Hearing loss can challenge entire families. Not only does the person with the disability experience an assortment of difficulties, but those around them must also learn new ways of getting their point across. It’s for this reason that hearing loss is considered a “shared disability.”

Many people dislike the automated hand dryers found in public washrooms. They don’t seem to dry your hands very well and they’re often uncomfortably loud. In fact, did you know they produce sounds that could potentially be harmful to your ears?

Before your appointment at our Calgary hearing aid and audiology clinic, you may wonder what type of hearing aid best suits your needs. While your hearing aid will be chosen and customized to suit your needs, there are a few broad categories of hearing aids to consider. If you’re curious about hearing solutions in Calgary, read on to find out about your options.

Did you know that untreated hearing loss can increase your risk for developing cognitive issues, dementia and depression? Or that those with a hearing impairment are more likely to have a fall? Indeed, scientists have observed that treating hearing loss, can reverse or even prevent some conditions. Here’s what you should know the relationship between hearing and your overall health.

Modern technology has changed the way kids learn. Apps made for smartphones and tablets offer useful resources for children in a variety of special situations. If you’re the parent of a hard-of-hearing child, it’s important you give them the best tools to help them develop their communication skills. These are the best apps for children with hearing difficulties. All of them are available for iOS and Android devices.

Did you know that those who work at nightclubs, concert halls and bars are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss? Many patients who visit our clinic work in the service industry. Most of us think of hearing loss as related to construction or manufacturing jobs involving large machinery, but noise in nightclubs and bars can often exceed 90 decibels. Noise-related hearing loss can begin due to extended exposure to levels of 85dBA or more.

Every year, Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC) dedicates the month of May to Speech and Hearing Month, an event aimed at raising public awareness about the importance of early detection and intervention for people with hearing and communication disorders.

People all over Calgary suffer from hearing loss. If you’re one of them, you may have a hard time communicating with others.

While having a hearing impairment makes communicating with others difficult, it’s not the only reason you’re not listening. 

Did you know that 10% of Canadians live with hearing loss, but that only one in six of them are treating their impairment with hearing aids?

When thinking about global health challenges, hearing loss doesn’t always come to mind.

Hearing loss in children is of particular concern today, owing to the widespread use of personal audio devices.

A gunshot at close range has a volume of 165 dB. This is loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage to unprotected ears.

Did you know that losing your hearing takes a toll on your brain?

If you live in and around Calgary, you’re no stranger to cold weather. But did you know that the cold can affect your hearing?

Hearing loss can be an isolating experience, but with today’s hearing aids, you can stay more connected to the world around you than ever before.

Now that the kids are back in school, it’s important to make sure that they’re getting the support they need to succeed.

Many hearing-impaired people are reluctant to talk about their experiences or admit they need hearing aids because they don’t want to draw attention to their condition.

A decibel is a unit of measure that compares two power levels, most often used when talking about sound intensity.

Gone are the days when you needed another device to stream music from your phone while wearing your hearing aids.

Starkey has created a revolution in hearing technology with the launch of its newest hearing aid, Livio AI, the first listening device with artificial intelligence (AI) and integrated sensors.

If you’re like most people, you probably spend a lot of time wearing earbuds: at the gym, at work, on the bus, and so on. Ever wonder whether earbuds are safe to use? Here’s what you need to know.

Many people are afraid that a hearing aid will be bulky or noticeable, but the reality is that modern hearing aids are tiny.

Remember “the dress?” Some people saw it as black and blue, while others were convinced it was white and gold.

Have you heard stories about earwax causing hearing loss? In truth, earwax buildup is the most common cause of what’s known as conductive hearing loss, which is when a physical barrier stops sounds from reaching the eardrum.

June is Men’s Health Month, which aims to raise awareness of preventable health conditions in men. You might be surprised to learn that more men suffer from hearing loss than women.

We’ve all had to deal with people in our lives that are just a little bit too loud—all the time. It’s important to protect your hearing and keep any irreversible damage from happening.

Every year, Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) works to raise public awareness for people with diminished communication health.

Protecting your ears from deafening sounds of everyday life is important.

While it might not affect everyone, experiencing ear pain during the final approach of your flight is extremely common.

If you need hearing aids or hearing tests, we at the Soundwave Hearing Care clinic in the Calgary and Grand Prairie area are here to help.

Are you experiencing hearing loss but haven’t yet gotten any tests or looked into hearing aids?

At Soundwave Hearing Care, we offer audiologist services and hearing aids to everyone in the Calgary community. 

Many people believe that hearing loss is simply a natural part of aging – and assume that nothing need be done about it. 

At Soundwave Hearing Care we’re always trying to think of ways to help our patients cope with hearing loss by finding strategies to communicate more effectively.

The New Year is a time to celebrate what we’ve accomplished in the year behind us. It’s also an opportunity, however, to set goals for the year ahead of us.

As technology becomes more wireless and integrated, the hearing aid is becoming a more and more important part of people’s lives. These days, hearing aids aren’t just about amplifying the sound around you.

Only 20% of individuals with hearing loss choose to correct it, meaning 80% of hearing loss-sufferers are missing out on conversations.

Do social gatherings make you uncomfortable because you have a difficult time discerning what people are saying? If so, you might have some degree of hearing loss, either in one or both ears.

Whether you’re a snowbird heading south for the season or simply looking for a brief winter getaway, if you’re new to wearing hearing aids, you may wonder what special considerations you need to take when you travel. 

Maintaining the health of your hearing is important. Those affected by hearing loss often believe that once it starts, there’s nothing anybody can do about it.

Do you and your employees work in a noise-rich environment? Are your students blasting loud music directly into their ears for hours on end in the classroom?

Hearing loss is a significant problem that often goes overlooked. Whether you’re young or old, it’s important to exercise caution when spending time in places or taking part in activities that could result in the development of tinnitus. 

When you work in an industry that exposes you to excessive noise levels, wearing equipment that protects your hearing is crucial. 

Losing even a small percentage of your hearing capability can be challenging. Most of us take the capacity to hear for granted. 

There’s a lot to be said about having a happy new year, like making our to-do lists and resolutions - if you’re concerned about your hearing or feel that you do not hear properly - a hearing test should be on both.

With an aging populations and increased concerns about Alzheimer’s and dementia, memory and cognitive function – our brains ability to work and acquire information – is increasingly making headline news.

There’s little doubt that technology has changed contemporary life for many people. For those individuals, from children to adults and seniors who suffer hearing loss, today’s hearing aids have come a long way from the 17th century “Ear Trumpets."

With an aging populations and increased concerns about Alzheimer’s and dementia, memory and cognitive function — our brain’s ability to work and acquire information – is increasingly making headline news. 

There’s a lot to be said about having a happy New Year, like making our to-do lists and resolutions. If you’re concerned about your hearing or feel that you do not hear properly, a hearing test should be on both.

There’s little doubt that technology has changed contemporary life for many people. For those individuals, from children to adults and seniors who suffer hearing loss, today’s hearing aids have come a long way from the 17th century where “Ear Trumpets” – tubular or funnel-shaped devices which collect sound waves and lead them into the ear – were used for strengthening the sound energy impact on the eardrum and thus providing better hearing for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals.

Mental health is a serious issue that affects Canadians from all areas and of all ages. Whether you or someone you know needs help, it is important to explore all possibilities for a more balanced and joyful life.

According to The Hearing Foundation of Canada, one in five teens between the ages of 12 and 19 suffers from hearing loss. In most cases, it is noise-induced, which can be prevented. It’s important to speak with your teen to help them understand the serious risks involved with listening to loud music, as hearing damage is permanent and can affect their quality of life.

From the office to the gym, many people listen to music and take calls using their headphones. Whether you use the ones that came with your device or have purchased noise-cancelling headphones, you may have heard that these handy gadgets can actually do harm to your hearing in the long run. This is true, but there’s no need to throw out all your ear buds! Read below to find out how you can still enjoy your music without disturbing others and without suffering from accelerated hearing loss. If you have more questions about your hearing health, contact your audiologist in Calgary to get answers.

You may do it as part of your routine or just whenever you want to feel more ‘clean.’ No matter the frequency, if you have been putting Q-tips® in your ears, it is time to stop! While it may have become a habit, it can actually do more harm than good. Learn more about your ear health by reading the tips below or contact your audiologist in Calgary for more information. You can also schedule your hearing test today to get an overall assessment of your hearing.

Does Your Alzheimer’s Afflicted Loved One Need a Hearing Aid?
Several studies have reported a direct link between older adults who suffer from hearing loss and Alzheimer's disease. As hearing loss worsens, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia increases, particularly amongst those with a hearing impairment greater than 25 decibels. Chances of developing dementia are doubled for those who have mild hearing loss; tripled for those with moderate hearing loss; and quadrupled for those with severe hearing loss.

Regardless of your age, untreated hearing loss can take its toll, it tends to come on so gradually that it tricks you into obliviousness and robs you of more than you realize, sooner than you realize. Hearing loss is the fastest growing, and one of the most prevalent, chronic conditions facing Canadians today. 

According to Statistics Canada, more than one million adults across the country reported having a hearing-related disability (StatsCan, 2002). A study for WorkSafe BC found that 25 percent of young people entering the workforce had the early warning signs of hearing loss (WorkSafe BC, 2005), illustrating that hearing loss is affecting people at younger and younger ages. Fortunately, hearing test are readily available at Soundwave Hearing Care.

Health care in Canada is changing as researchers increasingly understand that men and women have different health needs, along with the well known gender specific issues that are undergoing review to weed out past biases.

Our world continues to change for the positive as we learn to celebrate out differences rather than remain victims of locker room bullying and public shaming over a host of personal attributes, including hearing loss. Today hearing aides are compact with advanced services like wireless media streaming.

For over 50 years, rock concerts have developed and grown into the extravaganzas they are today.

Noise-induced hearing loss isn't limited to industrial workers who spend a lot of time in excessively loud environments.

A child with auditory processing disorder (APD) does not have the same auditory processing skills as a normal child.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a condition that affects how speech is heard and understood.

Today’s hearing aids are revolutionary and can help improve your hearing and quality of life.

Experiencing a ringing in your ears? Tinnitus treatment can help manage this disorder. Buzzing or ringing in the ears is a symptom of Tinnitus, a fairly common condition that affects 10 to 15% of people.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a professional, a busy grandparent or a typical Calgary teenager; any kind of hearing loss takes a lot of energy to manage every day.