Lobe Magazine - volume 15, number 1, 2022 (EN)

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Volume 15, number 1, 2022

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The Benefits of Music (For Tinnitus)

Proud Quebec Company For 20 years!

The Importance of a Reprieve from Noise Before a Hearing Assessment Wearing Hearing Aids Every Day

INTERVIEW

Guylaine

Marie-Josée Taillefer’s Column

The Brave Little Voice

Tanguay Sweet to our Ears

Breaking Isolation for the Past

20 Years

Hearing is an invaluable sense that plays an essential role in communication and human relationships. Listening, understanding, and expressing oneself may seem like simple actions, yet they perform several crucial psychological and social functions. So, it’s not surprising that even partial hearing loss can significantly impact psychological health.

Fortunately, over the past 20 years, clinical knowledge and advanced technologies in hearing health have evolved tremendously. There is now a wide range of proven methods to detect, treat, and effectively compensate for hearing loss. The success of these methods relies on screening and early treatment. The earlier a patient is diagnosed and treated, the greater the benefits to their overall health, well-being, and life quality. The situation is a bit more complex.

Head office & Lebourgneuf Clinic

In Canada, an estimated 35% of adults between the ages of 20 and 79 have mild to severe hearing loss. Only 4% report hearing loss, and those who wait an average of seven years before seeking help1. Most hearing loss develops gradually due to age, or as a result of frequent exposure to oft-underestimated everyday noises. Unfortunately, these figures illustrate some key issues. Lack of information, stigma, and fear are the primary obstacles that can lead a person with a hearing impairment to isolate themselves.

It has now been 20 years since Lobe set itself the goal of tackling those obstacles. It’s raising awareness and providing information, defending the rights and interests of people with hearing loss, or expanding access to treatment and counselling. Lobe is committed to reducing the stigma associated with hearing loss.

Reference: 1. Statistics Canada. Unperceived hearing loss among Canadians aged 40 to 79.

Online. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2019008/ article/00002-eng.htm. Accessed February 7, 2020.

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Notre-Dame-des-Prairies Clinic

Lobe has built a network of experienced professionals around its patients’ thanks to its multidisciplinary approach.

Today, we can count on a team of several hundred caring people in nearly 60 clinics throughout Quebec to offer truly essential services in hearing health. Our mission has driven us since the opening of our very first clinics in Sainte-Marie and Saint-Georges de Beauce.

For the next decade, Lobe is committed to the following values, which form the acronym CONNECT:

Châteauguay Clinic

These values guide the work of our teams daily. We embody them in our relationships with others and our ties to the community.

To all those who have worked or are still working, one way or another, to raise awareness about hearing health, thank you. There is still a long way to go, but there is much to be proud of. The future looks bright! Together, we can break the isolation caused by hearing loss.

Happy reading!

ommitment

Martin Cousineau President and CEO of Lobe clinics

ptimism etworking ovelty xactitude reativity enacity

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Breaking Isolation Through Hearing Health Awareness My personal and professional experiences have taught me the essential role of awareness in hearing health. By normalizing hearing problems, we act on several fronts to prevent the consequences of untreated hearing loss on the physical and psychosocial health of those affected.

Hearing loss can occur gradually or suddenly and can be temporary or permanent. In all cases, it can affect a person’s quality of life and those around them if left untreated.

Relational impacts include communication problems with family members and withdrawal from social and professional activities, leading to isolation for people with hearing loss.

Fear of misunderstanding may also make a person reluctant to participate in certain activities. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent a person with hearing loss from becoming isolated.

There are several reasons why hearing loss, especially partial hearing loss—also known as hypoacusis—takes a long time to be treated. Due to its insidious nature, it may go unnoticed as the affected person and their family adapt to its gradual progression. Similarly, the stigma associated with deafness impacts the amount of time people take to see a hearing health professional. It can also trigger negative emotions, such as embarrassment, minimization or denial of one’s condition, and an increasingly negative self-image. Which I don’t think should be the case in 2022.

A common denominator to these situations is a lack of knowledge about hearing health.

There is where awareness comes in. By staying informed and updating our knowledge on the subject, we can help correct misperceptions and encourage greater collective vigilance.

Hearing problems are a part of life and are much more common than we think. According to the World Health Organization, 430 million people worldwide need professional services because of hearing loss1. In Canada, 35% of people have some form of hearing loss2. Being better informed about the issue and learning to recognize the warning signs (difficulty understanding speech in the presence of other noises, listening to the television at high volume, inability to detect certain sounds, etc.) are giant steps in preventing hearing loss and the consequences it can have on relationships.

As the Lobe clinics and hearing health ambassador for four years now, I have been honoured to lend my voice to this cause that is so dear to me. Our top priority is spreading knowledge and changing perceptions and habits around hearing loss. It is the best way to prevent or break the cycle of isolation caused by hearing loss.

Marie-Josée Taillefer Ambassador of Lobe clinics and of hearing health

References: 1. Surdité et déficience auditive. (s. d.). WHO | World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/fr/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss 2. Ramage-Morin, P., Banks, R., Pineault, D., & Atrach, M. (2019, 21 août). Rapports sur la santé Perte auditive non perçue chez les Canadiens de 40 à 79 ans. Statistique Canada : Organisme statistique national du Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/ pub/82-003-x/2019008/article/00002-fra.htm

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Table of Contents 02

Breaking Isolation for the Past 20 Years A Word from the President

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Breaking Isolation Through Hearing Health Awareness

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Sweet to our Ears Interview with Guylaine Tanguay

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The Brave Little Voice Marie-Josée Taillefer’s Column

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Enjoy the Show!

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Tips for Reducing Auditory Fatigue

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Wearing Hearing Aids Every Day

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The Importance of a Reprieve from Noise Before a Hearing Assessment

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The Benefits of Music

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Your Invisible Co-Pilot

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Quantity and Quality are Both Important!

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The Importance of Decompression

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The Impact of Hearing Loss on your Mental Health

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Receptionist: A Profession with Heart

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Hearing Loss, Cognitive and Psychosocial Health

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A Noteworthy Involvement

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It’s Time to Reconnect!

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Preventing Social Isolation by Boosting Self-Esteem

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Isolation or Loneliness?

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What’s New in the Lobe Clinics?

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Addresses of the Lobe Clinics

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 1, 2022 Editor Marie-Andrée Gagné Graphic designer Roxanne Blondeau Printing house Imprimerie Solisco inc.

Rights and responsibilities Any translation, reproduction or adaptation of texts, illustrations and photos in this work, for any reason whatsoever, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission from the editor.

The opinions expressed in articles published

by Publications Lobe are the responsibility of the author.

Legal deposit ISSN 1913-0287 Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, Montréal Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa Publications Lobe 725, boulevard Lebourgneuf, suite 303 Québec (Québec) G2J 0C4 Tel.: 418 877-7222 Fax: 581 814-6260 Email: courrier@lobe.ca lobe.ca Printed in Canada All trademarks are the property of Lobe Santé auditive inc./Bulletin produced

by Publications Lobe.

The typographical recommendations for visually-impaired persons from Institut de réadaptation en déficience physique de Québec have been taken into consideration during the production of this magazine.

Did You Know ?

In 2018, the So the World May Hear foundation set the Guinness World Record for the most people fitted with hearing aids in 8 hours. An impressive total of 4,840 Indian men and women between the ages of 5 and 85 received hearing aids fitted to their needs.

References: -

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Starkey hearing foundation india sets guinness world record. (2018, 26 octobre). Starkey Hearing Foundation. https://www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org/Blog/2018/10/Starkey-Hearing-Foundation-India-Sets-GuinnessWorld-Record?categoryTerm=Hearing%20Missions&date=&pageSize=9 Most people fitted with hearing aids in 8 hours. (s. d.). Guinness World Records. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/ world-records/412454-most-people-fitted-with-hearing-aids-in-8-hours

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Her Hearing Health

INTERVIEW

Guylaine Tanguay Sweet to our Ears

I’ve known that I have a very acute hearing for a long time; I often hear little sounds that others don’t. That makes me very sensitive to loud sounds. It’s why I love silence. It’s often silent when I’m at home or driving my car. I don’t need to fill the silence.

Besides, I think I’ve been living with tinnitus for several years now! I’ve always had whistling in my ears after a show. I thought the loud music caused it and being so close to the speakers. When we stopped doing shows during the lockdown, I realized the whistling was still there, even when it was quiet.

When I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I didn’t think that the disease could affect my hearing.

However, one time, I had a big pain attack the day before a show, and I went on stage anyway. That’s when I realized that the disease had changed my hearing. I had trouble hearing myself sing, even though I had the same sound equipment.

It was like singing with my hand in front of my mouth. Now I notice that my tinnitus seems loud when I have an attack, and I become hypersensitive to all the sounds around me.

Guylaine Tanguay is a sensitive, generous, and thoughtful soul who agreed to an interview with us for our winter

Breaking the Isolation Caused by Hearing Loss

issue. And no sooner had the discussion begun than she

My grandmother went deaf after an operation to treat Meniere’s disease. So my aunts found a way to communicate with her. They bought her a fax machine that sat next to the chair she always embroidered. So when she saw a fax printing, she could read the note without having to talk on the phone.

had already answered several questions! She has so much to talk about that she published a biography in 2018 and wrote her very first songs in 2020. Even so, this great storyteller had a few secrets left to share.

PHOTOS: KARINE LÉVESQUE

Her Favourite Auditory Memory My grandmother would always whistle, hum, or sing while doing her chores. That’s genuinely a treasured sound memory for me. She had 13 children and worked non-stop. She taught me that even if life is hard when you keep a smile on your face, anything is possible!

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“When we talked to our grandparents, my cousins and I always leaned right in and spoke loudly. In our minds, it was normal because they were grandparents. We didn’t say they were hard of hearing; we said they were elderly. For us, it had nothing to do with a hearing problem!”

Music and Meetings In my opinion, our role as singers is to do good. We give our time, voices, and even souls when we sing. We aren’t changing the world or saving lives. But we can be there for people who are alone or suffering, those who come seeking comfort from our songs. I am so fortunate that my fame allows me to support so many people simultaneously.

A large part of my life is spent making music, but the other part is meeting new people. And no matter whom I meet, I always try to make sure that our conversations are meaningful. That’s why I prioritize listening when I interact with people. Checking in with the person you’re talking to, smiling, and using a gentle voice may be small actions, but they make the other person feel important.

Her Plans for 2022 This year, I’m back hosting the third season of Tout simplement country, first on ICI ARTV and then on ICI Radio-Canada.

I’m also releasing a new album, and I have a tour planned.

Thank you, Guylaine, for this truly inspiring discussion!

Marie-Andrée Gagné

PHOTO: MELANY BERNIER

Editor

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Column | Marie-Josée Taillefer

The Brave Little Voice

Putting an End to Isolating Reflexes Practising Self-Care Knowing the early signs of hearing loss and how it can affect our quality of life can make us better equipped to prevent the isolation it causes. The first step of self-care is listening to our needs.

Getting our Hearing Checked

Hearing loss can have a range of impacts on ourself or someone we know. My goal is to educate the entire population on the importance of good hearing health; identifying the consequences of hearing loss is part of that. One of the most harmful consequences of untreated hearing loss is social isolation.

What Leads People to Isolate Themselves?

People with hearing loss can experience isolation as a result of many actions taken to avoid potentially difficult listening situations. Fear of misunderstanding can make them reluctant to participate in many different social activities, such as: ª

Bowling

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Playing cards

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Going to concerts or comedy shows

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Getting a coffee with friends

However, if we have hearing loss, there are many ways for us to return to activities we have been avoiding.

If we have any doubts about the quality of our hearing, a hearing health consultation with a professional will help us get all the facts and understand the next steps to guide us to manage our hearing health.

Expressing our Needs To make our life easier, it’s best if our loved ones work with us. But for that to happen, we need to start by talking about our struggles. By doing so, the people we see every day can take the necessary actions to help us stay active.

Through the teaching of listening and communication strategies, our loved ones can gain insight into our needs and become allies.

Tip !

A comprehensive guide about communication strategies, free of charge, is available at all Lobe clinics.

Simply ask a hearing health professional.

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Reaching Out to Others To break social isolation, we just need to listen to that brave little voice inside us.

If we have hearing loss, it might be tempting to decline invitations to participate in activities in the hopes of avoiding potentially embarrassing situations.

But without realizing it, that can set off an insidious trap—one that, little by little, deprives us of the joys of spending time with loved ones.

Of course, depending on the extent of our hearing loss, there are also plenty of activities we can still do ourself, some of which are less demanding in terms of communication: ª

Build confidence by first visiting places that don’t require a lot of interaction, like museums or libraries

ª

Going out in small groups to facilitate communication

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Choosing a quieter time when dining out, for example

Nurturing our Passions Our favourite hobbies can also help us break isolation by allowing us to connect with others who share our passions and interact with them. Focus on developing strategies that facilitate communication rather than putting aside the activities that are important to us and that make us feel good!

Taking Care of Others Preparing food for our family members can also be a way to socialize at our own pace. Offering our help allows us to socialize while caring for our loved ones.

Getting our Loved Ones Involved Thankfully, if our loved ones are aware of our needs, there are small ways they can help us make the most of everything life has to offer. Their support is important to helping us remain socially active and overcome isolation.

There are a number of ways to break the isolation caused by hearing loss. It’s all about finding what works best for us to reduce the impact of hearing loss on our quality of life and overall health. By using effective communication strategies, we can stay active and keep that pep in our step!

Marie-Josée Taillefer Ambassador of Lobe clinics and of hearing health

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Closed captioni ng

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Enjoy the Show!

Do you feel like going out and having a good time with your friends and family? How about going to a comedy show or a movie?

That might seem daunting if you have hearing loss. However, some venues offer systems and accommodations to help hard-of-hearing people understand the show.

Theatres You can ask for an FM1 (frequency modulation) system at no extra cost in some venues. This wireless communication tool allows you to listen to the performance directly in your ears through a headset. Voices are amplified while background noise that interferes with understanding is masked. This system also lets users adjust the volume to understand better.

Movie Theatres Many theatres have induction loop systems2 for moviegoers who wear hearing aids. The movie’s soundtrack is streamed directly from the audio equipment to the hearing aids with these systems. The aim is to reduce ambient noise and help people understand speech better.

Closed captioning is another good way to enjoy a movie.

The system sits in the seat’s cup holder, showing the English or French subtitles for the film. Just look for “CC” or “CC/ DS” in the theatre’s listings to find out the screening times and theatres where this service is available. It may be interesting to look for foreign films since they’re generally already subtitled.

Finally, many theatres have showings specifically for those with sensory concerns3. They’re quieter than regular showings, which is more comfortable for some people. If you constantly find movie theatres too loud, this could be a good option if you still want to enjoy a movie and some delicious popcorn!

Find out about the systems and accommodations near you.

Émilie Gendron Specialized educator practising in Saint-Romuald

References: 1. L’utilisation d’un système MF : Bénéfices et limites en milieu scolaire - AQEPA Provincial. (n.d.). AQEPA. https://aqepa.org/lutilisation-dun-systeme-mfbenefices-et-limites-en-milieu-scolaire/ 2. Crouzet, G. (2019, July 10). Boucle magnétique : 8 questions pour tout comprendre.

Okeenea. https://okeenea-produit.com/blogs/accessibilite-erp/boucle-magnetique8-questions-pour-tout-comprendre 3. Cineplex, Closed Caption “CC” Viewing System. https://www.cineplex.com/ Theatres/ClosedCaption

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Tips for Reducing Auditory Fatigue Most of us have probably noticed that our hearing is (temporarily) diminished sometimes—maybe after going to a loud place like a concert or a movie theatre. That explains why the following day, the radio or TV that sounded just fine the day before now seems much too loud. What is this phenomenon, and how can we explain it? Well, it’s called auditory fatigue.

Tips to Prevent Auditory Fatigue Wear earmuffs or custom ear protectors Lower the volume on your headphones; it should be around halfway between the minimum and maximum volume Reduce sources of background noise when you’re having a conversation so you can understand the other person

Temporary Auditory Fatigue When your hearing worsens temporarily after prolonged exposure to loud noises, it’s called auditory fatigue. This temporary hearing impairment can also be caused by acoustic trauma from loud bangs, like gunshots or explosions.

What Happens When Auditory Fatigue Is No Longer Temporary?

Take a break from loud activities If you have any doubts about the quality of your hearing, don’t hesitate to make an appointment for a free* hearing health consultation. *Permanent offer. 18 and over.

Auditory fatigue becomes permanent deafness when the inner ear is damaged irreversibly. Suppose you think this is happening to you. In that case, it is recommended that you see a hearing health professional for a free* hearing health consultation to verify the extent of your hearing loss.

Hearing loss can also be caused by working in a noisy environment every day, in which case it’s known as occupational deafness. People who work in places like factories, restaurants, schools, hair salons, and construction sites work in higher-risk jobs. If you believe that noise at your work can affect the quality of your hearing, a professional will help you start the process with the CNESST.

Josée Aumont-Blanchette Audioprosthetist practising in Valleyfield and Pointe-Claire

References: -

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Barbara A. Bohne; Gary W. Harding (June 14, 1999). “Noise & Its Effects on the Ear.” Noise-induced Hearing Loss. Dept. of Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Archived from the original on 2016-07-01.

Retrieved July 5, 2016. “Parameters of Noise Which Affect Its Damage Potential.”

Bruit. Effets sur la santé - Risques - INRS. (n.d.). Santé et sécurité au travail - INRS. https://www.inrs.fr/risques/bruit/effets-sante.html Critères d’admissibilité d’une surdité professionnelle (article 29, présomption) | Conseil du patronat du Québec. (n.d.). Conseil du patronat du Québec. https://www.cpq.qc.ca/fr/landing/criteres-d-admissibilite-d-une-surditeprofessionnelle-article-29-presomption/

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Wearing Hearing Aids Every Day People who live alone are often less likely to wear their hearing aids because they have nobody to talk to. The role of hearing health professionals is to make these people aware of the importance of stimulating their auditory systems every single day.

Adjustment Period When a person with hearing loss starts wearing hearing aids, they first go through an adjustment period. The brain needs to reacquaint the little everyday noises it had stopped hearing, like floors creaking, fridges humming, or cupboard doors closing. That’s why it’s a good idea to wear your hearing aids in a quiet environment to enjoy the sounds again.

What’s more, it will help you prepare for environments where noises are all mixed. That, in turn, will make them sound adequate.

Safety It’s also important to wear hearing aids for safety reasons, no matter your degree of hearing loss. Our auditory environments provide us with many clues about the world around us. Hearing loss deprives us of essential safety cues like: ²

Water running

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Fire starting

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Something breaking

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Someone ringing the doorbell or entering your home

In addition, it’s important to remember that wearing your hearing aids stimulates brain activity1. Someone with hearing loss who does not wear hearing aids may struggle to understand speech a little bit more as time passes by2. This is called sensory deprivation, and can lead to cognitive decline in the long term.

There were all strong arguments as to why you should wear your hearing aids all the time, even when you’re alone.

Talk to your audioprosthetist for more information.

Julie Croteau Audioprosthetist practising in Lévis

References:

An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient’s needs.

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1. BERGERON, F., Ph.D. Plasticité cérébrale et surdité : États des lieux.

Presentation at the Lobe convention, 2019.

2. Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults, study by Dr. Frank Lin, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

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A reprieve from noise is defined as a period of at least 16 straight hours without exposure to excessive noise.

The Importance of a Reprieve from Noise Before a Hearing Assessment A reprieve from noise is defined as a period of at least 16 straight hours without exposure to excessive noise.

Most people know that workplaces can be loud, but they don’t realize that certain leisure activities can be just as loud:

Eating in a noisy restaurant

Seeing a movie in the theatre

Going to a show

Riding a motorcycle

Going hunting

Mowing the lawn

Doing carpentry

Before a Hearing Assessment Reprieve from noise is necessary before your hearing can be adequately assessed. Exposure to loud noises can cause your hearing thresholds to shift; in other words, it causes temporary hearing loss. Without proper reprieve from noise, the hearing assessment won’t be as accurate.

Give our Ears a Break!

Reprieve from noise is also essential in everyday life. Without it, temporary hearing loss can become permanent in the long term. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that auditory fatigue can occur when exposed to noise above 70 dB(A). Furthermore, if the exposure reaches 80 dB(A) or more over 8 hours, there is a real risk of hearing damage1.

Studies also show that reprieve from noise can mitigate the many effects of prolonged exposure to loud noises, such as: ²

Sleep disturbances and trouble concentrating

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Long-term cardiovascular damage

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Impaired memory and reading comprehension in children1

Turn it Down!

For the best reprieve from noise, the WHO recommends that the noise level not exceed 55 dB(A) during the day and 40 dB(A) at night. In more concrete terms, a dishwasher running is about 55 dB(A), and light rainfall is around 40 dB(A)2,3.

Talk to your audiologist for more information.

Brigitte Sauvageau Audiologist practising in Montreal

References: 1. Conseil National du bruit (2017). Les effets sanitaires du bruit. Online : https://www.bruit.fr/images/stories/pdf/CNB_Effets_Sanitaires_Bruit-Septembre-2017.pdf 2. Santé publique (2021). Bruit environnemental. Online: https://santemontreal.qc.ca/professionnels/drsp/sujets-de-a-a-z/bruit-environnemental/information-generale/ 3. Elena Camenzind. Bruit quotidien normal ou vacarme?. Online: https://siga-fsia.ch/files/Anaesthesie_Journal/UEbersetzungen_Journal/02_21_Bruit_quotidien_normal_ ou_vacarme.pdf

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The Benefits of Music Did you know that music can stop isolation, support communication, and even improve health? Yes, really!

Based on what we know about evolution, early humans likely expressed their emotions by gesturing and making sounds even before they developed effective speech1.

That means music would have been a precursor to speech.

And it remains an excellent way to convey our thoughts and feelings! It opens the door to infinite conversations and fosters social relationships by bringing people around shared passions like musicians or musical genres.

Benefits for Speech Comprehension Understanding speech in noise is often a barrier for hearing-impaired people. A few recent studies have shown that musical training may improve the brain’s ability to discern speech from noise2. This hypothesis is supported by other studies showing that music is an excellent way to stimulate the brain, involving verbal skills, frequency (pitch) discrimination, auditory memory, working memory, and directed attention3. However, further studies are needed to demonstrate precisely how music benefits speech comprehension.

Benefits for Tinnitus Music can be an excellent tool for hearing-impaired people with tinnitus that affects their quality of life. It’s part of a widespread audiology treatment called sound therapy.

It has three main objectives: 1 | Disguise the tinnitus to give temporary relief.

2 | Divert the person’s attention from the tinnitus using a piece of music they like, as this quickly draws their attention and keeps them engaged the entire time.

3 | Promote relaxation to reduce stress levels since stress is one of the leading factors in discomfort caused by tinnitus.

People with hearing loss are more likely to suffer from hyperacusis, hypersensitivity to noise environment. Fortunately, sound therapy—stimulating the brain with sounds—is also the most effective treatment for hyperacusis.

Be Careful With Your Hearing Even though music is beneficial, you need to keep your hearing health in mind when listening to it. Pay attention to the volume and duration.

Here are three simple guidelines to follow: 1 | Adjust the volume of the music halfway between the minimum and maximum volume.

2 | If you’re wearing headphones, make sure that someone a metre away can’t hear the music.

3 | Use hearing protectors when you go to a concert.

Talk to your audiologist for more information.

Pier-Luc Trudeau Audiologist practising in Boisbriand, Mirabel and Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts

References: 1. Trimble, M. & Hesdorffer D. (2017). Music and the brain: the neuroscience of music and musical appreciation. BJPsych international, Vol. 14. No. 2. p. 28–31. https://doi.org/10.1192/s2056474000001720 2. Miendlarzewska E.A. & Trost W. J. (2014). How musical training affects cognitive development: rhythm, reward and other modulating variables. Frontiers in Neuroscience. Vol. 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2013.00279 3. Worschech F, Marie D, Jünemann K, Sinke C, Krüger THC, Großbach M, Scholz DS, Abdili L, Kliegel M, James CE and Altenmüller E. (2021). Improved Speech in Noise Perception in the Elderly After 6 Months of Musical Instruction.

Frontiers in Neuroscience. Vol. 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2021.696240

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Your Invisible Co-Pilot Driving around to visit friends and family, run errands, or enjoy the scenery is a great way to break your isolation.

Find out why your hearing is essential for staying alert while driving.

Locating ound

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of afety

1. A Brain on High Alert

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The ability to tell where sounds are coming from is a big part of road safety, and it’s directly related to the quality of your hearing. After all, if you’re driving on the highway and hear a car speeding up to pass you, it’s essential to know whether they’ll be overtaking you on the left or the right. And if you hear an ambulance, you need to know where it is so you can give them the right of way if necessary.

In other words, locating sound is a matter of safety, both for you and for other drivers.

2. Better Understanding in Noisy Environments Chatting with your passengers is another enjoyable part of a car ride. It can be stressful for someone with hearing loss to try and understand the other people in the car amidst the sounds of the road and the vehicle itself. Wearing two hearing aids helps the brain distinguish between speech and background noise better. That means you’ll be able to understand what the other people in the car are saying more easily.

3. More Comfortable Listening Wearing two hearing aids contributes to your well-being while helping reduce fatigue. It means your brain doesn’t have to work as hard to concentrate with the bilateral port so that you can be more attentive. That, in turn, will make your drives safer and more enjoyable.

If you have any doubts about the quality of your hearing, don’t hesitate to make an appointment for a free* hearing health consultation.

Rachel Paquin Audioprosthetist practising in Saint-Léonard

*Permanent offer. 18 and over.

An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient’s needs.

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Reference: -

Audition - oreille - cochlée. (n.d.). Journey into the World of Hearing – Spécialites Cochlea. https://www.cochlea.eu/en/sound/psychoacoustics/localisation

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A Vicious Cycle

Quantity and Quality are Both Important!

Rechargeable hearing aids and charging stand

The brain unconsciously gives meaning to all the sounds you hear. It helps you locate them and identify speech in loud environments. The brain is the best sound processor in existence.

Social gatherings can be challenging for people with hearing loss because they require a lot of listening effort. As a result, many hearing-impaired people try to avoid them. By withdrawing from things like dinners with friends and family, they isolate themselves and neglect their relationships. Hearing loss and social isolation are closely related, and both have been identified as risk factors for cognitive decline. There is hope because hearing loss is a risk factor that can change. There are ways to treat it and to reduce or delay the development of cognitive decline, thereby breaking the isolation.

Some hearing aids have technologies that support how the brain processes sound information. This technology ensures that the brain receives enough quality information to stay stimulated, active, and healthy.

Talk to your audioprosthetist to learn more.

Charles-Edouard Basile

However, if you have untreated hearing loss, the sound signals that reach your brain are degraded and incomplete.

As a result, it needs to work harder to fill in the missing information. What’s more, the areas of the brain that handle focus and information retention end up needing to divert all their energy to hear.

Director of Business Development and trainer for the adult and pediatric programs

Josée Guillemette Bilingual Audiology Support Specialist

References:

An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient’s needs.

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Livingston G., Sommerlad A., Orgeta V. et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care. Lancet. 2017; 390: 2673–2734.

Livingston G. et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. 2020; VOLUME 396, ISSUE 10248, P. 413–446, AUGUST 8, 2020

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The Importance of Decompression Relaxation of any kind is essential to your health.

It has many physical benefits; for instance, it can reduce your stress levels and allow you to sleep better.

That’s why it’s essential to set aside some time to relax every day, whether that means meditating, listening to music, or even just daydreaming in the tub!

A few Ways to Relax

Benefits for the Brain

Reading Going for a nature walk

Relaxation isn’t just good for the body, either.

It’s also good for the brain. Recent studies have shown that activities like meditation strengthen specific brain areas; the new stimulation can improve emotional regulation, attention, and self-awareness.

Listening to music is beneficial as well—it can slow cognitive decline and improve memory, social and verbal skills, and mood.

Taking a bath Doing breathing exercises Listening to music Doing yoga Meditating

What About the Auditory System?

Relaxation can also be good for the auditory system.

Some researchers suggest that long-term pressure can decrease the blood supply to the cochlea (the sensory organ of the inner ear), leading to tinnitus and hearing loss. If the condition is persistent, it could even disrupt specific brain structures involved in auditory processing. In particular, stress is linked to a greater sensitivity to sound and a poorer ability to understand speech in noise. In other words, relaxation is one of many ways to take care of your hearing health!

Drawing Journalling If you have any questions about your hearing health, don’t hesitate to consult your audiologist.

Bianca Hallé Audiologist practising in Sherbrooke, Rock Forest and Lac-Mégantic

References: -

WALLEN, M.B. Association between stress and hearing problems: epidemiological and experimental findings. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. 2012 KANG, D.-H. et al. The effect of meditation on the brain structure: cortical thickness mapping and diffusion tensor imaging. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 8(1): 27–33. 2013.

NAWAZ, R. et al. The Effect of Music on Human Brain; Frequency Domain and Time Series Analysis Using Electroencephalogram. IEEE Access. 6(1): 45191–45205.

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The Impact of Hearing Loss on your Mental Health We all want to be healthy and happy as we age, don’t we? And we all know many of the obvious ways to do it — like exercising, eating right, not smoking and getting enough sleep. But did you know our hearing plays a role in healthy ageing?

Our sense of hearing plays a huge role in how confident and independent we are and how safe we feel.

The Brain Experts attribute the connection to the fact that hearing loss leads to social isolation, accelerates brain shrinkage, and forces the brain to “redirect” energy needed for memory and thinking. Meanwhile, untreated hearing loss increases the risk of dementia by 50%, depression by 40% and trouble of balance by 30% over ten years, concluded a 2018 study1.

The Social Life Since hearing loss progresses slowly, people can adapt while not noticing they are also withdrawing from life. People often don’t realize what’s happening until their hearing loss is more advanced. Living with a hearing-impaired person can bring up disagreements, especially when unaware of the problem. If your friends and family are constantly asking you to repeat yourself or turn up the TV to an uncomfortable level, it may be time to have a gentle, caring conversation.

Detect

Hearing Aids: More Than Just an Amplifier

fall

s

In recent years, hearing aids have quickly shifted from single-purpose accessories to versatile devices that allow us to stay connected. Currently, some hearing aid models on the market can: Make 55 million automatic adjustments every hour Make you hear better and understand the speech better when facing a person wearing a mask Measure your daily activity with a smartwatch Detect falls and automatically send alerts to select caregivers when not feeling well Hearing aids that translate languages in real time Schedule reminders to take medications or other tasks For more information, don’t hesitate to contact your audioprosthetist.

Rizlane Bellamlih Territory Manager

An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient’s needs.

Reference: 1. JAMA otolaryngology – head & ; neck surgery. (s. d.). JAMA Network | Home of JAMA and the Specialty Journals of the American Medical Association. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology

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Receptionist: A Profession With Heart

A Warm and Friendly Place Wow! What a great atmosphere!

I love the celebratory decorations!

It’s so clean!

Entering a Lobe clinic means deciding to take control of your hearing health and being brave enough to seek professional help. It can be intimidating, so your first contact with the clinic must be gentle and empathetic, whether you’re calling or going in person. It’s easy to underestimate how mighty small acts of kindness can be for people.

Once again, the receptionists are the ones who bring a little magic to your appointment. They don’t just check people in and make appointments—they also do several “invisible” tasks, like: ª

Disinfecting common areas

The people at the front desk are the first set of listening ears you’ll encounter at a Lobe clinic. You can tell them what you’re going through and ask them any questions on your mind. They’ll make sure they understand your situation to guide you to the resources that best fit your needs. They’re also there to efficiently help you make an appointment within a reasonable timeframe.

ª

Putting up holiday decorations to create a festive atmosphere

ª

Creating a welcoming environment

A Ray of Sunshine Versatile, cheerful, and dedicated, our receptionists are the heart of our clinics. Without them, our patients wouldn’t be able to enjoy the warmth and care that turns a simple appointment into a friendly meeting.

They also allow the hearing health and communication professionals who practice at Lobe clinics to give you their undivided attention. These people with hearts of gold make patients a priority every single day.

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They’re behind it all!

The next time you’re at a Lobe clinic, please join us in saying a big THANK YOU for all the little things they do every day!

If you are interested in working as a receptionist at a Lobe clinic, please send your resume to rh@lobe.ca.

Marie-Ève Bernier Clinical Operations Assistant

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Hearing Loss, Cognitive and Psychosocial Health Social Isolation You may think that hearing loss doesn’t affect your health, except for your actual hearing. But an untreated hearing loss could have more effects than you think, particularly for your mental health, leading to seclusion and social isolation.

When you constantly struggle to hear what people are saying and follow conversations, you might prefer to stay home instead of going out and socializing. Wearing hearing aids bilaterally offers many benefits, that can inspire you to get back into your favorite activities:

The advanced technology of modern hearing aids can compensate for hearing loss and benefit the wearer on a cognitive, social, and emotional level. The impact on quality of life varies from individual to individual. It can be caused by several factors, which wearing hearing aids addresses.

ª

Improved binaural summation of sound intensity, which allows better accuracy in determining the intensity of a sound

ª

Improved localization capabilities to better identify where sounds are coming from

ª

Improved ability to detect speech in a noisy environment

Cognitive Load When you constantly strain to hear and understand, the brain gets stressed out. Wearing hearing aids stimulates the auditory system by compensating for hearing loss, which decreases its stress level. In addition, some hearing aids include sound processing algorithms capable of distinguishing speech from ambient noise to enhance it, and allow better speech understanding in those challenging noisy situations.

Brain Structure Hearing loss may affect the structure of your brain, as specific brain cells structures can shrink when they don’t get enough stimulation. Hearing aids are designed to provide the wearer with a full sound image to compensate for this lack of stimulation. Some hearing aids can capture a larger sound window, from the softest to loud sounds, without distortion and maintain their intensity to reproduce normal hearing performance.

So How Can You Maintain your Hearing Health?

Because it is crucial to keep your brain healthy, it is also essential to maintain your hearing health. Do not let your hearing loss increase over time.

Hearing aids are an excellent way to treat your hearing loss, prevent it from worsening and thus keep your brain cells intact by reducing the cognitive load. According to audiologist Majken Roikjer, hearing aids can positively affect an individual mentally and socially. She states that “improving hearing ability by using hearing aids can reduce the isolating effects of a hearing loss and increase the ability to participate in cognitively stimulating activities such as social activities1.”

For more information, don’t hesitate to contact your hearing health professional.

Janic Lauriault Audiologist

An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient’s needs.

References: -

AARP® official site - join & ; explore the benefits. (s. d.). AARP. http://www.aarp.com WebMD - better information. better health. (s. d.). WebMD. http://www.webmd.com Access anytime anywhere | cleveland clinic. (s. d.). Cleveland Clinic. http://www.clevelandclinic.org 1. Listen #10

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A Noteworthy Involvement to the Fondation Sourdine On December 13, 2021, the Fondation Sourdine celebrated Martin Cousineau’s 10 years of volunteer work.

Mr. Cousineau, who is President and CEO of the Lobe clinic network, first joined the foundation’s Board of Directors on December 12, 2011, and became its president in December 2018. He received an honorary plaque to highlight his noteworthy involvement.

A man of action and conviction, Mr. Cousineau is committed to the growth of the organization in the interest of the young students who attend the École oraliste de Québec pour enfants malentendants ou sourds.

He and his company are valuable partners of the Fondation Sourdine and are actively involved in each of its actions.

No matter the event—from “Les Saveurs du Théâtre” to the “Classique de golf”—Mr. Cousineau knows how to rally his troops in order to offer continuing financial support.

A proud ambassador, he makes it his duty to highlight the importance and quality of the services offered by the foundation’s beneficiary.

For a decade, a strong and dependable bond has been forged between the businessman and the Fondation Sourdine, creating a lasting alliance in the world of hearing health and communication.

(Photo credit: Cynthia Martineau, Fondation Sourdine) From left to right: Martin Cousineau, President and CEO of the Lobe clinics network, and Sandra Ferguson, Executive Director of the Fondation Sourdine.

Sandra Ferguson Executive Director at the Fondation Sourdine

For more information: www.sourdine.qc.ca

Do you have any doubts about the quality of your hearing?

Make an appointment for a free* hearing health consultation *Permanent offer. 18 and over.

Marie-Josée Taillefer Ambassador of Lobe clinics and of hearing health LOBE.CA | © LOBE MAGAZINE 2022

1 866 411-5623 |

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It’s Time to Reconnect !

Did you know that of the approximately 1.5 million people aged 65 and over in Quebec during the 2016 Census, 10.5% were listed as living in a collective household (such as a private seniors’ residence or long-term care home/CHSLD)?

And that another 26.9%—more than 403,000 people—lived alone in a private household?

Of course, many people don’t necessarily feel isolated, even though there’s no one else under their roof daily.

Social Activities for Everyone While life may have slowed down recently, most seniors have returned to their busy lives: visiting friends and grandchildren, taking classes, going on trips, and more.

However, if you’re a retiree with much free time, here are some suggestions for staying connected.

Volunteer: You can make a difference at any age!

Whether it’s stocking shelves at a food bank, reading to toddlers at the library, or cooking for the local Meals on Wheels, you can help out. Get in touch with your local “Centre d’action bénévole” to offer your services.

Enroll in the Université du 3e âge: Many universities across the province offer courses for people aged 50 and up. There’s no homework, just the joy of learning about many subjects and meeting people who share your passions.

Get involved in the community: No matter what’s most important to you (environmental issues, intergenerational relationships, or something else), you can get involved by joining a committee in your neighbourhood or city.

Become a member of the Réseau FADOQ fadoq.ca | 1 800 828-3344

Return to the workforce: Part-time work is another excellent option. With the labour shortage in Quebec, you’ll land a job in no time! You’ll be able to put your skills to good use and feel a sense of accomplishment at the same time.

Join the Réseau FADOQ: Joining the largest organization for people aged 50+ in the country opens the door to many opportunities for in-person activities, like physical or cultural activities, computer training, workshops, and more. And they’re great opportunities to make friends!

If travel is an issue—or you’re reluctant to venture out on the roads in winter—you can enjoy a wide range of virtual lectures, shows, and workshops; most are even free! Nearly 550,000 Quebecers over the age of 50 have chosen this way to break the isolation.

The list could go on and on, as there are many ways to interact more with people and enjoy life.

Sophie Gagnon Réseau FADOQ

Our partners Thank you!

To the writers who have spent time writing the articles published in this magazine, and who generously agreed to share their knowledge.

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Isabelle Savage, Principal: Vincent, you started going to the École oraliste in 2011, when you were 6. What was it like at the time, being deaf?

Preventing Social Isolation

by Boosting Self-Esteem

Vincent Meunier, former student: I had an everyday life.

I was a little embarrassed at first with my hearing aids, but I got used to them fairly quickly.

I : How did you feel about starting at a regular school?

V : Going to a regular school was a massive change for me. It was hard sometimes.

I : What did you find most challenging?

V : The hardest part of my first year was finding new friends.

I : Why did you find it hard to make new friends?

V : Because of my deafness. I was afraid of being judged.

Living with hearing loss can come with unique difficulties, like social isolation, especially for children. Accepting your differences, starting relationships, building friendships, and interacting in society may be more challenging for some students.

The mission of the École oraliste de Québec pour enfants malentendants ou sourds, which also welcomes students with language problems, is to bring its students to a level where they can attend regular schools. Our school also focuses on building self-esteem and a sense of belonging.

In addition to formal education and language therapy, teachers support children in their social interactions by guiding them toward independence and providing real opportunities to engage in meaningful activities such as drama, extracurriculars, and even travel. These activities promote self-confidence and allow students to feel that they have an important place in society.

Integration: the Key to Success We recently interviewed Vincent Meunier, a former student of the École oraliste. He started going to a regular school in 2018 when he was in Secondary 1 (Grade 7).

I : Would you say that your time at the École oraliste helped you? How? V : Going to the École oraliste helped me gain selfconfidence and understand things better. The small class sizes really helped me learn.

I : At the École oraliste, you did theatre and played drums and went on trips. What did those activities do for your social life?

V : All those activities really boosted my self-confidence.

That made it easier to socialize and approach other people.

I : Are you involved in your new school?

V : Yes, I got involved quickly because I had that selfconfidence. I was very social. Now I’m surrounded by many friends and people who accept me and my deafness.

I’ve also been on the basketball team since Secondary 2 (Grade 8).

I : Do you have any advice for deaf or hearing-impaired kids starting at a regular school?

V : I’d say, “Don’t stress about it. When you get to your regular school, that first year, just socialize and be confident.”

Isabelle Savage Principal at École oraliste de Québec pour enfants malentendants ou sourds

DE QUÉBEC POUR ENFANTS SOURDS

An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient’s needs.

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Isolation or Loneliness?

First, it’s important to distinguish between social isolation and loneliness. Social isolation happens when you don’t get enough socialization (meaning you don’t socialize as often, as many times, or as long as you need). The pandemic has caused much social isolation, especially for people over 65.

As for loneliness, it describes your feelings about the quality and quantity of your relationships with others. After all, you’re in the best position to measure your own needs.

When you have fewer relationships than you’d like or feel that they aren’t enough, the loneliness can feel crushing.

It is essential to recognize these risks, identify the root causes of isolation, and get ahead of the problem. We all need to pay attention to others’ basic needs and find solutions to any obstacles that can be overcome, like hearing, vision, or mobility problems.

Seniors are especially likely to be affected by both social isolation and loneliness. Studies have shown that they can be seriously harmful to seniors’ health and well-being, with potential consequences including a lowered quality of life, poor cognitive health, and even death.

We can build supportive environments for people who live alone and create better social cohesion.

Martine Rodrigue Executive Director Association québécoise de défense des droits des personnes retraitées et préretraitées Lévis-Rive-Sud (AQDR)

DON’T STAY ALONE JOIN US!

Proud partner of Lobe

aqrp.ca

Why become an AQRP member?

• Enjoy social and physical activities • Have access to conferences, training, web conferences, contests and blog • Benefit from a host of savings and advantages at Lobe, La Capitale insurances and many important partners (health, leisure, culture, travel, etc.)

1 800 653-2747 www.aqrp.ca

• Promote your rights and have access to a free telephone help service!

AQRP members receive a 20%* discount on a complete hearing assessment performed at a Lobe clinic. *Valid only on complete hearing assessment performed at a Lobe clinic (excluding pediatric hearing assessments and other services). By appointment only.

Cannot be combined with any other promotion. Call 1 866 411-5623 to find the nearest Lobe clinic. Offer valid until March 31, 2023. Some conditions apply. Visit a clinic for details.

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What’s New in the

Clinics?

Subscribe Now! Lobe Magazine, the reference in hearing health!

The “Classique de golf”: An Exceptional Annual Event The 14 “Classique de golf” organized by the Fondation Sourdine raised $50 000. The money will be used to finance the École oraliste de Québec pour enfants malentendants ou sourds. Congratulations on a successful day! th

ways to get Lobe Magazine: 1 | Online, free of charge, on the Customer Account of boutique.lobe.ca/en. Available just a few days before it’s released!

2 | Print subscription for 4 issues per year. Available on boutique.lobe.ca.

Some conditions apply.

3 | Free of charge, in all Lobe clinics and at our different partners.

New Address for the Pont-Rouge Lobe Clinic To better serve you, the Pont-Rouge Lobe clinic, formerly located on 69 rue du Collège, has moved since January 31, 2022, into new premises on 20 route de la Pinière.

Questions or comments?

Email us: courrier@lobe.ca

We Are Here for You! Rest assured that, in all Lobe clinics, strict sanitary measures are in place to ensure your safety. That way, we are able to offer you hearing health services and help break the isolation of people with hearing loss.

To make an appointment at a Lobe clinic, call 1 866 411-5623 and it will be our pleasure to accompany you!

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ADDRESSES OF THE CAPITALE-NATIONALE Donnacona Complexe Santé Donnacona 499, route 138, suite 200 Donnacona Qc G3M 0A9 Audiologists : 581 821-2435 Audioprosthetists: 581 821-2434 NEW ADDRESS

Pont-Rouge 20, route de la Pinière, suite 101 Pont-Rouge Qc G3H 0M6 ENT specialists: 581 318-3505 Audiologists : 581 329-8476 Audioprosthetists: 581 329-8401 Québec • Beauport Clinique médicale de Giffard Les Promenades Beauport, door 4 3333, rue du Carrefour, suite A222 Québec Qc G1C 5R9 Audiologists : 418 780-6270 Audioprosthetists: 418 780-3007

CLINICS

Québec • Val-Bélair Polyclinique médicale Val-Bélair 1147, boul. Pie XI Nord, suite 205 Québec Qc G3K 2P8 Audiologists : 418 915-2117 Audioprosthetists: 418 915-2116

Lévis • Saint-Jean-Chrysostome Complexe Santé Taniata 700, avenue Taniata, suite 104 Lévis Qc G6Z 2C2 Audiologists : 581 629-0409 Audioprosthetists: 581 629-0408

Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures Complexe médical l’Hêtrière 3520, rue de l’Hêtrière, suite 103 Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures Qc G3A 0B4 ENT specialists: 418 614-1665 Audiologists : 418 614-1662 Audioprosthetists: 418 614-1661

Saint-Georges 14640, boul. Lacroix Saint-Georges Qc G5Y 7G8 ENT specialists: 418 228-7684 Audiologists : 418 228-7071 Audioprosthetists: 418 228-2970

Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Complexe Santé Côte-de-Beaupré 9745, boul. Sainte-Anne, suite 303 Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Qc G0A 3C0 Audiologists : 581 540-3022 Audioprosthetists: 581 540-3021

CENTRE-DU-QUÉBEC

Québec • Charlesbourg La Cité Médicale de Charlesbourg 8500, boul. Henri-Bourassa suite 250, Québec Qc G1G 5X1 ENT specialists: 418 780-3015 Audiologists : 418 780-6270 Audioprosthetists: 418 780-3007

Drummondville 110, rue Saint-Jean, suite 300 Drummondville Qc J2B 7T1 ENT specialists: 819 857-4777 Audiologists : 819 857-4666 Audioprosthetists: 819 472-7676

Québec • Lebourgneuf Complexe Vision 725, boul. Lebourgneuf, suite 315 Québec Qc G2J 0C4 ENT specialists: 418 780-3015 Audiologists : 418 780-6270 Audioprosthetists: 418 780-3007

CHAUDIÈRE-APPALACHES

Québec • Limoilou Complexe Santé Synase 1825, boul. Henri-Bourassa suite 302, Québec Qc G1J 0H4 ENT specialists: 581 814-8901 Audiologists : 581 814-8900 Audioprosthetists: 581 814-8899 Speech-language pathologists: 581 814-8902 Free parking, coupon given at the exit

Québec • Neufchâtel Clinique médicale DuChatel 9465, boul. de l’Ormière, suite 102 Québec Qc G2B 3K7 Audiologists : 418 915-8919 Audioprosthetists: 418 843-5244 Québec • Saint-Sacrement Complexe La Cité Verte

1200, rue des Sœurs-du-Bon-Pasteur, suite 310, Québec Qc G1S 0B1 Audiologists : 581 742-3880 Audioprosthetists: 581 742-6050

Québec • Sainte-Foy Clinique médicale Saint-Louis 3165, chemin Saint-Louis, suite 420 Québec Qc G1W 4R4 ENT specialists: 418 781-1735 Audiologists : 418 781-1734 Audioprosthetists: 418 781-1733 Free parking, coupon given at the exit

Beauceville Coop santé Robert-Cliche 463-B, boul. Renault Beauceville Qc G5X 1N5 Audiologists : 581 813-3015 Audioprosthetists: 581 813-3013 Disraeli 1244, avenue Champlain Disraeli Qc G0N 1E0 Audiologists : 581 714-3051 Audioprosthetists: 581 714-3050 Lac-Etchemin Résidence Belvédère du Lac 301, rue du Sanatorium, suite 121 Lac-Etchemin Qc G0R 1S0 Audioprosthetists: 581 820-3220 Lévis Complexe Lévis 1 1655, boul. Alphonse-Desjardins, suite 210, Lévis Qc G6V 0B7 ENT specialists: 418 830-5622 Audiologists : 418 830-0987 Audioprosthetists: 418 830-5623 Lévis • Lauzon Complexe Santé Lévis-Lauzon 6750, boul. Guillaume-Couture suite 102, Lévis Qc G6V 9H4 Audiologists : 581 629-0414 Audioprosthetists: 581 629-0413 Lévis • Saint-Romuald Complexe Pôle Sud 1190 A, rue de Courchevel, suite 502 Lévis Qc G6W 0M5 ENT specialists: 418 903-8102 Audiologists : 418 903-8101 Audioprosthetists: 418 903-8100

Sainte-Marie 340, boul. Vachon Sud Sainte-Marie Qc G6E 1X8 ENT specialists: 418 386-3643 Audiologists : 418 386-4426 Audioprosthetists: 418 387-7988 Thetford Mines Place 611 (Ameublement Carrier) 611, boul. Frontenac Est, suite 201 Thetford Mines Qc G6G 6Y7 ENT specialists: 418 755-0176 Audiologists : 418 755-0138 Audioprosthetists: 418 338-8777

ESTRIE Lac-Mégantic 6246, rue Salaberry Lac-Mégantic Qc G6B 1H8 Audiologists : 819 583-4631 Audioprosthetists: 819 583-6633 Sherbrooke Ouest Complexe de la Santé 15, rue J.-A.-Bombardier, suite A200 Sherbrooke Qc J1L 0H8 ENT specialists: 819 780-9747 Audiologists : 819 780-9746 Audioprosthetists: 819 348-4334 Sherbrooke Est Clinique médicale GMA de la Rivière 360, rue Galt Est, suite 102 Sherbrooke Qc J1G 1X9 Audiologists : 819 416-1503 Audioprosthetists: 819 416-1502 NEW CLINIC

Rock Forest 5035, boul. Bourque, suite 101 Sherbrooke Qc J1N 2K6 Audiologists : 873 639-0022 Audioprosthetists: 873 639-0023

LANAUDIÈRE Notre-Dame-des-Prairies Centre professionnel des Prairies 449, route 131, suite 205 Notre-Dame-des-Prairies Qc J6E 0M1 Audiologists : 579 841-0051 Audioprosthetists: 579 841-0050 Mascouche 2705, chemin Sainte-Marie, suite 102, Mascouche Qc J7K 1M8 Audiologists : 450 769-9221 Audioprosthetists: 450 769-9220

LAURENTIDES Boisbriand Polyclinique 640 2000, cours Le Corbusier, suite 105 Boisbriand Qc J7G 3E8 Audiologists : 450 437-2442 Audioprosthetists: 450 437-4343 Mirabel Complexe Médical Cité Mirabel 11800, rue de Chaumont, suite 420 Mirabel Qc J7J 0T8 ENT specialists: 579 226-0216 Audiologists : 579 226-0215 Audioprosthetists: 579 226-0214 Saint-Jérôme Polyclinique Saint-Jérôme 200, rue Durand, suite 209 Saint-Jérôme Qc J7Z 7E2 ENT specialists: 450 565-9898 Audiologists : 450 592-0804 Audioprosthetists: 450 592-0801 Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts Résidence des Laurentides 107, rue Principale Est Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts Qc J8C 1J9 Audiologists : 873 228-0082 Audioprosthetists: 873 228-0081

LAVAL Laval • Chomedey Cité de l’Avenir 1575, boul. de l’Avenir, suite 120 Laval Qc H7S 2N5 Audiologists : 450 934-8362 Audioprosthetists: 450 934-2614 Laval • Chomedey 440 Carrefour Santé 440 4650, Desserte Sud Autoroute 440, suite 370, Laval Qc H7T 2Z8 ENT specialists: 450 781-4556 Audiologists : 450 687-6897 Audioprosthetists: 450 687-0255

MAURICIE Shawinigan 3222, boul. des Hêtres Shawinigan Qc G9N 3B6 Audioprosthetists: 819 539-8666 Trois-Rivières 1785, boul. du Carmel, suite 245 Trois-Rivières Qc G8Z 3R8 Audiologists : 819 415-2888 Audioprosthetists: 819 378-7477

GRAND NORD QUÉBÉCOIS Tel.: 819 378-7477

MONTÉRÉGIE

MONTRÉAL

OUTAOUAIS

HEAD OFFICE

Châteauguay Complexe médical Châteauguay 288, boul. d’Anjou, suite 210 Châteauguay Qc J6K 1C6 Audiologists : 450 844-6858 Audioprosthetists: 450 844-6848

Montréal • Angus Clinique médicale Angus 2815, rue Sherbrooke Est, suite 250 Montréal Qc H2K 1H2 Audiologists : 438 844-8134 Audioprosthetists: 438 844-8133 Préfontaine

Gatineau Clinique Delta Santé 444, boul. de l’Hôpital, suite 110, Gatineau Qc J8T 7X6 ENT specialists: 819 243-5259 Audiologists : 819 205-7987 Audioprosthetists: 819 243-5258

Complexe Vision 725, boul. Lebourgneuf, suite 303 Québec Qc G2J 0C4 Tel.: 418 877-7222 Fax: 581 814-6260 Email: courrier@lobe.ca

Montréal • Lachine 2000, rue Notre-Dame, suite 203 Montréal Qc H8S 2G4 ENT specialists: 514 492-1345 Audiologists : 514 492-1344 Audioprosthetists: 514 492-1343

Gatineau • Aylmer Carrefour Santé Aylmer 362, chemin d’Aylmer, suite 107 Gatineau Qc J9H 1A6 Audiologists : 819 557-3154 Audioprosthetists: 819 557-3153

Audiology services offered in the clinics:

Longueuil 1215, ch. Du Tremblay, door 165 Longueuil Qc J4N 1R4 ENT specialists: 450 448-4244 Audiologists : 450 448-8090 Audioprosthetists: 450 448-4544 Saint-Hubert 4025, boul. Taschereau, suite 1200 Saint-Hubert Qc J4T 2G6 ENT specialists: 450 890-3788 Audiologists : 450 890-3784 Audioprosthetists: 450 890-3781 Saint-Hyacinthe Complexe médical M 1220, boul. Casavant Est, suite 104 Saint-Hyacinthe Qc J2S 0L6 Audiologists : 579 225-7265 Audioprosthetists: 579 225-7264 Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu 1055, boul. du Séminaire Nord, suite 202, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Qc J3A 1R7 ENT specialists: 579 296-0054 Audiologists : 579 296-0053 Audioprosthetists: 579 296-0052

Montréal • Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Centre médical Brunswick Glen 5100, boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, suite 603, Montréal Qc H4A 3T2 ENT specialists: 438 844-5542 : 438 844-5543 Audiologists Audioprosthetists: 438 844-5544 Vendôme Montréal • Rosemont— La-Petite-Patrie Polyclinique Maisonneuve-Rosemont

5345, boul. de l’Assomption, suite RC-20, Montréal Qc H1T 4B3 ENT specialists: 438 384-3014 Audiologists : 438 384-3013 Audioprosthetists: 438 384-3012 L’Assomption

Valleyfield 1020, boul. Monseigneur-Langlois, suite 200, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield Qc J6S 0M2 Audiologists : 450 747-8651 Audioprosthetists: 450 747-8652

Montréal • Saint-Laurent Complexe médical Saint-Laurent 1605, boul. Marcel-Laurin, suite 120 Montréal Qc H4R 0B7 ENT specialists: 514 788-7753 : 514 788-7752 Audiologists Audioprosthetists: 514 788-7751 Côte-Vertu

Vaudreuil-Dorion Complexe Santé des Trois-Lacs 65, boul. de la Cité-des-Jeunes, suite 220, Vaudreuil Qc J7V 8C1 Audiologists : 579 217-1236 Audioprosthetists: 579 217-1235

Montréal • Saint-Léonard Les Terrasses Langelier 6383, rue Jean-Talon Est Montréal Qc H1S 3E7 Audiologists : 514 788-3738 Audioprosthetists: 514 798-0915

Gatineau • Buckingham Coop Santé de la Basse-Lièvre 620, avenue de Buckingham Gatineau Qc J8L 2H5 Audioprosthetists: 819 243-5258

0-99 years,

3-99 years, 5-99 years

Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)

Vertigo

Vestibular screening

Gatineau • Hull Clinique Medigo 165, boul. Saint-Raymond, suite 213 Gatineau Qc J8Y 0A7 ENT specialists: 819 966-3280 Audiologists : 819 966-3281 Audioprosthetists: 819 966-3282 Saint-André-Avellin CLSC Petite-Nation 14, rue Saint-André Saint-André-Avellin Qc J0V 1W0

Audioprosthetists: 819 243-5258

Montréal • Villeray Carrefour Santé Villeray 8560, rue Saint-Hubert, suite 100 Montréal Qc H2P 1Z7 ENT specialists: 438 943-0022 Audiologists : 438 943-0023 Audioprosthetists: 438 943-0024 Crémazie

Pointe-Claire Centre médical Brunswick 955, boul. Saint-Jean, suite 102 Pointe-Claire Qc H9R 5K3 ENT specialists: 514 782-0481 Audiologists : 514 782-0489 Audioprosthetists: 514 782-0482

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