Earwax removal was delisted by OHIP in the fall of 2019. There is an out-of-pocket fee of $90 per session for earwax removal. The service can be completed by an audiologist, a hearing health care professional trained in earwax removal, hearing tests, hearing aid prescriptions, hearing aid fittings, and hearing loss prevention.
Services provided by an audiologist range in costs. A hearing test for patients under 50 is $75 at the clinic. A hearing test for patients over 50 is $50. Pediatric hearing tests (patients under 18) are charged $100 for a hearing test.
Ear wax removal services are $90. A general office visit is $45.
Hearing device prescriptions and dispenses are bundled with a service plan, meaning a patient who purchases hearing devices at the clinic is entitled to three years of office visits.
The clinic provides other services and products as well, including custom ear plugs, auditory processing disorder testing, hearing aid batteries, hearing aid cleaning sprays, products for itchy ears, and products to help dissolve ear wax. Prospective patients are encouraged to call the clinic for more information on pricing for these services and products.
An audiologist is not a medical doctor. Audiologists carry a masters and/or doctoral degree and are regulated health professionals governed by the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario. They are primary health care providers who focus on the prevention of hearing loss as well the identification, management and treatment of both hearing and balance problems. They are able to direct their career path in many different directions, including private practice, hospital work, education, research, and administration. They are also able to work with any age of the population to provide hearing solutions, including those with special needs.
Audiologists carry a masters and/or doctoral degree and are regulated health professionals governed by the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario. They are primary health care providers who focus on the prevention of hearing loss as well the identification, management and treatment of both hearing and balance problems. They are able to direct their career path in many different directions, including private practice, hospital work, education, research, and administration. They are also able to work with any age of the population to provide hearing solutions, including those with special needs.
Hearing instrument specialists are able to complete their education immediately after secondary school at a college offering the program. The program can be offered online as well. They are limited in scope to the adult population, and focus on hearing tests and dispensing hearing devices. While they are not regulated by any college, they are members of their association in Ontario. It is important to note that associations serve their members interests, while regulatory colleges serve and protect the public. This is why audiologists are not permitted to have testimonials on their website or at their clinic/centre.
When deciding on which clinic to begin your hearing health care journey, it is important to be aware of the differences between the two professionals and make an informed decision. Hopefully, the above information helps you select a clinic that provides a high degree of knowledge, patience, empathy, and service.
Partially. Through the Assistive Devices Program, patients receive $500 per ear towards hearing devices every 3-5 years. Our clinic will complete the paperwork required and submit to the Assistive Devices Program should the patient decide to pursue a hearing aid/device prescription. The paperwork is handled by the clinic and the $500 per ear does not need to be paid upfront. The first step is scheduling a hearing test at our centre and determining if hearing loss is present; our team can then discuss and provide solutions for hearing devices or treatment. We provide hearing devices and solutions suitable for all budgets and lifestyles. At certain times of the year, there are also offers from hearing aid manufacturers on the latest hearing device technology which the clinic is happy to pass on to our patients.
Experiencing hearing loss or a “ringing” sensation in your ears is the first sign of tinnitus. People who have been exposed to loud noises through their career or recreational activities (e.g, musicians, fire fighters, construction workers, aircraft mechanics), usually report occasional or constant tinnitus.
Tinnitus most often presents in patients over 60, although a person of any age can experience tinnitus. Tinnitus is most often correlated with hearing loss, but can also be caused by certain medications, stress, caffeine intake or smoking.
If you are experiencing tinnitus, please call the clinic today to make an appointment for a hearing test to determine if there is any hearing loss present. The audiologist will be able to discuss solutions, possible causes, and treatment options. Early detection of hearing loss and early intervention with a hearing device results in the best outcomes for preserving hearing and managing tinnitus.
A hearing test for patients under 50 is $75 at the clinic. A hearing test for patients over 50 is $50. Pediatric hearing tests (patients under 18) are charged $100 for a hearing test. The hearing test is comprehensive and includes a full investigation into the patient’s hearing and ear health.
Unfortunately, services provided at audiology clinics such as hearing tests and ear wax removal are not services covered by OHIP. However, most private insurance plans do cover audiology services and our clinic is happy to provide a detailed invoice to our patients to submit at the end of the appointment. It is worth making a call to your private insurance plans as prevention is key and scheduling regular hearing tests at our clinic is important for maintaining hearing health.
Earwax removal is not painful. If the earwax is properly softened, it can be removed easily and without pain for the patient. It is important to note in severe cases of blocked ears from earwax, some patients can experience minor discomfort during removal, though this is very rare.
To have the best possible experience with earwax removal, we always recommend softening the earwax at home with oil or softening agents, which can be purchased at the clinic. This will ensure a painless and easy experience with your hearing healthcare professional.
Earwax removal at Toronto Hearing Consultants costs $90 per session. The appointment is completed by an audiologist, a licensed and regulated professional in hearing health care. If you suspect a blocked ear from earwax, the best solution is to find an audiologist and schedule an appointment for the earwax to be removed. At Toronto Hearing Consultants, various methods are used by the professional, including irrigation, microsuction, instrumentation, and drops to successfully remove the earwax during the session.
Occasionally, someone will schedule an appointment and there will be no earwax present. If we find there is no earwax, a hearing test is usually recommended to further identify and assess what is causing the blocked sensation for the patient. All services are completed by a professional audiologist to ensure the best possible care is being provided to address the patient’s concerns.
The safest and best way to have earwax removed is through an audiologist. In addition to preventing, identifying, assessing, and treating hearing loss, audiologists are healthcare professionals trained extensively in the process of earwax removal.
If visiting an audiologist is not a possibility, earwax removal kits available at a pharmacy can also be purchased. Earwax removal kits contain softening agents which can help break down the earwax present. It is important to note that severely blocked ears from earwax will always need professional removal as over-the-counter methods will aid in softening the wax, but not result in full removal or relief from the blockage.
Earwax removal was delisted by OHIP in the fall of 2019. There is an out-of-pocket fee of $90 per session for earwax removal. The service can be completed by an audiologist, a hearing health care professional trained in earwax removal, hearing tests, hearing aid prescriptions, hearing aid fittings, and hearing loss prevention.
Absolutely! The clinic offers hearing aid trials and demonstrations for the patient to experience first hand the benefit of hearing aids. Hearing loss occurs gradually over time, and often, the patient is not aware and they adapt to hearing at lower levels and compensating through reading lip unconsciously. Sometimes, the only way for the patient to truly experience the sounds they have been missing is by trialing the hearing aids first in situations they find most challenging. In addition to the option to trial them before purchasing, hearing aids also come with a return period after purchase.
Severe losses usually require more powerful hearing aids. Traditionally, a behind-the-ear power hearing aid is prescribed with an earmold and tubing. With advancements in hearing aid technology, there are other hearing aid styles and technology levels that can fit severe hearing losses. Once the hearing test is complete, and the degree of hearing loss identified, the audiologist can discuss which hearing aid options are available.
The impact of not wearing a hearing aid can have severe consequences for the patient over time. Untreated hearing loss can lead to a reduction in speech discrimination (the ability to recognize and hear words) and the ability to process and filter sounds. Patients who experience success with hearing aids have good to excellent word discrimination scores on the hearing test; a good score tells us that with increased volume, the patient can hear the word and repeat it back. Over time, with untreated hearing loss, the word discrimination score decreases even when the patient is given more volume: words sound distorted and not clear. Once this happens, success with hearing aids is lower. The earlier the hearing loss is treated, the more success the patient will have with hearing aids.
Over the long term, untreated hearing loss can lead to auditory deprivation as well. The brain becomes deprived of sound for so many years and it becomes extremely challenging for the patient to adapt to hearing aids. It cannot be stressed enough that early intervention is essential with treating hearing loss and ensuring a successful outcome with hearing aids.
Unless there is hearing loss in only one ear, two hearing aids is always better than one. Two hearing aids offers advantages in localization (being able to locate where sounds are coming from), ensuring both ears stay active, and better understanding in harder listening environments. If there is hearing loss in both ears, hearing aids are recommended for both ears. Please read more about the benefits of two hearing aids.
The hearing aid selection stage is an integral part of the hearing aid fitting. Please read about our entire hearing aid fitting process. Hearing aid selection is the stage in the process where the physical and electroacoustic requirements of the hearing aid are identified. This is based on patients’ cosmetic preferences, dexterity issues, family input if they are involved in the care process. and most importantly: listening challenges and goals identified during the needs assessment of the hearing test appointment.
No two patients have a similar hearing journey, and at Toronto Hearing Consultants, we ensure a bespoke hearing aid fitting and will recommend the brand, model and technology level most suitable for the patient’s success. Together with the patient, we ensure the most appropriate hearing aid is chosen.
This is a question we receive a lot. Hearing aids are available from various manufacturers, and each manufacturer has a wide array of products available. The cost of the hearing aids themselves depends on the technology level or computer chip inside the hearing aid. For example, there are entry level hearing aids, mid-range hearing aids and premium level hearing aids.
Every manufacturer carries their own entry level, mid-level and premium level hearing aid, with slightly different price points. The cost increases as the technology level goes up; but, the functionality also improves. The decision on which level to proceed with is determined at the hearing aid consultation, where the audiologist discusses the needs and goals of the patient. A dispensing fee is added to the cost of the hearing aid, which covers the audiologist’s professional services and aftercare for the duration of the warranty of the hearing aid.
While hearing aids may seem expensive upfront, they are an investment into your health. Please refer to our medical conditions and hearing loss page to read more about the associations between untreated hearing loss and some medical conditions. It is important to note that hearing aids are not like glasses ,and each pair lasts around 5 years or longer. The cost of a hearing aid can be as low as a dollar a day.
Hearing aid manufacturers are constantly releasing new models of hearing aids, with improvements to the computer chip inside. Each manufacturer has divided their hearing aids into three different technology levels: entry level technology, mid-level technology, and premium level technology. The hearing that will best perform in challenging listening situations, such as restaurants and social gatherings, will always be the premium hearing aid as it has the fastest and most advanced digital chip.
Despite this, it is important to remember that every patient’s hearing loss profile and communication needs are unique, and every patient experiences a different journey with their hearing aids. As a result, the “best” hearing aid will differ from patient to patient. At the hearing test appointment, the audiologist will take a comprehensive case history and complete a thorough hearing test, and discuss which hearing aid will be best suited to treat the hearing loss. We are a fully independent clinic, meaning we are not associated with one manufacturer. We prescribe from all manufacturers of hearing aids and will select the best hearing aid for the patient’s unique hearing profile.
Hearing aids are broken down into several different styles. Please refer to our Traditional Hearing aids page, and Modern Hearing Aids page for a more detailed description of different hearing aid styles, and what they look like.
Essentially, there are 2 main cosmetic styles: hearing aids that go behind the ear, and hearing aids that go in the ear. During the hearing aid selection process with the audiologist, degree of hearing loss, lifestyle, cosmetic preferences, and manual dexterity are all taken into consideration in order to ensure the correct hearing aid is prescribed.
There is certainly a learning curve for your brain when hearing aids are fit. Hearing aids are not like glasses, and motivation and dedication from the patient is required in order to have a successful experience. Your brain needs to re-learn how to hear, and adapt to hearing sounds that have been missing for years. Early adoption of hearing aids, consistent daily usage of the hearing aids, and internal motivation are all critical to success on your hearing health care journey.
We are able to offer payment plans. Please inquire at your hearing assessment appointment.
Yes! We offer hearing aid trials and demonstrations. Trying out hearing aids or experiencing a demonstration during the consult can help you see the dramatic difference hearing aids can make on quality of life. We have different options for demos, which can all be discussed at the hearing assessment and consultation appointment.
Audiologists carry a masters and/or doctoral degree and are regulated health professionals governed by the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario. They are primary health care providers who focus on the prevention of hearing loss as well the identification, management and treatment of both hearing and balance problems. They are able to direct their career path in many different directions, including private practice, hospital work, education, research, and administration. They are also able to work with any age of the population, including those with special needs.
Hearing instrument specialists are able to complete their education immediately after secondary school at a college offering the program. The program can be offered online as well. They are limited in scope to the adult population, and focus on hearing testing and dispensing hearing aids. While they are not regulated by any college, they are members of their association in Ontario. It is important to note that associations serve their members interests, while regulatory colleges serve and protect the public. This is why audiologists are not permitted to have testimonials on their website or at their clinic.
When deciding on which clinic to begin your hearing health care journey, it is important to be aware of the differences between the two professionals and make an informed decision. Hopefully, the above information helps you select a clinic with a high degree of knowledge, patience, empathy, and service.
Of course we do! When you decide to start your hearing health care journey at Toronto Hearing Consultants, we provide all of the aftercare for the duration of the manufacturer warranty. This covers unlimited appointments for three years. We welcome our patients to come as much as they need for hearing aid cleaning appointments, hearing aid programming, hearing tests, or just to chat! Following the end of the warranty, we can discuss service plan options or pay per appointment options.
Hearing aids at Toronto Hearing Consultants come with a 3 year manufacturer warranty and a 2 year loss and damage warranty. If the hearing aid requires any repair at all, we will send it back to the manufacturer and they will repair it without any additional costs to you. The turnaround time for a repair is approximately 6 to 7 business days. The loss and damage warranty allows the patient to lose the hearing aid once per side in the first 2 years and have them replaced for a small deductible.
Absolutely! Warranties for hearing aids are provided by the manufacturer. Therefore, if the hearing aid was purchased from another clinic but you are dissatisfied with the service or sound quality, the manufacturer warranty still transfers. Hearing aids are only as good as the audiologist fitting and programming them. At Toronto Hearing Consultants, we pride ourselves on our extensive foundational and product knowledge, which always translates to a successful hearing aid fitting for the patient. The fine tuning and programming of hearing aids is the most critical piece of the fitting, and is a combination of both art and science!
Unlike several corporate hearing chains, we are not linked to a manufacturer. We recommend and dispense any manufacturer, and base the recommendation on our patients’ individual lifestyle, needs, hearing goals, and cosmetic preferences. By remaining independent, we do not compromise on quality of care, and are able to recommend the most suitable hearing aids for our patients.
Partially. Through the Assistive Devices Program, patients receive $500 per ear towards hearing aids every 3-5 years. Our clinic will complete the paperwork required and submit to the Assistive Devices Program should you decide to pursue a hearing aid prescription. The paperwork is handled for you and the $500 per ear does not need to be paid upfront.
Unfortunately, audiology services are not covered by OHIP. However, most private insurance plans do cover audiology services and we are happy to provide a detailed invoice for our patients to submit at the end of the appointment.
While many medical doctors do refer to us for hearing assessments, a patient can call and book without one. A referral is not required for any of the services provided at Toronto Hearing Consultants, but all reports can be faxed to the family physician if requested.
