Good News Stories, January 2016
Welcome to our Good News Stories for January 2016. (Names have been changed out of respect for client privacy).
Good News Stories are a new feature at hearingaidsource.ca in 2016, sharing the joys of serving you, Hearing Aid Source clients from Toronto and beyond. Thank you for making our workaday lives beautiful!
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“This man is excellent. Responsible.” These are the words shared with me as a new client, Michael, and his adult son were heading out the door. “I’ve been to many of these appointments, and nobody has told me the things he has told me, or warned me of the dangers of having more hearing loss in one ear than another ear.”
Asymmetrical hearing loss can be a symptom of stroke, noise induced hearing loss, ruptured ear drum, or even a tumor.
“They all just wanted to sell me hearing aids. Thanks to Edmond, now I know what to tell my family doctor. If it turns out I need hearing aids, I’ll definitely be back!”
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“That man is an angel.” So said 90 year old Ellen after her meeting with Edmond. “It’s so great to be able to have a conversation again.”
“Yes,” agreed her daughter. “Rather than having to write everything down and pass notes to you.”
Several days earlier, we’d received a call about Ellen from one of the most highly reputed clinics in the GTA. Although Ellen had purchased her hearing aids from our clinic, her nursing home had called another clinic, with whom they are affiliated, to address some recent difficulties she’d been having with her hearing.
The clinic called us to warn us that we may receive a call from Ellen’s family, asking for us to retest her hearing or to look at her hearing aids. However, we were told, our help was not required. “Ellen’s hearing has suddenly and dramatically deteriorated, which is suggestive of having had a stroke. Her sudden inability to comprehend could also suggest cognitive processing issues – her brain may simply not be understanding words. Perhaps she is suffering from dementia.” These were serious and scary possibilities.
The visiting clinician had confirmed that Ellen had no wax or anything blocking her ears and that her hearing aids were “working fine”. Under the circumstances, they suggested to the nursing home that Ellen should see a doctor at once, and arrangements were made for her to be seen by both a physician and a psychiatrist.
A short time later, Ellen’s family did call our office to book an appointment. With all the facts in mind, we saw Ellen in our office.
“I had a sore in my ear and was using some drops,” she said. “Ever since then, I haven’t been able to hear.” Sure enough, her hearing aid microphones were completely blocked, having been gummed up by her eardrops. Of course she couldn’t hear. As soon as we properly cleaned her hearing aids, her face lit up.
To ensure Ellen was hearing her best, we performed a complementary updated hearing test. Ellen’s hearing had declined, gradually and slightly, as would be expected for someone her age. It had not “suddenly and dramatically deteriorated”, as had been reported days earlier. We made a slight adjustment to her current settings and she now hears even better than before.
“I’m so glad I came today.” She smiled. “Now my daughter and I can go out for a cup of tea and have a proper conversation.”
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Just another reason to choose Hearing Aid Source for all your hearing care needs.
Hearing Aid Source is not your average hearing clinic. There are many reasons why we’re better than the rest.
Call us at (416) 463-4327 or visit one of our GTA clinics. We’ll be happy to meet you.
