National Campaign for Better Hearing promotes free hearing tests in Waterloo Region

If you’re concerned about your overall physical health, chances are you’ve gone for a routine check-up at your family doctor or received a dental or eye exam– but have you ever had the health of your hearing checked?

The National Campaign for Better Hearing is encouraging Canadians to go out and get a hearing test– as hearing impairments and conditions often go misdiagnosed or untreated.

Jillian Price is Chief Audiologist with ListenUP! Canada and says the National Campaign is currently promoting free hearing tests in Waterloo Region.

“The National Campaign for Better Hearing offers free hearing tests at over 200 clinics– including multiple in Waterloo Region– and for every test, we donate $4.00 towards a fund that provides hearing aids to those who cannot afford them.”

Price says everyone in Waterloo Region is encouraged to have their hearing tested for free, to ensure they are proactively managing their hearing and to identify any issues.

“Statistics Canada released a report recently that stated that 70 per cent of individuals who were diagnosed with hearing loss had no idea that they even had a problem– so that’s a huge number of people who are walking around not realizing that they have hearing loss, which leads to individuals that should be receiving treatment but aren’t. Through this campaign we really focus on advocating for baseline hearing tests, we want everyone to make it part of their wellness protocol and to put that on the list of things that they should check regularly.”

Price adds that hearing loss is one of the most prevalent health issues facing older Canadians and a major cause of disability – with nearly one in five reporting some form of hearing loss.

“This number may be even larger as many patients are not properly diagnosed and treated. What can happen is people can be misdiagnosed with dementia or cognitive function issues, but really hearing loss is the major factor in that individual. We recommend that all age groups get a baseline hearing test. It’s really about early identification and monitoring something once it is identified– and maintaining your overall health.”

Price adds that this year alone, over 60 individuals in Canada have received a free hearing aid through this National Campaign.

“This year, we’re trying to raise $250,000 through the campaign and with just a couple weeks left– we’re a few thousand dollars short of our goal. We encourage everyone to come in and get that free baseline test and we will donate on your behalf to help others in the Christmas spirit.”

To find a local hearing clinic that is participating in the National Campaign for Better Hearing by offering free hearing tests, you can click here. 

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today