We have many clients who book together, see both audiologists at the same time and then go out for a lunch or coffee together.   It is best to approach your concerns with grace and patience knowing that it takes people on average 7 years after noticing hearing difficulties before they consider treating their hearing loss. 

Earwax (also known as cerumen) is normal and beneficial.  It serves multiple purposes in our ears from protection (it has anti-microbial properties) to lubrication. Earwax production varies widely for each person and usually comes out on its own, without the need for intervention (use of Q-tips is not recommended!).  However, earwax can be a problem if it builds up in the ear canal and causes hearing loss or affects hearing aid use.  Please speak with your doctor or one of our audiologists on how to manage your earwax problem.  

For more information, please go to our Wax Removal section at the bottom of this page.

Please do not try to remove earwax yourself.  The saying “Do not put anything smaller than your elbows in your ears” rings true here. Normally, ear wax is produced in the ear canal and then makes its way out the ear canal.  Using a Q-tip to try to “remove” earwax usually results in the earwax moving deeper into the ear canal and even becoming impacted, which may cause a temporary hearing loss.   Physicians usually remove wax using irrigation (syringing) methods with water.  Our audiologists use micro-suction and curettage methods to remove ear wax.  

For more information, please go to our Wax Removal section at the bottom of this page.

Please contact your family doctor if your ear(s) hurt.  There should be no pain in your ears so this could be a sign of a medical issue and should be addressed immediately.

There are many internal and external benefits to improving your hearing capacity, including the reduction of listening effort and social isolation.  Hearing aids often help improve other areas of life such as personal relationships, workplace productivity, and academic studies. There is also extensive research on the correlation between hearing loss and cognitive decline. According to leading researchers on memory and cognition at John Hopkins University, the treatment of hearing loss is now considered the single most modifiable risk factor for preventing cognitive decline.   The ability to hear is an essential human function that elevates all our worldly and personal experiences!  We are here to help!

• Maximize and Optimize!  The ultimate goal of our hearing aid services is to maximize your hearing abilities/competence and to optimize the hearing aid performance.  We want to elevate your hearing abilities and expectations.  However, because each person’s hearing loss and communication challenges are unique, maximum and optimal benefit look different for each person.  We work with each client to customize their hearing aid solution to their individual needs. 

• It takes time and expertise for the audiologist to adjust and fine-tune a hearing aid and most people require additional appointments to fine-tune the hearing aids after they have used it in regular life.  We also spend time talking about realistic expectations, how to adapt to new hearing aids, and how to use and care for the hearing aids. 

• Hearing aids have tiny, sophisticated electronic components that are controlled by a miniaturized computer.  These small devices are situated in the ear canal which is humid, potentially also with dead skin and ear wax, which are problematic for electronic devices.  Regular, expert maintenance is required to ensure your hearing aids continue to work optimally. 

• Proceeding with hearing aid is just the first step towards better communication.  We at Elevate Hearing will support you throughout your hearing loss journey, provide education on better ways to communicate and also direct you to useful resources to help you improve your own 

• Hearing aids are indeed “aids”, and not a cure.  They can be extremely helpful and life-changing for many people, but they cannot restore your hearing to be equal to someone with normal hearing. 

• How well you hear with your hearing aids depends in part on the degree of damage in your ears.  A person with a mild hearing loss will usually perform better with hearing aids than a person with a severe to profound hearing loss. 

• When hearing aids are not enough, we have other solutions that can be part of a treatment plan, including assistive listening devices (e.g., Roger system), and aural rehabilitation techniques.  Our audiologists can discuss the options with you.   

• Hearing aids are sophisticated marvels of technology that incorporate powerful, miniaturized computers, as well as components of artificial intelligence and machine learning.  The development of this technology takes extensive research and development. 

• Fitting hearing aids requires a trained professional to select, prescribe, evaluate and adjust the hearing aids.  Each hearing aid must be customized to each person’s hearing and needs. 

• When you choose to proceed with hearing aids, you are purchasing not only the hearing aids themselves, but a service and follow-up package to ensure your hearing aids are properly adjusted and maintained.  The cost of the hearing aids includes a service and follow-up component, which is bundled together with the cost of the devices.  In essence, you are paying up-front for all the appointments needed to adjust and maintain your hearing aids over the 3-year warranty period. 

In British Columbia, there is no coverage for hearing aids through MSP.  Funding is available for people covered by third-party funders, such as WorkSafeBC, Veterans Affairs Canada, and First Nations Health.  People who need hearing aids in order to work may be eligible for WorkBC Assistive Technology Services funding, depending on their income level.  Some people who are on BC’s permanent disability program may have coverage – we can help you verify eligibility if that applies to you.   

On-line sales of hearing aids is prohibited by the College of Speech and Hearing Professional of BC because there can be significant risks of harm with an improperly fit hearing aid.  These hearing aids are often “gray-market”, older technology with minimal or no warranty.  We recommend against purchasing cheaper hearing aids that do not include follow-up services from an Audiologist who can ensure that your hearing aids are fit safely, appropriately, and provide measurable benefit. 

Hearing aid squealing is known as feedback and can occur for a variety of reasons. We work very hard to make sure that you do not experience feedback.  If there is feedback, it could be due to buildup of earwax in the ear, a cracked or damaged hearing aid/mold, or an incompletely inserted hearing aid.  We are here to help if you experience feedback issues – this is part of our follow-up service.  

If you have any problems, please call for an appointment at 604-707-7145. 

• Miniaturization of electronic and computer components has made so-called Invisible-In-the-Canal (IIC) hearing aids possible.  That said, hearing aids must be large enough to include all the components necessary to make them function, therefore how small a hearing aid can be made is a function of the size of the ear canal it needs to fit in.  If you have larger ear canal it is more likely that a nearly invisible hearing aid can be made for you, versus someone with very small ear canals. 

• Another innovative option for people who want hearing that is invisible is the Phonak Lyric, an extended wear device. This device stays in the ear full-time and is replaced every two to three months.  Please visit the Hearing Aids section of our website for more information on the Phonak Lyric. 

• A proper recommendation of one vs two hearing aids requires a complete hearing assessment of your hearing sensitivity and hearing health. 

• Hearing from both ears is required to maximize benefit.  For example: localizing the source of sounds in space as well as hearing in noisy, challenging environments is much easier with two ears. 

• Most people who have hearing loss have it in both ears, or bilaterally.   For bilateral hearing loss, two hearing aids are recommended to maximize benefit.     

• Some people have hearing loss in one ear, requiring one hearing aid only.  Each person’s situation is different, and we will discuss all your options so that you can make an informed decision.  All hearing aids come with a 60-day trial period to give you time to evaluate benefit. 

• For more information, please visit the Hearing Aids section to read about hearing aid expectations and successes.      

Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no actual external noise is present. While it is commonly referred to as “ringing in the ears,” Tinnitus can be perceived as many distinct sounds including buzzing, hissing, whistling, swooshing, and clicking. In some rare cases, Tinnitus patients report hearing music. Tinnitus can be both acute (temporary)or chronic (ongoing). Recent studies from Statistics Canada revealed that about 37% of Canadians report having experienced Tinnitus annually.

The two main causes of tinnitus are hearing loss and loud noise damage. Tinnitus is often a symptom of hearing loss, making full hearing assessment important.  Other possible causes of tinnitus can include earwax impaction, middle ear infections, inner ear disorders, head and neck injuries, TMJ problems, cardiovascular diseases, thyroid problems, and rare benign acoustic tumors.

Tinnitus is a symptom stemming from changes within or near the auditory system; Tinnitus is not a disease and therefore does not require a cure.  Studies have shown that almost everyone will experience Tinnitus at some point in their lifetime; the difference is their reaction to the Tinnitus which can stem from mild to severe.  Our goal at Elevate Hearing is to provide you with options, help demystify your tinnitus and provide strategies for you to manage your Tinnitus so you can feel more in control of your life.

• Acute Tinnitus can be temporary and will often go away on its own.  For chronic Tinnitus, most people do habituate it and eventually do not notice its presence anymore.  Habituation means that their brain detects some internal signals (the tinnitus) but was able to ignore it later.   When Tinnitus is more persistent, neuroscience research has shown that the Tinnitus has likely achieved a high level of importance in our minds and is therefore detected due to our hypervigilant awareness of its presence. 

• A complicating factor is that people who approach their primary health care provider about tinnitus are sometimes told to “Just try to live with it”, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness and distress.  Management of Tinnitus includes a careful evaluation and explanation of how Tinnitus can occur. 

• At Elevate Hearing, we use a combination of educational counselling and sound enrichment therapy to help offer tools for Tinnitus relief and habituation.

• Yes, many people report relief from Tinnitus with the use of hearing aids.  

• Research shows that 80% of people with Tinnitus also have a hearing loss; it is therefore usually beneficial to treat the hearing loss.  Sometimes people report feeling that their Tinnitus impedes their ability to hear important speech sounds; however, it is usually the underlying hearing loss that causes the hearing difficulty and problems focusing/understanding.  

• Even with minimal hearing loss hearing aids can help offer Tinnitus relief and help you hear better. The more you hear the environment around you, the less likely you are to concentrate on the Tinnitus. 

• Hyperacusis is a hearing disorder where an oversensitivity is developed towards everyday sounds. These sounds are then perceived as uncomfortably loud or possibly painful. This condition can occur in one or both ears.  Hyperacusis can have a negative impact on a person’s life by limiting their ability to tolerate and participate in regular life situations. Some people have noticed an increase in sound sensitivity after a particularly stressful life event.   Other people have reported sound sensitivities following a sudden loud sound exposure.

• Hyperacusis can develop on its own or alongside Tinnitus symptoms.  25-30% of people with Tinnitus also report Hyperacusis symptoms.

• Hyperacusis, like tinnitus, is a symptom of an oversensitive auditory system and not a disease.  For many people proper management of the hyperacusis can reduce their sensitivity significantly so they can live more “normal” lives and do what they love again. 

• Whenever a person presents with Hyperacusis and Tinnitus, the Hyperacusis must be treated first and often the Tinnitus symptoms will subside along with the sound sensitivity.  A careful assessment and explanation of how our auditory system works and how Hyperacusis may have developed can be very reassuring for an individual living with Hyperacusis. 

• We employ techniques to help desensitize your auditory system and capitalize on the brain’s amazing ability to be retrained.  Because Hyperacusis is a complex disorder and can be linked to other underlying conditions, progress takes time and for some people, complete success may not be achievable.  But there is always hope as we work with you to develop coping strategies.  

The internet is full of information but knowing the difference between helpful, evidence-based information and anecdotal information can be confusing/misleading.  At Elevate Hearing we help you sift through the sea of information and recommend learning from the following evidence-based websites: 

• British Tinnitus Association https://www.tinnitus.org.uk/ 

• American Tinnitus Association https://www.ata.org/ 

• Ida Institute  First Aid kit http://www.tinnituskit.com/ 

• Hyperacusis information https://hyperacusisresearch.org/ 

This appointment is for clients who require a full diagnostic evaluation of their hearing status and communication goals.  It includes time for consultation about a treatment plan, including hearing aid recommendations if needed.  The assessment includes a visual inspection of the ear canal, ear wax removal (if medically indicated), air- and bone-conduction threshold testing, speech reception threshold testing, speech testing in quiet and speech-in-noise testing, loudness discomfort testing, and questionnaires as appropriate.  The results will be explained, your questions will be addressed, and a treatment plan will be presented to meet your goals and lifestyle needs.

Must be booked within 6 months of hearing assessment. 

This appointment is for clients who already completed the New Client baseline hearing assessment and are now interested in recommendations for hearing solutions. This consultation includes an explanation of hearing results, overview of your communication challenges and goals, and recommendations for hearing solutions.  Depending on what you select, we may also take earmold impressions at this appointment.

This appointment is for individuals who want professional earwax removal and prefer the non-irrigation method (i.e., do not want water syringing).  Earwax will be removed using a specialized head loupe and/or ENT binocular microscope along with micro-suction and/or curettage tools.  This appointment is for one or two ears and whether the earwax is completely removed or not.  This time is reserved for you at the cost of the clinic and payment is due at the time of service.  You will receive a case history, video otoscopy of your ear canal, an assessment of your middle ear cavity and wax removal of affected ear(s).  On rare occasions, it may be unsafe to continue wax removal – in that case you may be rebooked so that the wax can be further softened with oil or referred back to your family physician.

This appointment is dedicated to existing Elevate Hearing clients who have hearing aids that have exceeded their three year warranty but wish to have their hearing aids re-adjusted.  There is a nominal fee for this service.  You will receive a visual inspection of your ear, hearing aid cleaning, earwax removal (if required for proper adjustments), replacement of minor parts, real-ear measurements, and adjustments/re-programming of your hearing aids to optimal levels.  If out-of-office repairs are required for the hearing aid(s), you will be informed about the cost at the appointment.

This appointment is for new clients who did not get their hearing aids at Elevate Hearing.  We are often a go-to service provider for second opinions. Out of professional respect, we will not interfere with another clinic’s trial period. However, if these are your own hearing aids and you are wondering if they need to be readjusted or replaced, we are happy to offer our professional opinion. You will receive a case history, questionnaires as needed, video otoscopy, hearing aid cleaning, and real-ear verification measurements for one or two hearing aids.  If replacement parts are required and available in-house to improve the performance of the hearing aid, you will be informed of the cost.

This appointment is for new clients who would like their hearing aids (purchased elsewhere) serviced, cleaned, checked and maintained.  You will also receive video otoscopy of your ear and ear wax removal if needed.  If additional parts are required and available in-house, you will be notified of the costs.

This appointment is for individuals who want ear mold impressions made for in-earmonitors, swim plugs, noise plugs, custom headphones etc., and want to send to their choice of supplier.  We will package the impressions safely for you! You will receive video otoscopy of your ears, ear wax removal (if necessary prior to taking impressions), and one or two earmold impressions.  

Tinnitus evaluation and consultation (1.5 hours)

This appointment is for clients who have already had a full hearing assessment and are seeking more help in managing their chronic tinnitus.  This time is reserved for you to talk about your concerns and ask questions.  You will receive a tinnitus evaluation, questionnaires, education and demystification of tinnitus, and a personalized treatment plan.  You will also receive self-help resources tailored for you to take home and review. Please see our Tinnitus and Hyperacusis section for more information.

This appointment is for clients who have already completed a full hearing assessment and are seeking relief from hyperacusis (hypersensitivity to everyday moderately-loud sounds).  This time is reserved for you to share your concerns and ask questions.  You will receive a hyperacusis evaluation, education and demystification of hyperacusis, questionnaires, and a personalized treatment plan.  You will also receive self-help resources tailored for you to take home for review. Please see our Tinnitus and Hyperacusis section for more information.

This appointment is for clients who have already completed the Tinnitus/DST evaluation and consultation sessions and would like further monitoring and follow-up to manage their tinnitus or Hyperacusis.  You will receive further education on Tinnitus or Hyperacusis management, self-help strategies and exercises, and further help on areas of distress like sleep, concentration, or thoughts and emotions.  You will also be evaluated on your progress at the beginning of each session. 

This appointment is for clients who want to protect their hearing when exposed to loud music.  You will receive a baseline hearing assessment (case history, video otoscopy, middle ear testing, air- and bone-conduction threshold testing) and earmold impressions. 

The earmold impressions will be used to craft custom made Musician’s earplugs.  A 30 minute appointment will be booked two weeks later at which time you will receive the earplugs and their performance will be verified.