Hearing Assessments

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.