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***Opening May 2023 Kitsilano Office ***
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Your First Visit to Our Hearing Clinic: What to Expect
By: Susan Flynn, M.Sc., RAUD, RHIP Manager, Clinical Operations & Training
Like any new experience, having your hearing tested for the first time can be intimidating. At Wavefront Centre, a hearing test is $75 for adults and includes a detailed 1.5-hour assessment of your hearing ability, speech understanding ability, and communication needs. Our friendly customer service specialists will put you at ease as soon as you walk through our doors. Here are five steps to expect when visiting us for your first hearing test.
Step 1: Form Completion
Before your appointment, you will receive several electronic forms to complete via email. If you do not have time before your scheduled appointment, our staff will help you fill in the appropriate paperwork upon your arrival.
Step 2: Meeting with Your Hearing Care Professional
Once you complete the forms, you will meet with one of our Hearing Care Professionals (HCP). Your HCP will start by asking what brings you in to have your hearing tested today, followed by some hearing and general health questions. You will then move to an audiometric booth, also called a sound booth, for testing.
Step 3: Tympanometry
Once in the sound booth, the HCP visually inspects your ears for wax and any abnormalities. If the ear canals are clear, the HCP will perform a test called tympanometry by placing a small probe in your ear canals. Tympanometry tests the functioning of your eardrum. The HCP will then set you up for the hearing test by placing small foam earplugs inside your ear canal and giving you a response button.
Step 4: Your Diagnostic Hearing Test
It is now time for your hearing test. The HCP will instruct you on what to do. First, you will hear a series of beeps through the earphones. When you hear a beep, you will press the response button. If hearing loss is present, the HCP will run through the beeps again, this time by playing the beeps through a headband placed on your skull. The HCP will then conduct a series of speech tests and finish with a speech-in-noise test.
Step 5: Your Hearing Test Results
Once the hearing test is complete, the HCP will review your results and answer any questions you may have. If a medical referral is warranted, the HCP will ask for your permission to send your hearing test to your family doctor. If hearing loss is present, and a referral is not required, your HCP will ask if you would like to discuss hearing loss solutions. A follow- appointment may be booked based on your discussion.
The Wavefront Difference
For over 67 years, Wavefront Centre, a registered charitable organization, has proudly served Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing British Columbians and their families. Our hearing clinic operates as a social enterprise, meaning that all profits it generates support our many initiatives.
Read more about our story here https://www.wavefrontcentre.ca/about-us/our-story/
November 22, 2021 – A coalition of over 25 disability organizations delivered the new Liberal Government recommendations for the most pressing issues that persons with disabilities are facing. The recommendations are included in a drafted Throne Speech for the 44th Parliament of Canada to showcase an inclusive and accessible Canada. As well, the recommendations are incorporated in draft Mandate Letters which the Prime Minister routinely issues at the outset of a Cabinet Minister’s term.
March 21, 2022 – The research division at Wavefront Centre has co-authored a published article in a scholarly journal that reveals the impacts on communication with face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic for adults with hearing loss. The article is based on results from our national survey in 2021 where we found that over 80% of respondents reported difficulty with understanding others who wore face masks.
October 14, 2021 – Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility is pleased to announce that Hugh McCormack, RAUD has been appointed to the position of Director, Clinical Operations & Social Enterprise, and will be joining the senior leadership team at Wavefront Centre and overseeing the portfolios of our Hearing Clinics, Communication Devices and Solutions and business development.
October 14, 2021 – Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility is pleased to announce that Dr. Ruth Warick has been appointed to the position of Director, Programs & Services. Dr. Warick will be joining the senior leadership team of Wavefront Centre overseeing various portfolios including: Accessible Communication Services, Community Outreach Programs, and Community Research Program at Wavefront Centre.
September 24, 2021 – We are excited to launch an accessible visor card with Vancouver Police Department during the International Week of the Deaf! This tool is designed to reduce the communication barriers between Vancouver police officers and people who are Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing, a milestone for our local communities to remove barriers and to improve accessibility and inclusion.
September 20, 2021 – Communication builds pathways between people, nurtures relationships and strengthens communities – Which is why the team at Wavefront Centre is bringing virtual celebrations to your fingertips. This week we celebrate International Week of the Deaf 2021 (September 20 to 26). Save the dates for a week full of informative videos to learn more and celebrate our communities!
September 8, 2021 – A coalition of over 25 disability organizations called on the major political parties to attend a national election debate on disability issues on September 7. Access the virtual debate recording if you missed it.
August 1, 2021 – The Hearing Access Health Kit is designed for persons with hearing loss to assist them in self-advocacy for their access and communication needs during a hospital stay or medical appointments.
August 23, 2021 – The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA), University of British Columbia (UBC), and Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility release a report on findings from a recent survey released to Canadians on the Impacts of COVID-19 on Communication Accessibility for Adults with Hearing Loss.
Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility is the operating name for Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, a registered charitable organization.
Charitable Registration Number #108200098RR0001
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