Who does what ?
Hearing
Hearing instruments
Quebec medicare (RAMQ)
Insurances
Sales taxes

Who does what ?(top)

What is an audioprosthetist ?
In the Quebec medical system, an audioprosthetist is the professionnal responsible for correction of hearing deficiencies by the use of mecanical or electroacoustical devices. Hearing correction or hearing aid fitting includes the choice of a hearing instrument, the patient's adaptation to the hearing instrument, the efficiency measurement, and the delivery and training on the hearing instrument with the patient. The education involves human guidance and psychological support to the patient. The audioprosthetist assumes a continuous control on the efficiency of the hearing instrument.

What is an ENT doctor ?
Otolaryngology is the branch of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat, and head & neck disorders. The full name of the specialty is otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Practitioners are called otolaryngologists-head and neck surgeons, or sometimes otorhinolaryngologists (ORL). A commonly used term for this speciality, although somewhat out of favor, is ENT (ear, nose and throat).

What is an audiologist ?
An audiologist is a professional specializing in testing, monitoring, and diagnosing disorders of the auditory and vestibular system portions of the ear. Audiologists are trained to diagnose, manage and treat hearing or balance problems.

What will happen during the consultation with an audioprosthetist ?
We will identify your hearing problems by means of a complete hearing examination in order to quantify the improvements you could get from wearing hearing instruments. We will then discuss various options to determine which hearing instruments models could best fit your needs. When a fitting decision is reached, we will take an impression of your ear canals to order a custom-made hearing instrument for your ears.

Hearing(top)

I can hear but people around me are mumbling !
Hearing loss appears so progressively that its evolution can go unnoticed. The brain adapts itself to the new reality and prevents us from realizing that a problem exists. Go to the "Hearing Test" section to learn more.

I can hear but I don't understand !
Hearing loss often occurs in high frequencies that are necessary for a good understanding of speech. A hearing aid can compensate for that loss.

Hearing instruments(top)

Hearing instruments do not work. I know somebody who does not wear his (or hers).
The brain can take many months to adapt to hearing instruments. Keeping realistic expectations in regards to your hearing instruments is a guaranty for success. The ears listen but the brain understands. Wearing your hearing instruments regularly will help you adapt to the sound environment and improve your understanding of speech.

Will a hearing aid be effective for my hearing loss type ?
Many years ago people with particular hearing losses were told that nothing could be done to help them. Technological progress now permits us to help 95 % of patient suffering from hearing loss.

Will a hearing aid damage my hearing ?
A well adjusted and well maintained hearing aid will not damage your hearing.

I have been told that my hearing loss was not important enough to get two hearing instruments ?
We normally hear with both our ears. Binaural hearing enables sound localization, helps eliminate environment noises and provides a better sound quality. Most people with hearing loss in both ears will benefit from wearing two hearing instruments.

Are the "invisible" hearing instruments the best ones to get ?
Not necessarily, many models exist and all of them are technologically advanced. What is important is to get a hearing aid that fits both your hearing loss and your needs.

I have been told that I would save money by purchasing my hearing instruments on the internet or through mail order...
Be wary of hearing instruments offers on Internet or by mail order. By retaining the services of an audioprosthetist, you are sure of getting a suitable evaluation of your hearing loss, of obtaining the best fit and the proper instructions on your hearing aid as well as access to our after-sales service for maintenance and repair.

Quebec medicare (RAMQ)(top)

Am I eligible for a free hearing aid ?
Quebec medicare requires a hearing loss of at least 35dB to the three frequencies (500Hz, 1000Hz and 2000Hz). Come and see us for a free hearing test and find out if you are eligible.

I have been told that I am not eligible. So I cannot have a hearing aid ?
Even if you do not qualify for a medicare hearing aid, your hearing loss can challenge your daily life (understanding problems in groups, television volume too loud). You have the right to improve your life with a hearing aid. We will be happy to help you.

People say that the hearing instruments paid by medicare are not as good, is it true ?
Even if the hearing instruments covered by Quebec medicare are of good quality, they are basic digital models. They are technologically less advanced than the more recent models. The contracts granted to the hearing instruments manufacturers for the Quebec medicare program are of a long duration in comparison with the technological innovations which are very fast in the field of the hearing instruments. For example the cic and open-fit models are not available by this program.

What does medicare cover exactly ?
The Quebec medicare program covers the cost of one or two basic digital hearing aid according to the patient's situation. It is necessary to meet minimal criteria of hearing loss (35dB in both ears)..

Which documents are required ?
In order to benefit from the Quebec medicare program, a patient must have a complete audiologic evaluation carried out by an audiologist during the previous year. He must also have a medical certificate from an ENT doctor documenting the need for wearing an hearing aid.

Insurances(top)

Will my employer health insurance cover my hearing instruments ?
Verify with the insurance company. Many insurance programs cover at least in part the cost of hearing instruments. Keep your invoices, the portion not covered by your group insurance can be included in the deduction for medical expenses in your income tax declaration.

Sales taxes(top)

will I pay GST and PST on my hearing instruments?
No, all the products and services sold by an audioprosthetist are free of the two sales taxes in Québec.