HEARING AIDS KELOWNA – YOUR LOCALLY OWNED HEARING CLINIC
A first pair of hearing aids can sometimes feel like a big, and maybe even scary step. You’re not alone in feeling this way. In fact, the average person waits seven years after noticing difficulty hearing to even get a hearing test. There is a lot to consider, and you as the wearer need to feel comfortable navigating this new and possibly unknown territory.
A first pair of hearing aids can sometimes feel like a big, and maybe even scary step. You’re not alone in feeling this way. In fact, the average person waits seven years after noticing difficulty hearing to even get a hearing test.
There is a lot to consider, and you as the wearer need to feel comfortable navigating this new and possibly unknown territory. We’re here to help.
There is a lot to consider when you first start to notice it is harder to hear.
Maybe you might be wondering:
- What do hearing aids look like?
- Will people see my hearing aids?
- How do I choose a hearing aid that is best for me?
- Can I try hearing aids before I buy them?
- Only old people wear hearing aids and I’m not old.
Everyone Starts With a Full Diagnostic Hearing Evaluation
The first step to better understanding your hearing is a diagnostic hearing evaluation to determine:
Hearing assessments are not all created equal. A complete hearing test, also referred to as a ‘diagnostic hearing test’ or a ‘hearing evaluation’ includes a full assessment of your hearing ability, your speech understanding ability, and an assessment of your outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. This type of test can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour or more, depending on the degree and type of your hearing loss, and is typically performed by an audiologist.
A hearing screening is an abbreviated version of a standard hearing test. It is a test only of your ability to hear different tones for each ear. The screening will only indicate if a hearing loss is present or not. A hearing screening typically takes less than 15 minutes.
Once we know you would benefit from Hearing Aids:
We have an in-depth conversation covering the following aspects of hearing aids and your specific needs.
Once you have had your diagnostic evaluation, the audiologist will go over the results of the assessment and can talk about the next steps with amplification, if you are a candidate.
This conversation will cover the following topics in detail:
What do Hearing Aids cost?
Lakeside Hearing, Balance, and Tinnitus Clinic is independently owned, allowing patient-centered individualized care and low-cost hearing aid technology from all manufacturers. We will help you find a solution to meet your hearing needs within your budget.
We also provide unlimited timely follow-up care to ensure that your hearing aids are always working at their best potential for the lifetime of the hearing aid.
The cost of the hearing aids ranges from $1300 to $3100 per ear. The price of the hearing aids is NOT impacted by the look or size of the hearing aid, rather it is the computer chip inside.
Some factors that influence the price of hearing aids of all the brands we prescribe at our independently owned Kelowna Hearing Clinic:
Why Proper Fitting and Ongoing Care Matter
Hearing aids are tools. How well they work depends on how carefully they are fit, adjusted, and supported over time.
Many people come to us after purchasing hearing aids that did not meet their needs. Often, the issue was not the technology itself, but the process around it. Hearing systems are highly individual, and they change as the brain adapts to sound again.
A thoughtful fitting process includes:
- Programming hearing aids based on your specific hearing profile and listening environments
- Verifying settings so sound is delivered accurately to your ears
- Making adjustments over time as your system adapts
- Learning how to use your hearing aids in real world situations
- Ongoing follow up as your needs, routines, and environments change
This approach helps ensure your hearing aids support clarity, comfort, and confidence in daily life, rather than ending up unused or overwhelming.
Our focus is not simply helping you hear more sound. It is helping your hearing system work better in the situations that matter to you, with guidance and care that continues beyond the first fitting.
Is there Coverage for Hearing Aids?
The cost of hearing aids is, unfortunately, a limiting factor for many. In British Columbia, there is no coverage for hearing aids under the Medical Services Plan (MSP). Therefore, most people who need hearing aids are purchasing them privately.
However, you may be eligible for coverage if:
Additionally, many extended health plans include some level of audiology or hearing aid coverage. It’s worth reviewing your benefits or contacting your insurer directly to find out what’s available to you.
There is no tax charged on hearing aids, and the cost is considered a medical expense, which means it may be tax deductible. This could result in a return or deduction come tax season.
We also offer flexible payment plans to help make hearing care more accessible when coverage is limited or unavailable.
When left untreated, hearing loss can lead to isolation, frustration, and fatigue for the individual and family members.
Lakeside Hearing is dedicated to serving the Okanagan as your number one resource for comprehensive audiological assessment and hearing rehabilitation for all ages. Prescribed treatments can sometimes prove to be difficult for those with limited financial means.
We’re here to share a number of financial resources available to you to make better hearing possible for you sooner rather than later. Make sure to ask us about insurance plans, corporate & tax benefits, and government programs that help those living in the Okanagan access the hearing healthcare they need.
Don’t let limited financial means block you from better hearing and a better life. Come in and speak with us today about the various options available to you.
Now, the exciting part! What’s your style?
Thankfully, the stigma of wearing hearing aids is slowly disappearing. They are, dare we say, cool now?
Whether you are looking for an “earbud” look, or something a little more discreet, we can match your style.
People of all ages and stages have hearing loss. Usually, it comes with a little bit of embarrassment that we all want to hide. But why? Do people hide their glasses? No. They pick frames that match their style.
Let us help you match your style with your performance so you can live a more connected and joyful life that helps you be more of your awesome self without the fear of being held back by your hearing.
We have the power to fit your unique style.
As an independently owned hearing clinic, we have the freedom to choose the hearing aid model that works best for you and your lifestyle and budget. There are several excellent hearing aid manufacturers. This allows us to fit each individual with the most suitable hearing aids, even if you have an uncommon hearing loss. As described above, we will help you choose the best hearing aid for you, your lifestyle and what can comfortably fit into your budget. Our team of audiologists prides itself in continuing education on all new technologies on the market and not just from one brand.
There are two main styles of hearing aids. The first is a behind the ear style where there is a small piece sitting on top/behind your ear and a little wire going into the ear canal. The second is when the entire hearing aid sits inside your ear canal. Both styles are discreet and have pros and cons.
Factors that you may want to ask the audiologist about:
Now you get to try them out!
Complimentary Hearing Aid Trial Period
We offer hearing aid trials of various manufacturers and technologies so you can hear the difference in your everyday listening environments. Typically, you will be provided the opportunity to trial the hearing aids for two weeks, and there is no charge for this service. This experience allows you to see for yourself the difference a hearing aid can make in your quality of life.
Hearing aid trials are available to anyone and are complimentary to individuals who have completed diagnostic testing at our clinic.
Your Hearing Aids are Fit Specifically To Your Prescription
Our Audiologists have Master’s degrees or clinical doctorate degrees with extensive training in hearing, hearing aids, and hearing care.
We follow best practices and real-ear verification measures to ensure your hearing aids are matched to your specific hearing targets.
Experience even MORE with Hearing Aid Accessories.
There are many additional wireless accessories to help you gain further benefit from your devices:
TV Streamers
Do you want to listen to your TV directly through your devices at your own volume while your family members watch with a completely different volume?
Streamline Mic
Do you want to hear your cell phone, home phone, computer, tablet, or iPad through both ears—for better clarity, volume, and understanding? Many devices can stream directly to your hearing aids without the need for accessories. However, for certain situations like noisy environments or non-Bluetooth devices, a partner microphone—like the StreamLine Mic—can make all the difference by bringing voices closer and clearer.
Conference Mic
Do you attend meetings or restaurants and have a hard time hearing at the other end of the table? A conference mic may help.
Remote Table Mic
Do you have difficulty hearing clearly at lectures and when you are at a distance from the speaker? A remote mic can help!
Telecoil
Do you attend concerts or plays and want to hear the speaker and not the background noise of an audience? You can loop into the telecoil sound system!
Hearing Aid Care and Follow Up
At Lakeside Hearing, we’re here for the long haul. If you purchased your hearing aids through our clinic, you’re welcome to come in for complimentary follow-ups for as long as you own them. Whether it’s a quick cleaning, replacement tools, or a fine-tuning of sound, we invite you to book an appointment and let us support you.
We also offer annual hearing assessments at no extra cost. Unlike glasses, hearing aids can often be reprogrammed if your hearing changes. Your audiologist will adjust them to match your current hearing needs, helping you stay connected and supported year after year.
These ongoing services are all part of ensuring your hearing aids continue working at their best—for as long as you need them.
