elevate-hearing

Elevate in Action: Our Community Impact

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:03:42 GMT

Empowering the Next Generation of Athletes

Supporting the Canadian Women’s Deaf National Team

This past year, Elevate Hearing had the immense honour of sponsoring the Canadian Women’s Deaf National Team on their journey to the international stage in Tokyo.

Beyond the competition, our support provided the team with matching jerseys, jackets, and backpacks, as well as an additional training camp to help this young, high-potential roster prepare for the world stage. Highlights of the trip included:

A Top-10 World Finish: The team secured 7th place, showing incredible grit and future potential.
International Recognition: The team received personal commendation from the Ukrainian coach for their talent and bright future.
Diplomatic Honors: The delegation was invited to the Canadian Embassy in Japan , meeting with the Ambassador to celebrate their achievement.

"Your support meant a lot and really helped us build the team up again. It allowed us to get matching gear and helped us get an additional training camp... It really did help us out."

Madeline, Team Member

LACE AI Pro

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 01:07:32 GMT

At Elevate Hearing, we believe better hearing means more than just amplification. It’s about connection, confidence, and communication. By combining advanced hearing technology with programs like Lace AI Pro, our patients can enjoy conversations, social events, and daily life with greater ease.

Learn more about Lace AI Pro

The Tinnitus Research Initiative (TRI) Annual Conference is taking place in Vancouver, Canada this year.

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 19:46:49 GMT

Exciting Announcement

The Tinnitus Research Initiative (TRI) Annual Conference is taking place in Vancouver, Canada this year.

This conference, being held for the first time in Canada, provides an exciting opportunity to hear from the most recognized and respected tinnitus researchers and scientists in the world. TRI-2024 “The Science of Tinnitus” focuses on current and contemporary research findings, trends and information in the fields of tinnitus and hyperacusis.

As part of this conference, TRI will be hosting a public event:

TINNITUS RESEARCH INITIATIVE-2024 CONFERENCE ROUND-UP

VENUE

UBC Robson Square 800 Robson Street,

Vancouver, Canada

DATE & TIME

Wednesday, June 12th, 6:30PM-8:00PM

Highlights from the preceding 3-days of the professional and academic conference will be presented

for anyone interested in tinnitus or hyperacusis (sound sensitivity).

ENTRANCE IS FREE BUT PLEASE PRE-REGISTER BY EMAILING YOUR FULL NAME TO: tri2024public@gmail.com

Space is limited and will be given out on a first come, first serve basis.

Thanks to Sound idEARS and the American Tinnitus Association for their support in presenting this event.

Celebrating Hearing and Speech Month: Elevating Awareness with Elevate Hearing

Tue, 14 May 2024 18:04:31 GMT

May is Hearing and Speech Month , a time dedicated to raising awareness about hearing and speech problems, and promoting treatments that can significantly improve quality of life for those affected. At Elevate Hearing, we are committed to raising awareness by educating our community on the importance of early detection and the difference hearing intervention can make in a person’s life.

The Importance of Early Intervention Hearing and speech disorders can affect anyone, but early detection and intervention are crucial. The sooner these conditions are identified, the more effective the treatment can be. At Elevate Hearing, we provide comprehensive hearing evaluations that help identify issues at the earliest stages. Studies have shown that treating hearing loss can provide improvements to overall quality of life, as well as have protective effects on cognition.

Advancements in Hearing Technology Technological advancements have revolutionized the way hearing impairments are treated. Today, state-of-the-art hearing aids and other assistive devices are not just functional, but also stylish and comfortable. At Elevate Hearing, we offer the latest in hearing technology, tailored to fit the individual needs and lifestyles of our clients.

How You Can Participate There are many ways to participate in Hearing and Speech Month:

Educate yourself and others about the signs of hearing and speech disorders.
Schedule a hearing test for yourself or a loved one.
Support and learn from Canadian organizations that provide resources for hearing and speech therapy.
https://www.sac-oac.ca/for-the-public/
https://canadianaudiology.ca/
https://www.speechandhearing.ca/

We invite everyone to take part in Hearing and Speech Month. Communication impacts everyone. Whether you or someone you know might be experiencing hearing difficulties, or if you're simply interested in learning more, Elevate Hearing is here to help. Contact us to schedule an appointment, or visit our website www.elevatehearing.ca to find resources about hearing health.

Celebrating Two Years of Elevate Hearing

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 19:33:15 GMT

Two years have flown by since Elevate Hearing opened its doors, thanks to the vision of co-founders Praise Chow and Charles Fontaine. Nestled in Vancouver’s renowned medical district, our independent hearing clinic has thrived, building on over 40 years of collective expertise to deliver premier hearing healthcare to our valued clients.

A heartfelt thank you to both our loyal clients who have continued with us and the new faces who have chosen our clinic for their hearing needs. Your trust and support mean the world to us, and we are deeply moved by the numerous 5-star Google reviews you've taken the time to share.

Our appreciation extends to Stacey Ready, our Client Care Specialist, whose dedication and knack for solving problems have been invaluable to both our team and clients.

As we step into another year, Elevate Hearing is more committed than ever to providing exceptional care. Our pursuit of excellence includes a commitment to continuous learning and improvement to enhance our services and client care.

We eagerly anticipate many more years of serving you and invite you to discover the unique benefits of independent service, unparalleled expertise, and a client-first approach at Elevate Hearing.

Here's to moving forward, together.

Warm regards,

Praise and Charles

Celebrating Sounds: Raising Awareness on World Hearing Day

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 18:29:58 GMT

Hearing is a vital sense that connects us to the world, allowing us to communicate, learn, and enjoy life's beautiful sounds. Yet, it's a gift that many of us take for granted. World Hearing Day, observed on March 3rd every year, aims to raise awareness about hearing loss prevention and promote ear and hearing care across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) spearheads this global initiative, emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention for hearing loss. The theme for World Hearing Day changes annually, addressing various aspects of hearing care, from the impact of noise pollution to the importance of timely and effective treatment.

The Silent Epidemic

Hearing loss is often dubbed the "silent epidemic," affecting millions worldwide, yet it doesn't receive the attention it deserves. Causes include genetic causes, complications at birth, certain infectious diseases, chronic ear infections, exposure to excessive noise, and aging. The impact of hearing loss is profound, affecting communication, education, employment, and overall quality of life.

Technology and Innovation:

Advancements in technology have brought about significant improvements in hearing care. From sophisticated hearing aids and cochlear implants to cutting-edge diagnostic tools, these innovations offer hope and improved quality of life for those with hearing loss. Tele-audiology has also emerged as a powerful tool, especially in remote areas, making hearing care more accessible.

How You Can Help

Here are some ways you can participate:

Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the causes and prevention of hearing loss. Share this knowledge with your community.
Protect Your Ears: Use ear protection in noisy environments and keep the volume down on personal audio devices.
Advocate for Change: Support policies and programs that aim to prevent hearing loss and promote hearing care.
Get Your Hearing Tested: Early detection can make a significant difference. Encourage loved ones to do the same.

A Collective Effort

On World Hearing Day, let's commit to making hearing health a priority, ensuring that everyone can experience the world in all its auditory richness. As we observe this important day, let's remember the power of hearing and the importance of taking care of this precious sense. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by hearing loss and ensure that the world remains a symphony of sounds for all to enjoy.

Understanding Your Hearing Loss

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 22:48:12 GMT

Far too often, people get hearing aids but end up rarely using them.

At Elevate Hearing, our goal is to keep hearing aids out of drawers and in your ears, by ensuring they are as helpful as possible.

One of the key factors to success is understanding your hearing loss and using that information to select the best devices and treatment plan for your needs. When your hearing aids match the hearing challenges you experience, they become essential to your daily life.

At Elevate Hearing, we offer a two-month hearing aid trial period during which we will check in with follow-up appointments and take care of any concerns that arise during your adaptation period. During these two months you will come in for hearing aid check-ups to discuss your progress and make any necessary adjustments to the hearing aids at our hearing clinic.

This is how Elevate Hearing approaches hearing care. And it is why we help people have better success with their hearing aids.

Understanding hearing loss

What is hearing loss?

Hearing loss is experienced when an individual is not able to hear sounds as well as people with “normal” hearing. Approximately 54% of Canadians over the age of 40 experience hearing loss to some degree.

Although it is common, hearing loss isn’t as simple as “you have it or you don’t,” and everyone experiences it differently. Some people may struggle to hear lower-pitched sounds, while others may not be able to hear sounds at a higher pitch. Some people may experience more difficulty than others for a given degree of hearing loss, depending on their listening needs and lifestyle.

You may have noticed that you need to watch TV at a higher volume, or you may find it difficult to follow conversations in certain environments or when certain people are speaking. Some challenges are more common than others, but there isn’t one uniform way that hearing loss is experienced.

Types of hearing loss

Hearing loss can affect one ear or both ears. It can range from mild to profound, often with different pitches affected by varying degrees of loss.

There are three main types of hearing loss that describe the place in the ear that is damaged or affected:

Conductive hearing loss: In the outer ear or middle ear, for example wax plugging the ear canal.

Sensorineural hearing loss: In the inner ear or related to the connections between the ears and brain. This is the most common type of hearing loss.

Mixed: A combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

It is our goal to understand your type of the hearing loss during our hearing test. This information will help us to give you the best options for care.

What causes hearing loss

Many different factors can contribute to hearing loss. During your hearing test, we will discuss your lifestyle, health, and noise history. This information will provide clues into the causes and nature of your hearing loss.

Family History/Genetics: There may be a family history of hearing loss, resulting in hearing loss with increasing age.

Medical History: Your overall health plays a significant role in your hearing health. Ear infections can cause damage and lead to hearing loss. Certain diseases, such as meningitis or chickenpox, can cause diminished hearing health, and other medical conditions such as diabetes and sleep apnea have been correlated with hearing loss.

Medications: Some medications (called ototoxic medications, where “oto” refers to ears) can contribute to damage to the ears.

Noise Exposure:

Work Noise Exposure: Occupations that require consistent exposure to loud environments or loud noises from things like power tools or sirens can diminish your hearing over time.
Recreational/Hobby Noise Exposure: Your personal noise history is another key factor. Loud noises can cause irreparable damage to the ear. Attending noisy events, such as concerts or sporting events, can damage your hearing over time. Participating in motorsports and practicing hobbies that use power tools can lead to hearing loss.
Extreme Noise: Even a one-time exposure to an intense sound, like a gunshot or a firecracker, can cause noise trauma that results in permanent hearing loss.

This list isn’t exhaustive – there are many factors that can contribute to hearing loss and a lot of different ways that hearing loss can be experienced. This is why it is crucial for you to understand your hearing loss before deciding on a solution.

How to understand hearing loss

Get a hearing test

A hearing test is the first step in determining if you have a hearing loss and what the causes of your hearing issues could be. We also try to connect the impacts of your hearing loss with the challenges you face in your daily life.

An untreated hearing impairment can limit learning potential, reduce work performance, cause social anxiety and isolation, and can even increase the risk of dementia in some people. Using a hearing aid in the early stages of hearing loss may help reduce these risks.

Review your results with a hearing care professional

Following your test, our Elevate Hearing audiologists will review the test results with you. If you have a hearing loss that can be helped by hearing aids, we will provide a thorough consultation and provide recommendations for treatment based on your hearing loss and your specific hearing challenges.

“Cherry on the cake is both their wonderful receptionist Stacey and the new beautifully designed office. I highly recommend both Praise and Charles and Elevate Hearing; you will be very well served!”

Dr. Joan Robillard, retired Family Physician

An ongoing journey to better understand your hearing

Once treatment is selected, we provide ongoing care and maintenance to monitor your progress and help you further understand your hearing loss. The more we learn about your hearing, the more we can optimize the performance of your hearing aids.

You are ultimately in charge of your hearing loss treatment, and understanding your hearing loss will give you the information and tools you need to be proactive about your hearing health.

Start understanding your hearing by booking a hearing test

Book an appointment with Elevate Hearing today.

Celebrating One Year of Elevate Hearing!

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 01:32:00 GMT

Elevate Hearing is celebrating one year in business! One year ago, co-owners Praise Chow and Charles Fontaine founded a new, independent hearing clinic in the heart of Vancouver’s medical district, where they brought their more than 40 years of combined experience to provide outstanding hearing healthcare services to their clients.

Thank you to our new clients and to our previous clients who have found us in our new clinic. We are honoured by your trust and support, and thankful to the many clients who generously took the time to write us 5-star Google reviews .

We are also thankful for our Client Care Specialist, Stacey Ready, who is always “ready” to problem-solve for us and our clients.

Elevate Hearing promises to continue to strive for excellence in client care to optimize all your hearing healthcare needs. This includes continuing education and ongoing learning: Audiologists Praise and Charles will be travelling to Seattle, Washington to attend the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) 2023 Conference this April. We will be implementing what we learn at the conference to enhance our client care.

We look forward to celebrating many more years of business. You are invited to come experience the difference independent service, expertise, and client-centred care makes.

Elevate Hearing is here to help.

Sincerely,

Praise and Charles

Essential Reading for Anyone Living With Hearing Loss

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 19:59:00 GMT

Praise’s Review: The Way I Hear It: A Life With Hearing Loss by Gael Hannan

When I first picked up this book, I could not put it down. Gael has her audience captured with her witty stories and authentic sharing about the ups and downs of life with hearing loss. I cried and laughed and felt like I was walking alongside her life journey as she talks about having a significant hearing impairment and navigating the challenges of growing up, schooling, working, dating, marriage, and family life. Gael gives us an honest picture of the depth of her disappointments and the joys of her triumphs. I have been introducing The Way I Hear It to my clients since it was published in 2015 because I firmly believe that life is much better when we do it together. One of my clients even commented that this book “felt like a big hug”. Gael helped her feel less alone and more understood. In her memoir, Gael shares the resources and experiences that changed her life and her family’s life.

Do yourself a favour and read this book, maybe it will change your life too! �� 5 stars!

Praise’s Review: Hear & Beyond: Live Skillfully with Hearing Loss by Shari Eberts and Gael Hannan

When I heard that Gael had another book coming out in early 2022, I quickly put in a preliminary order through Amazon.ca to have it sent to me as soon as it was available. This time Gael joined forces with hearing loss advocate and author, Shari Eberts, for another essential read . Hear & Beyond has many accolades and has been summarized as “the ultimate survival guide to living well with hearing loss” and “a clear roadmap for individuals living with hearing loss”. Gael’s previous book was written as a personal memoir, while this book is written like a guide for life. Together, Gael and Shari educate us all about hearing loss concepts that many of us may not even think about. This hearing loss manual discuses different segments of life with hearing loss and goes from understanding why this book is important, changing mindsets, to becoming a confident personal advocate for good communication. This new book is a reference for different life stages, and the authors share “life hacks” that they have developed and improved over the years. Hear & Beyond will offer a fresh positive outlook to living life with hearing loss.

You owe it to yourself to read this book! �� 5 stars!

As always, please contact us if we can help in any way.

#HearingLoss #HearAndBeyond

Living Successfully With Hearing Loss - Online Course at Vancouver Community College

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 00:20:00 GMT

Some people still struggle day-to-day even with the use of their hearing aids. Others want to learn as much as possible to maximize their communication abilities. A course offered at Vancouver Community College (VCC) meets these needs:

Our clients who have attended consistently give this class excellent reviews - Lisa really is an exceptional teacher! The course consists of small online classes (afternoon and evening times are available), once per week for 12 weeks.

Level 1 begins September 13th, 2022. Tuition and fees are approximately $295, but financial aid may be available.

Contact Lisa at ldillonedgett@vcc.ca for more info or to register. Also see below for more information - the pdf can be downloaded by clicking on the image.

As always, feel free to contact us at Elevate Hearing if you would like more information.

Hearing Loss Prevention

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 23:47:00 GMT

Let’s celebrate Canada day long weekend by knowing how to protect our hearing!

Our world seems to get noisier all the time, and many of us use our devices most of our day. Hearing loss prevention is at the heart of what Audiologists do. Here are some useful guidelines and tips:

Appropriate headphone dosage/day:
-Practice the 80/90 Rule: No more than 80% of volume for 90 minutes/day. If you want to listen for longer, then the volume needs to go down.
-Choose noise-cancelling over-the-ear headphones: less volume will be needed compared with in-the-ear headphones

How to test noisy kids’ toys:
-Hold toy at arm’s length. If you cannot hear conversational speech, it could be damaging to your child’s hearing.
-Different types of noise protection are available:

Noise protection for loud machines noises/industrial use; protection for shooting; sleeping plugs.
-High-fidelity earplugs for music enjoyment and speech in noisy environments.
-You can choose either non-custom (over-the-counter) or custom-made (require earmold impression) plugs.

More details:
https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hear.../2011/the-8090-rule/
https://www.musiciansclinics.com/index.htm

Communication Tips for May - Speech and Hearing Month

Wed, 11 May 2022 00:11:00 GMT

May is Speech and Hearing Month – let’s learn some tips on how to communicate effectively with people who may have a hearing challenge:

-Visual cues : Face the listener, use expression and gestures, and ensure adequate lighting.
-Speech : Try to speak clearly and slowly. Shouting is not helpful; it usually distorts the speech.
-Check for comprehension : Use shorter sentences and rephrase for understanding if there is a communication breakdown.
-Reduce background noises : Move away or turn off background noise sources when possible. Choose quieter restaurants: lower ceilings, carpeting/drapery, booths are all helpful.
-Attention : Try not to speak from behind or another room. Get the person’s attention by calling his or her name first and ideally facing them.
-Patience : Because hearing loss is an invisible impairment you will never know how hard someone is working to understand you. Please extend the same compassion and patience you would for someone who broke a limb or lost their vision.

We can all do our part to make this world a better place for communication!

We are here to help! Contact us today for an appointment.

The Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss

Fri, 06 May 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Any degree of hearing loss – even mild hearing loss – has a significant impact on communication, which can negatively affect relationships, education and work. Studies show that untreated hearing loss can have significant health and social consequences, for example:
-Feelings of sadness or depression
-Less likely to participate in social situations
-More likely to report anxiety and paranoia
-May contribute to dementia and cognitive decline

The good news is that treating hearing loss has multiple positive benefits, such as:
-Improved relationships at home
-Improved sense of independence
-Improved sex life
-Improved participation in social activities
-Improved mental health and potentially slowing cognitive decline
-Help prevent risk of income loss

The average person waits on average seven years after noticing hearing difficulties before seeking treatment. Why not get your hearing health assessed during May - Speech and Hearing Month? Contact us today!

May is Speech and Hearing Month

Tue, 03 May 2022 00:13:00 GMT

Communication is at the heart of everything we do to connect, learn, work and play with one another. May is Speech and Hearing Month and a wonderful time to learn more!

Audiologists are highly-trained health professionals who provide diagnosis, management, and rehabilitation of hearing challenges.
https://speechandhearing.ca/.../05/Audiologist_E_WEB.pdf

#BetterHearing #BHSM

We are here to help! Contact us today for an appointment.

Did you know?

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 00:19:00 GMT

Did you know that Elevate Hearing’s Audiology team has a combined 37 years of clinical experience? Our modern and comfortable new clinic offers:

Call us at 604-707-7145 to book an appointment today. We are here to help! We are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Grand Opening!

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 19:17:00 GMT

We are excited to announce the grand opening of Elevate Hearing! Elevate Hearing is Vancouver’s newest independent and innovative hearing clinic located in the Broadway medical corridor with free client parking. Co-owners Praise Chow and Charles Fontaine are both passionate about Audiology and have been serving the Lower Mainland for a combined 37 years. We are proud to offer our comprehensive audiology services in our new clinic, Elevate Hearing.

We invite you to discover more about our services at www.elevatehearing.ca and to share our information with your family and friends. We are here to help.