Most Canadians are unaware they have hearing health issues
Donna Solomon’s hearing loss was so gradual that she didn’t know it was a problem until her daughter mentioned it to her.
“With your hearing, you typically don’t know that it’s getting worse until someone points it out to you,” she explains. “You get into your own little world, even though I had noticed that I didn’t hear as well during telephone conversations and my TV was set a little louder. But I live by myself, and the possibility of hearing loss really didn’t click in until my daughter came to live with me while her home was being renovated.
“She said I really should get my ears checked because I wasn’t hearing her clearly when she spoke to me,” adds Donna. “The TV wasn’t set too low, and she wasn’t speaking to me too softly — I was suffering from hearing loss, which I hadn’t completely realized.” Donna Solomon isn’t alone. According to Statistics Canada, 60 per cent of Canadians between the ages of 20 and 79 have hearing health challenges (hearing loss and/or tinnitus), which also makes it one of the fastest growing health issues in Canada, according to a 2016 Canadian Health Measures Survey.
Like Donna, about 50 per cent of Canadians between the ages of 40 and 79 didn’t even know they had a problem until they had a hearing test, according to Statistics Canada.
During her investigations into her hearing loss, Donna learned about a study by the John Hopkins University School of Medicine and the U.S. National Institute on Aging that concluded that those suffering from hearing loss were five times more likely to contract dementia because of a lack of auditory brain stimulation. This further convinced her that she needed to address her hearing health as soon as possible.
On her son’s recommendation, Donna visited Bluebird Hearing at the Cambridge Centre shortly after it opened in the fall of 2023 and received a free comprehensive hearing test, where it was determined she needed a hearing aid. Open seven days a week and offering free hearing tests, Bluebird is a full-service clinic where experienced, highly trained staff provide clients with a complete range of related services, including comprehensive hearing evaluations, hearing aid solutions and earwax removal. “Bluebird clients are the centre of our universe, so ensuring they get the products, services and support they need is our reason for being as an organization,” says Bluebird Hearing clinician Natalie Kanji.
Bluebird sells and services the latest and most complete range of hearing technology, affording its clients solutions that most closely align with their lifestyles. The company backs its products with a 90-day trial period to ensure clients are fitted with a solution that works best for the long term.
“I required a hearing aid by the time I turned 28, so this industry has been near and dear to my heart for more than 20 years,” explains Bill Blair, who manages Bluebird Hearing in Cambridge. “Being able to help people who, like myself, suffer from hearing loss is important to me.” Bill says Donna was very open to taking all the steps necessary to improve her hearing.
“It’s been really nice to help Donna along this journey, like teaching her how the hearing aid device functions and so forth,” he explains. “Donna is really enjoying her hearing devices. She was suffering from pretty significant hearing loss, but as a result of the Bluebird solution her hearing has significantly improved. She is much happier, as she can be more interactive in daily conversation, for example. Every time we get together, she always has a smile on her face. She is happy with what she is now able to hear.” “Getting my hearing tested and evaluated was well worth it, because the hearing aid solution developed by Bluebird has made a world of difference to my life,” Donna explains. “I can now hear people clearly and be more engaging with them in conversation.
“When you have hearing loss, you don’t know what you haven’t heard until you can hear again and are engaged again in the environment around you,” she adds. “I am now more in the present — aware of my surroundings and hearing things that I didn’t hear before. I feel a lot safer when I’m out walking my dog, because I can hear people walking on sidewalks, or riding their bikes on a trail, or driving on the street when they approach me from behind. I can now register what is happening around me and act accordingly.” Donna’s son and daughter have noticed a big difference in their conversations and other interactions with her. “Everybody should get their hearing checked,” says Donna. “You get accustomed to how you hear or how you think you should hear. Rather than accept what you think is the norm, take the opportunity to get your hearing checked, because you just might be able to hear a lot better.”
To ensure her hearing is maintained to an optimal level, Bluebird books Donna in with their hearing clinician for regular checkups.
“Any time I need something related to my hearing, Bluebird is so accommodating — they are always there for me; they are always there to help me.” She adds, “I can’t say enough good things about the company’s service.”