FAQs

We provide comprehensive hearing services including:

• Audiologist services
• Full diagnostic hearing evaluations
• Tinnitus consultations
• Hyperacusis consultations
• Pediatric middle ear assessments
• Hearing aid fittings (digital, wireless, invisible, custom, and Bluetooth compatible)
• Hearing aid repairs, fine tuning, maintenance, and cleaning
• Hearing accessories (premium batteries and cleaning supplies)
• Assistive listening devices
• Custom hearing protection and earmolds
• Earwax removal
• House calls
• Retirement/nursing home cleaning clinics and on-site staff training
• CAPD – Central Auditory Processing Disorder assessments –Children and Adults (psychoeducational assessment for ages 8+)

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No referral is required. You can book your hearing test directly with us! Book Now.

• Hearing tests are not covered by OHIP unless they are conducted by an otolaryngologist.
• Hearing tests range in price based on the reports and documents required with the assessment.
• An initial consultation is available at no charge.

Some Audiologist services are covered by private insurance; it is best to call your insurance company to ask for the details of your coverage and bring that to your appointment.

Yes. We can direct bill third party providers like WSIB, VAC, ODSP, NIHB, MCCSS, OW, IFHP, GreenShield and we can usually assist with assignment of benefits with other private insurance companies if they allow it.

You can expect the following when you arrive at your first appointment:

1. We need to learn how we can help by collecting information from you about you and your medical history through completion of some intake questions.
2. Thoroughly discuss your ear and hearing health concerns.
3. Complete a comprehensive Visual ear exam, including an assessment of the middle ear system.
4. Evaluate your hearing ability and Auditory system health through a multi assessment test protocol.
5. Review and discuss your results with you.
6. Recommend and discuss your best hearing health care options based on your individual concerns and lifestyle needs.

Appointment times depend on the service required; A full comprehensive consultation including a hearing test or CAP test can take as long as 90 minutes; a follow-up appointment or wax removal may take 10-30 minutes.

Yes! We offer complete diagnostic audiological evaluations and hearing tests for adults and children (Ages 4+). We also offer other pediatric Audiology services like middle ear assessments to test PE tube function or diagnose middle ear pathologies. CAPD tests for psychoeducational assessments, OAE assessments (Otoacoustic Emissions test), wax removal, swim plugs and more.

Yes, all our locations are wheelchair accessible and have wheelchair parking right outside our clinic door. Our Hamilton location offers elevator access to our clinic on the upper floor. Please let us know if you have any other specific needs.

Absolutely. We offer house calls as well as on-site visits at retirement/nursing homes for cleaning clinics and staff training.

You can visit us in Hamilton, Brantford, Paris, Brant County! Get directions

You may benefit from hearing aids if you notice signs such as struggling to hear conversations, frequently asking people to repeat themselves, turning up the volume on the TV, or feeling fatigued from listening. A hearing test at Sound Choice Hearing will determine if hearing aids are right for you.
Book Now  or  Take our free online hearing test

We offer a wide range of hearing aids designed for all lifestyles, specifically tailored to your unique needs. This includes both rechargeable and Bluetooth options, along with single-sided solutions and custom-fit models. We carry all Brands, makes and models. Starkey, Phonak, GN ReSound, Widex, Signia, Unitron, Oticon, Bernafon, etc. Learn more:

• Receiver-in canal (RIC)
• Behind-the-ear (BTE)
• Completely-in-canal (CIC)
• In-the-canal (ITC)
• In-the-ear (ITE)
• Invisible (IIC)

The cost of hearing aids varies based on their level of technology, features, and style. We will help you choose the best solution for your needs. Hearing aids typically range from $600-$4000 (after provincial funding). Some third-party insurers get special pricing, reducing costs.

The province of Ontario provides a grant of $500/hearing aid to qualifying residents of Ontario with a valid health card.  They also cover up to $1350 towards assistive listening devices.

If you have private insurance, you will need to call them to ask if you have coverage for Audiology benefits and how much the coverage is.

Some Ontario residents qualify for 100% third-party coverage through WSIB, VAC, NIHB, ODSP, OW, MCCSS, IFHP, ACSD, and we can assist you with setting up this coverage if you require it.

Hearing aids typically last between 4-5 years with proper care. Hearing aids require daily cleaning by the user and regular follow up with us to ensure thorough cleaning and maintenance. Your hearing aids are programmed to the prescription given at the time of your hearing test. As your hearing declines, your prescription also needs to be updated and the hearing aids reprogrammed. This should be done every year.

To keep your devices working their best:

• Clean them daily.
• Store them in a dry, safe place.
• Avoid exposing them to water, hairspray, or high heat. Excessive perspiration can also affect the longevity of your hearing aids.
• Schedule check-ups at our clinic for thorough cleaning and maintenance.

Book your hearing aid repair/cleaning

Hearing aids improve your ability to hear and understand speech, but they do not fully restore your hearing. They are designed to make sounds clearer and more accessible in everyday settings.

We offer both battery-powered models and rechargeable hearing aids that provide all-day power and reliable performance.

Yes! We sell hearing aid batteries at our clinics and can help you choose the right ones.

Most current smartphones are compatible with direct hearing aid connectivity through an app you can download. If you want to know if your exact smartphone’s make and model is compatible, ask us and we can verify this.

• Wearing earplugs or noise-cancelling earmuffs in loud environments.
• Keeping headphone volume below 60% of the maximum.
• Taking breaks from noisy settings to give your ears time to recover.
• Using custom-fit hearing protection, available at Sound Choice Hearing, for work, musicians, or leisure activities.

According to the World Health Organization and International Telecommunication Union (2019), to protect your hearing, the recommended safe level for leisure noise is below 80 decibels (dB) for a maximum of 40 hours per week. This represents the safe amount of sound your ears can manage without damage.

To stay within safe limits:

• Keep your music volume as low as comfortably possible.
• Take breaks from noisy environments, whether at work, home, or during leisure activities.
• Use safe listening features on personal audio devices.
• Watch for signs of hearing damage like ringing in your ears or muffled hearing.

If you are often around loud sounds, it is a good idea to have your hearing assessed regularly to identify any hearing loss as soon as possible.

Yes! At Sound Choice Hearing, we offer custom-molded ear plugs designed to fit your ears perfectly. They provide superior comfort and protection for a variety of needs, including sleeping, swimming, music, industrial work, and more. Learn more

Noise-cancelling headphones are designed to reduce unwanted background sounds using both passive and active noise reduction technologies. This allows you to set your music levels to a safer listening level since there’s less background noise to compete with. Many models can adjust in real-time to cancel out surrounding noise. They are a better option for protecting your hearing in loud environments. That said, it is still important to use them responsibly by keeping volume levels safe and taking listening breaks to avoid potential risks.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) occurs when loud sounds from work, the environment, or leisure activities cause damage to the inner ear. NIHL is the second most common type of permanent hearing loss after age-related hearing loss and affects approximately 400 million people worldwide.

Common signs of hearing loss include difficulty hearing conversations or locating sounds, frequently asking people to repeat themselves, turning the TV or phone volume up too loud, and feeling like others are mumbling. You may also experience ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus) or feeling tired from concentrating on hearing.

In more extreme cases you may avoid social interaction due to the effort required to communicate with others, you may experience fatigue from the effort that is required to hear others and keep up with conversations. You don’t enjoy participating in things you used to because of the listening effort required.

Hearing loss can be caused by many factors, including aging, exposure to loud sounds, ear infections, earwax buildup, head injuries, certain medications, and underlying health conditions such as diabetes or autoimmune diseases. Some people are born with hearing loss while others develop it over time.

Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. Temporary hearing loss is caused by factors such as fluid in the ear, earwax buildup, or infections, and often improves with treatment. Permanent hearing loss, on the other hand, is typically the result of age-related changes or damage to the delicate hair cells in the inner ear. This type of hearing loss is usually irreversible and can occur suddenly or overtime. While permanent hearing loss cannot be cured, it can often be effectively managed with solutions such as hearing aids or assistive listening devices.

Yes, in many cases hearing loss can be prevented. Protecting your ears from loud noise, avoiding the use of cotton swabs or objects in the ear, treating ear infections promptly, and getting regular hearing check-ups are all effective ways to reduce your risk.

Hearing loss is diagnosed through a professional hearing evaluation. At Sound Choice Hearing, this includes a discussion of your hearing and overall health history, a visual exam of the ear, and a series of tests that measure how well you hear different sounds and speech.

There are three main types of hearing loss:

• Normal hearing: Sound vibrations pass from the outer ear through the middle ear to the inner ear and the patient is symptom free of any hearing related issues.
• Functional hearing loss: A form of hearing loss where a person experiences hearing difficulties despite having no physical damage to the auditory system. It is thought to be linked to psychological or emotional factors such as stress, anxiety, unresolved trauma, or subconscious responses to challenging situations.
• Conductive hearing loss (CHL): Damage or blockages in the outer and middle ear that prevent or impede sound from getting to the inner ear and auditory nerve effectively.
• Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL): Damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve.
• Mixed hearing loss: A combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

Yes, hearing loss has been identified as potentially the biggest modifiable risk factor associated with dementia and cognitive decline. Untreated hearing loss can lead to feelings of isolation, frustration, and depression. It can also make communication more difficult, which may affect your relationships and confidence. Hearing well is closely linked to emotional and social well-being.

Research shows that people with untreated hearing loss are at a higher risk of developing dementia compared to those with normal hearing. In fact, age-related hearing loss has been identified as having the greatest impact on dementia risk among all known modifiable factors, including physical inactivity and depression.

Because hearing loss is common, often goes untreated, and usually begins 5 to 10 years before signs of dementia appear, it presents a valuable opportunity for early intervention. Addressing hearing loss through testing and treatment may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Some common signs of hearing loss in children include:

• Delayed speech or difficulty developing clear speech.
• Frequently mishearing or mispronouncing words.
• Not responding when their name is called.
• Trouble hearing in noisy environments or crowded places.
• Often asking others to speak more slowly or clearly.
• Turning up the volume on the TV, tablet, or radio.
• Not reacting to loud sounds or voices, even up close.
• Seeming tired, frustrated, or having trouble focusing.
• Pulling at their ears or showing signs of ear discomfort.
• Ear appears abnormal or was malformed at birth.
• Showing signs of a dominant ear, turning head to hear better in one ear over another
• Tinnitus, commenting on hearing a ringing or buzzing sound.

If you notice any of these signs, a hearing test can help determine whether your child has a hearing concern.

Hearing loss in children can be caused by many factors, including:

• Congenital conditions (present at birth).
• Ear infections (especially repeated or untreated infections).
• Excess fluid in the middle ear.
• Genetic factors.
• Exposure to loud noise.
• Head injuries or certain medications.

Early detection is important to support healthy speech, language, and learning development.

Yes, we currently offer hearing assessments for children over the age of 4 years old at this time. This would be children entering Junior Kindergarten. We are currently working on adding assessments for younger children and infants. Please check back with us about this in the future.

Yes, children can be fit with hearing aids. Modern devices are designed to be small, comfortable, and adaptable for growing ears. At Sound Choice Hearing, we work with families to find the best hearing solutions for children, ensuring proper fit, function, and ongoing support.

A plugged or muffled sensation in your ears can be caused by earwax buildup, fluid in the middle ear, changes in air pressure, or an ear infection. It can also be related to a dysfunction of the Eustachian/auditory tube, which controls pressure in the middle ear. If the feeling does not go away, a hearing test can help to determine the cause.

Tinnitus is described as ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in your ears. If you experience tinnitus, schedule a hearing evaluation to check for underlying causes. While there is no cure for tinnitus, hearing aids, sound therapy, and lifestyle adjustments can help reduce its impact.

Yes, a buildup of earwax can block the ear canal, leading to temporary hearing loss, a plugged sensation, or tinnitus. Earwax removal is a safe and simple procedure offered at Sound Choice Hearing.

In most cases, ears are self-cleaning and do not require additional maintenance. For those who are prone to earwax buildup, professional ear cleaning once or twice a year is usually recommended. It is important to avoid inserting objects like cotton swabs into the ear canal, as this can push wax deeper and potentially cause blockages or injury. For everyday care, gently washing the outer ear with a wet cloth is all that is needed to keep your ears clean and healthy.

It is not recommended to use Q-tips or cotton swabs to clean your ears. They can push wax further into the ear, cause injury, or lead to ear infections. Professional ear cleaning is a safer option.

While permanent hearing loss cannot be reversed naturally, you can protect and support your hearing by:

• Limiting exposure to loud noises
• Wearing hearing protection when needed
• Keeping your ears clean and healthy
• Staying physically active, as good circulation supports ear health
• Avoiding smoking and managing chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure

A hearable is an electronic in-ear device designed with features like those found in hearing aids. These devices use built-in microphones and speakers to pick up and amplify sounds in your environment, making it easier to hear conversations, music, or background noise more clearly. While they are not classified as medical devices, hearables offer basic hearing support, often through customizable settings controlled by a smartphone app. They are a great option for people with mild hearing challenges who want a discreet and flexible listening solution, especially in noisy settings. Devices like AirPods Pro, Samsung Galaxy Buds, or Bose smart headphones are often classified as consumer-grade hearables because they include features such as sound amplification, noise cancellation, and app-based customization.

Hearables, like AirPods or other wireless earbuds, are designed for general listening and lifestyle convenience. Some include sound amplification, but they are not customized to your specific hearing loss or regulated as medical devices. Hearing aids, on the other hand, are professionally prescribed and programmed based on a full hearing evaluation. They offer advanced sound processing, noise reduction, and long-term support for mild to severe hearing loss.

We offer a selection of high-quality hearables through our online e-store, designed for people who want subtle hearing support without committing to traditional hearing aids. These devices are ideal for mild hearing difficulties and can help with everyday listening, especially in noisy environments.

You can browse and purchase these options directly through our eShop.

If you’re not sure which is right for you, feel free to reach out to our team. We’re happy to help you choose the best solution for your needs.

OTCs, or over-the-counter hearing aids, are a category of hearing devices introduced in the United States under FDA regulation in 2022. They are designed for adults aged 18 and over who have perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. These devices can be purchased directly, without a prescription, hearing test, or professional fitting, and typically include basic sound amplification features with adjustable settings.

While OTC hearing aids are legally available in the U.S., they are not currently approved for sale in Canada, including Ontario. In Canada, hearing aids are classified as Class II medical devices and must be prescribed by a licensed hearing care professional, such as an audiologist or physician. This regulation exists to ensure proper fit, safety, and effectiveness, especially because improperly fitted devices can cause further hearing damage.

At Sound Choice Hearing, we stay informed on the evolving regulatory landscape and are happy to help you explore safe, evidence-based hearing solutions available in Canada.

The main difference between OTC hearing aids and prescription hearing aids lies in regulation, customization, and support. OTC hearing aids are available without a hearing test, prescription, or professional fitting. They are designed for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss and are meant to be self-selected and self-fit. These devices are currently legal in the United States but are not approved for sale in Canada. In Canada, hearing aids are considered medical devices and must meet specific safety and quality standards.

Prescription hearing aids, like the ones we provide at Sound Choice Hearing, are custom programmed based on a comprehensive hearing assessment. They are fitted and adjusted by licensed professionals to match your exact hearing needs, and they include follow-up care, counselling, and long-term support. These devices are appropriate for a wide range of hearing losses and offer more advanced technology, including noise reduction, speech enhancement, and connectivity options.

You can book an appointment online, give us a call at any of our clinics, or stop by one of our locations to schedule your visit in person. We are happy to help however it is most convenient for you. More details

Please call us if you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment. Contact info

Yes, we offer virtual consultations upon request. This can be a great option if a patient is unable to come into the clinic due to mobility, health, or travel concerns. We also offer virtual access for family members who want to be part of the consultation but can’t attend in person. We’re happy to make accommodations to ensure everyone involved can stay informed and supported.

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