Lobe Magazine - volume 15, number 3, 2022 (EN)

Listening: A Key to Good Health

What marks our get-togethers and strengthens our bonds? How do we form genuine connections? What’s the cornerstone of a good conversation? Listening!

Listening is the key to our relationships, our closeness. A healthy hearing contributes to the joy of sharing ideas and expressing emotions. It’s a fragile asset that needs to be taken care of no matter how old you are or what your lifestyle is like.

Sometimes out of fear, sometimes out of uncertainty or doubt, too many people wait too long to get their hearing checked. Even today, a lot of people are unaware of this aspect of our physical and mental health. But it’s time to fix that lack of knowledge. As a Lobe clinics and hearing health ambassador, my mission is to enlighten and educate people. I aim to help them understand the importance of good hearing health and realize how hearing loss can affect our lives. Hearing and listening bring us closer together, and they deserve our attention and care.

In this issue, we explore the many tools and resources out there to support your hearing health. That includes our hearing health professionals; whether they’re on the front lines or behind the scenes, they all work together to offer you the best care and the most valuable advice. Enjoy every moment, because every moment deserves to be heard. Happy reading!

Marie-Josée Taillefer Ambassador of the Lobe Clinics and Hearing Health

Volume 15, number 3, 2022

Editor

Anne Dauphinais

Graphic designer

Andrée-Anne Michel

Printing house

TC Imprimeries Transcontinental

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 permis sion from the editor.

The opinions expressed in articles published by Publications Lobe are the responsibility of the author.

Legal deposit

IISSN 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.

Did You Know?

The drop in sea traffic during the pandemic was good for killer whales! According to Ocean Networks Canada, the reduction in shipping traffic and whale-watching boats has reduced ambient noise in the ocean by 75%. The quieter environment helps killer whales communicate, socialize, navigate, and find food. Scientists believe that noise caused by humans and shipping increases stress hormones in these whales and prevents them from finding their prey using echolocation. These findings have fuelled the desire for a policy shift to protect the species.

https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/environnement/2020-06-28/les-eaux-plus-calmes-favorisent-l-etude-des-orques-encolombie-britannique.php

We’re also celebrating our anniver sary with a brand-new slogan that reaffirms our commitment to our clients: Reconnect with your world. These four little words speak volumes! To restore your hearing health is to reopen a door to your universe, your environment, your world. People often wait far too long to seek help, which distances them from those around them. The professionals practicing at Lobe clinics are there to help break that isolation and guide each person through their personal journey.

To go along with this hopeful slogan, the Lobe network has given itself a new brand image that reflects its uniqueness and desire to stand out. This beautiful visual signature, in a soothing turquoise accented with soft yet distinctive colours, perfectly encapsulates the way our soothing strength pairs with our boundless energy.

Finally, we launched a new com mercial in May 2022, the month of speech and hearing awareness, to highlight the consequences of hearing loss. Produced by Kabane, the commercial shed light on a common situation in many Quebec households: people with hear ing loss having to constantly ask others to repeat. It approached the topic in a playful yet serious way to emphasize the importance of watching out for signs of hearing loss and taking similar situations seriously. We believe in demystifying hearing health issues and feel that a campaign like this has had a positive effect on people who have concerns about their hear ing. We hope that this message reflects all the sensitivity that we have shown in our work with pa tients over the past 20 years.

Martin Cousineau President and CEO of the Lobe clinics network

This makeover reaffirms the identity of the Lobe network and its desire to stay on top of the latest developments, to constantly evolve and renew itself while staying true to its CONNECT values: Commitment, Optimism, Networking, Novelty, Exact itude, Creativity, and Tenacity. Here’s to upholding these values for the next 20 years! ommitment

ptimism etworking ovelty xactitude reativity enacity

OLIVIER BERNARD

The Pharmachien to the Rescue

Certain health ambassadors have made it their mission to share their knowledge so they can raise awareness and help people make good decisions for their physical and mental health. Olivier Bernard, better known as the Pharmachien (or occasionally the Pharmafist in English), is one such ambassador.

We sat down with this science enthusiast, whose goal is to dispel certain misconceptions that can lead us astray in our quest for truth and solutions.

Demystifying Health

The healthcare field has always had an astounding array of information sources. There are facts and data for people of every persuasion. No wonder people get lost! And when you’re looking for knowledge about your health, it’s easy to take the easy way out and fall into the trap of folk remedies and “common knowledge.” People tend to overlook healthcare pro fessionals and do their own research online, but don’t always remember to fact-check the information they find. That’s why I became the Pharmachien 10 years ago: to educate and guide the general public through the maze of information and disinformation.

From One Journey to Another

I got my bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Laval University in 2004, followed by a master’s degree in molecular genetics in 2006. From there I started working as a pharmacist, where every day I would talk to customers who had preconceived ideas of the treatments or medications they needed because they had unverified information from different sources. And so I started educating people, one answer at a time. I wanted to be able to do it on a larger scale, and wondered if there was a way to create a platform that could reach a wider audience so I could set some things straight.

The Birth of the Pharmachien

My alter ego, the Pharmachien, was born in 2012. I created a website to inform people about science, sure, but mostly to help them develop critical think ing skills and make better choices about their health. I started using comics to break down subjects like over-the-counter medications and products, popular healthcare, seasonal illnesses, common ailments, diet, and more in a clear, humorous way. I want to make my readers feel like they aren’t being taught anything. Between books, comics, docuseries, podcasts, and everything else, my goal is to offer a variety of information sources for people who are otherwise less science-oriented. Many people who have watched Les Aventures du Pharmachien have told me that they never thought they would watch, let alone enjoy, a science or health show. That’s the greatest compliment anyone could give me!

A Relentless Passion

As long as people are interested, I’ll keep sharing content and educating healthcare professionals. My work is my passion, but it is demanding! I’m making myself a target for criticism, harsh comments, and sometimes even bullying. Challenging popular beliefs is no easy task, and information travels at light speed online. There’s very little room for error. Once something has been posted, it’s almost impossible to “take it back.” And you have to be prepared for a whole spectrum of reactions from the general public. But despite the few controversies I’ve been involved in, I stand by my words. When I develop my content, I always work with other professionals to make sure my sources are reliable. In each episode of Les Aventures du Pharmachien, I consult with two to three professionals for guidance. I need experts in many fields. There’s always something more to learn or to understand better, especially when it comes to taking care of you and your loved ones’ health!

Olivier Bernard

Thank you, Olivier Bernard, for this eye-opening interview on the importance of making sure you’re well informed and talking to professionals about your health! After all, healthcare professionals are our most valuable allies when it comes to keeping ourselves healthy.

Anne Dauphinais Editor and Communications Advisor

“When you’re looking for knowledge about your health, it’s easy to take the easy way out and fall into the trap of folk remedies and common knowledge.”

Reconnect With Your World: The Power of Hearing Well

by Marie-Josée Taillefer

The slogan “Reconnect With Your World” emphasizes a meaningful verb: “reconnect.” It implies rediscovering, finding something that was once lost or forgotten. It’s followed by the idea of “world.” What is yours made of? Your friends and family, your acquaintances, and the faces you see every day, of course. But your world is also your habits, your hob bies, your interests, those big and small pleas ures that make your life so rich. The solitude often brought by hearing loss disconnects you from that, and breaking that isolation reconnects you to a world you may have left behind—one that’s certainly worth reviving.

The Trap of Voluntary Solitude

At some point, we’ve all felt like we’ve lost control over a situation or that things have gotten out of hand. Whether it’s by personal choice or a change of circumstances, we sometimes find ourselves far from our comfort zones. That change can cause fear and confusion and may lead some to develop bad habits to cope.

Hearing loss is a reality that can be hard for many people to accept. Some people choose to hide it rather than talk about it. They go out less often and start avoiding their friends and families. It can seem like a less uncomfortable solution because they don’t have to face their condition whenever they see other people. But in reality, they’re isolating and depriving themselves of an essential ingredient for happiness: time with loved ones.

As humans, withdrawing from others is hard on our mental health. We need to communicate and connect. Our relationships are critical to our emo tional health. They’re a source of energy that helps reduce anxiety, manage our worries, and keep our brains active and creative! They’re even a driver of our physical wellness, since they encourage us to take care of ourselves. People with hearing loss can benefit from talking about it with their loved ones, who can often be amazing guides toward change.

Listening to Your Needs

With the support of others, we are encouraged to turn over a new leaf and see a hearing health professional. Then comes the evaluation, followed by solutions and changes to our routine. We need to welcome this transition lighthearted and with an open mind. Once we’ve taken the first steps, we enter an adjustment period. Let’s give ourselves time to acclimate. We, Quebecers, are particularly resilient and adaptable. After all, we live with four wildly different seasons, each of which brings new steps, new challenges, new realities. Although we often have some reserves, we always adapt and overcome them, one day at a time. We may not be ready to see the first snowflakes, but then we revel in the beautiful landscape it creates. We hope the heatwaves will be mild, then enjoy the sunshine they bring.

Learning to Reach Out and Welcome Guidance

Listening, understanding, and caring for those around us are powerful motivators. Our loved ones are an important part of our team. They’re there to guide our decisions and help us follow through with starting things like consulting a health professional. Our well-being is their priority, and they want to be there for us. Hearing-impaired people can benefit from being open to advice and recommendations. Hearing loss is often gradual, so it may not be obvious to the person living with it. That makes the people around them an invaluable reference point.

“Reconnect With Your World” speaks to the idea of unions, reunions, and working with others. “Reconnecting” means getting back in touch with your health and well-being. And your “world”, that important place where you can recharge your batteries through little pleasures like talking and listening to others.

Marie-Josée Taillefer Ambassador of the Lobe Clinics and Hearing Health

Outreach:

See You Soon!

Raising awareness is all about informing and enlightening people. It’s also about helping them reconnect to a reality that they might have forgot ten or failed to consider. As professionals practi cing at Lobe clinics, our goal is to reach as many people as possible as we share our knowledge about hearing health. That often involves creating opportunities to reach out and meet people where they are. Shaking hands, exchanging smiles, and making eye contact allows us to build trust that helps us take care of those who may have questions about their hearing health.

Taking Action Through Interaction

Human contact remains the best way to raise awareness. The events we organize or participate in let us get close to the public. People some times have reservations when it comes to calling or making an appointment at a clinic. However, when they come across our booth, they feel comfortable coming up to us and asking their questions. That first step is very important—it can be the nudge they need to book with us a free hearing consultation* (including a hearing evalua tion). At some events, we’re even able to help that process along by booking clinic appointments right at our booth.

We try to cover as much territory as possible and keep our eyes (and ears!) open for opportun ities. We also try to reach a wide audience that includes different age groups. For example, at music festivals we lend out adjustable earmuffs for children. Not only does it help with preven tion, it shows people that you can still enjoy a concert even when you’re protecting your hearing with custom earmolds or earmuffs. Hearing health goes far beyond wearing hearing aids; it’s a part of our well-being that deserves regular attention and care, just like our dental or visual health.

Many of the people who approach us work in noisy environments. They often reveal, directly or indirectly, that they have had doubts for some time but are hesitant to actually do anything about it. This is one of the biggest goals of our outreach activities: to meet with people so they’re more comfortable coming to see us sooner. We try to offset the wait and speed up the process so they make appointments on time and avoid the consequences of putting it off repeatedly.

Taking Care of Your Hearing Health… Even on Vacation!

In the spirit of improving access to hearing healthcare, the professionals practicing at Lobe clinics have been visiting certain campsites over the past several years. It’s an opportunity for people to have their hearing checked with the Decibelle™ app. The test works by playing sounds of different frequencies at different volumes through headphones. The person taking the test presses a button every time they hear a sound. At the end of the test, they can see whether they have a hearing loss or not. If so, the professional will help the person make an appointment at a clinic for a com plete hearing assessment.

With every conversation, we work to educate people. One person at a time, we are raising awareness about the importance of taking care of your hearing. And each meeting is another step forward for hearing health.

Talk to a hearing health professional for more information!

Christophe Grenier Audioprosthetist practicing in Thetford Mines and Disraeli

DecibelleMC App

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

Demystifying Ototoxicity

What Is Ototoxicity?

As the name suggests, ototoxicity is a form of toxicity that affects the structures of the inner ear, namely the cochlea (hearing), the vestibular system (balance), or both. It mainly happens because toxic molecules are easily absorbed by the inner ear but aren’t eliminated nearly as easily. The toxic substance sits in the ear, and that prolonged exposure can destroy sensory hearing cells (cilia).

Ototoxicity can be caused by medication or by frequent exposure to chemicals in the workplace, among others. It can cause a wide array of symptoms: vertigo, loss of balance, tinnitus, hyperacusis, temporary hearing loss, or even permanent deafness.

Before you start treatment with an ototoxic medication, you should make an appointment for a free* hearing consul tation (including a hearing evaluation) to have your hearing checked. This will let you track your hearing and properly measure any damage.

Workplace Ototoxicity

Medication

Around a hundred medications are known to be potentially ototoxic and cause hearing loss. How they affect the ears varies depending on several factors:

Dose

Duration of treatment

Individual sensitivity (genetic)

Use with other ototoxic drugs

Kidney failure that prevents the drug from leaving the system

Noise exposure

Age

Pre-existing hearing loss

Occupational deafness is mainly attributed to working in loud environments. However, certain workplace chemicals can also affect your hearing. Ototoxic agents in the inner ear can also make it more vulnerable to ambient noise. A study was conducted by the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) on the combined effects of chemicals and noise on hearing.1

Ask your healthcare professional for more information about the ototoxicity of certain drugs and substances.

*Permanent offer. 18 and over.

Roxanne Bernier

Audioprosthetist practicing in Quebec City –Lebourgneuf and Beaupré

References

1.

Médicaments ototoxiques : comment les identifier et prévenir leur ototoxicité? | VivaSon. (2021). Appareils auditifs et prothèses auditives | VivaSon - L’audition pour tous. https://www.vivason.fr/ votre-audition/maladies-auditives/medicaments-ototoxiques

Technologies for Your Everyday Life

Hearing technology is constantly evolving, and assistive listening devices are becoming increasingly common in different parts of everyday life. Whether it’s in class, at work, or during a night out, many different tools are now available for hearing-impaired people.

Bluetooth connection® for hands-free calls

When paired with a cell phone via Bluetooth, some hearing aids allow wearers to answer calls simply by pushing the press button. This new feature allows them to have a conversation without having to take their phone out of their pocket, case, or purse because the microphones built into the hearing aids pick up their voice and transmit it to the other person.

Integrated TV system for easy listening

This wireless system streams the sound of the TV right to the hearing aids. It has a range of 15 metres and more than one person can connect at once. It also comes with a mobile app that serves as a remote control to change the volume in the hearing aids, among other things.

Soothing ambient noise

iPhones and iPads have a feature that lets hearingimpaired people play relaxing background noise in their hearing aids. There are several sounds to choose from (like oceans, streams, and rain), and wearers can adjust the volume as needed. Not only do these sounds induce relaxation, they’re also great for masking tinnitus.

iPhone and iPad's New Feature

iPhone's New Feature

Personalized health tools

Wearers now have access to technologies that allow them to track their activity levels, such as how many steps a day they are taking. In addition, some hearing aids will promote cognitive stimulation by monitoring brain activity based on how long wearers use their hearing aids and how much social interaction they’re getting. When travelling abroad, there’s an app that will instantly translate speech and send it in the hearing aids.

Don’t hesitate to talk to your audioprosthetist to find out if your hearing aids are compatible with these technolo gies and functionalities.

References

Streaming Virtual Meetings and Calls - https://cdn.mediavalet.com/usil/starkeyhearing tech/7O4-G7AjhUG6dlUpwN3A6A/y6hVrHJ4yU2mBXaqgJB-vw/Original/Streaming%20 Virtual%20Meetings%20and%20Calls%20QuickTIP.pdf

Play rain sounds and other ambient noise with Background Sounds https://support.apple. com/en-ca/HT212775#:~:text=Activer%20Sons%20en%20arri%C3%A8re-plan,plan%20 pour%20activer%20la%20fonctionnalit%C3%A9.

Streaming Virtual Meetings and Calls - https://cdn.mediavalet.com/usil/starkeyhearing tech/7O4-G7AjhUG6dlUpwN3A6A/y6hVrHJ4yU2mBXaqgJB-vw/Original/Streaming%20 Virtual%20Meetings%20and%20Calls%20QuickTIP.pdf

Reimagining what a hearing aid can do - https://www.starkeycanada.ca/hearing-aids/ livio-artificial-intelligence-hearing-aids?sc_lang=en-CA

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

Audrey Roy Audioprosthetist practicing in Saint-Georges and Beauceville

Why You Should Have Your Hearing Checked Early

Just like dentist or optometrist appointments, free* hearing consultations should be done preventively, before obvious symptoms appear. That initial appoint ment, which includes a hearing evaluation, can be used as a baseline to determine whether your hearing has worsened during following visits. It’s also a chance to learn about your ear health and how to protect it.

Save Time, Act Now

Compared to other health topics, there isn’t as much information about hearing health so it remains a mys tery to many. What’s more, people tend to associate hearing loss with old age, so they don’t want to be labelled as “hearing impaired.” They prefer to wait until the signs can’t be ignored. However, it’s a risk to take; hearing loss doesn’t just affect your hearing health, but your mental and cognitive health too in the medium and long term.

Other people are often the first to realize that someone is losing their hearing. They might notice signs like:

→ turning up the volume on the TV;

→ asking others to repeat themselves often;

→ declining invitations repeatedly;

→ becoming more withdrawn in noisy social situations.

Because hearing loss occurs subtly and gradually, people find ways to compensate. This is where family and friends play an important role. They need to encourage hearing-impaired people to seek help as soon as possible, since it can be detrimental to brain health.

When sound signals are transmitted easily from the ears to the brain, they activate cognitive functions like memory, attention, perception, and speech. Incomplete signals activate those functions less. In fact, according to a Johns Hopkins study, people with hearing loss have 30% to 40% more cognitive decline than people with normal hearing.1 Getting help early can slow that decline and make readjusting to the hearing world much easier.

Tests for Children and Newborns

Preventive tests are also important in children, especially when they’re developing their speech. Addressing children’s hearing loss quickly prevents the brain from experiencing prolonged sensory deprivation, which can have serious consequences for language development.

Fortunately, some prob lems can be detected almost right from birth with a non-invasive test. The audiologist places a small device (like a small earbud) in the newborn’s outer ear. The device emits sounds that, when picked up by the inner ear (coch lea), produce a faint echo that can be analyzed by specialized equipment. The lack of echo may be a sign of hearing loss. This service is offered is some Lobe clinics (look for the symbol in the address list on pages 30 and 31).

As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Taking care of your hearing health now doesn’t just let you catch hearing loss quickly—it can also prevent or mitigate the physical, mental and cogni tive repercussions of hearing loss. It really is simple: the sooner you see a hearing health professional, the more quality time you gain for you and your loved ones!

Talk to a hearing health professional for more information!

*Permanent offer. 18 and over.

Audrey Neilson

Audioprosthetist

Reference

1. Hearing Loss Accelerates Brain Function Decline in Older Adults. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins Medicine, based in Baltimore, Maryland. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/ releases/hearing_loss_accelerates_brain_function_decline_in_older_adults

practicing in Quebec City –Lebourgneuf and Limoilou

Stress and Managing Tinnitus

When a person hears continuous or intermittent sound even though there’s no external stimulus, it’s called tinnitus. The tinnitus itself doesn’t typically change much when measured clinically. However, the feelings and discomfort it elicits can change dramatically depending on factors like stress, fatigue, and anxiety.

A Variable Experience

Tinnitus can be compared to hearing a leaky faucet. Assuming the dripping is steady, the volume meas ured with a sound level meter will remain consistent over time. However, the person who’s hearing that noise non-stop can experience it in many different ways. For instance, if they’re already under a lot of stress, the dripping will be a lot harder to tolerate. They’ll become more frustrated and stressed by the noise, whereas they might be indifferent if they were otherwise calm. The same idea applies to tinnitus. The person’s reaction to it can change throughout the day.

Breathe Well, Breathe Better!

One way you can manage the stress of tinnitus is through a breathing exercise called cardiac coher ence, heart coherence, or simply coherent breathing. It’s a practice that targets the relationship between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous sys

tems. The sympathetic nervous system raises your heart rate in response to anger, stress, or fear (much like the gas pedal on a car). The parasympathetic system counteracts that, helping the body return to a relaxed state. Becoming aware of these physiological reactions is the key to regaining control over your general condition and facilitating communication between the brain and the heart.

Steady breathing at a rate of about 6 breaths per minute helps regulate your heart rate and blood pres sure. If you do this for 5 minutes at a time 3 times a day (morning, noon, and night), it can lower your cor tisol (stress hormone) levels and raise your dopamine and serotonin (happiness hormones) levels to prevent depression and anxiety. There’s a magic number to help you remember: 365 (3 times a day, take 6 breaths per minute for 5 minutes).

Follow the Rhythm

There are also several free and paid apps for iOS and Android devices.1 Their goal is to help you steady your inhales and exhales without restricting or holding your breath. Most apps help you visualize the rhythm by following a ball that moves up and down on your screen. The pace is usually set at 5 seconds per inhale/exhale (for 6 breath cycles per minute), but you can change them in the app’s settings.

Cardiac coherence training is something everyone can and should do regularly. While it doesn’t reduce tinnitus, it can help you handle your body’s reaction to it when you’re stressed.

Talk to your audiologist for more information.

Martin Fortin Audiologist practicing in Quebec City and Beauce

Reconnecting With Your World!

People have had to make a lot of changes over the past few years. This is all the more true for children; their lives have been turned completely upside down. Cut off from their environments, their friends, and their normal routines, they’ve had to roll up their sleeves, learn under new conditions, and get used to seeing their friends and teachers through a computer screen.

Moving Forward Despite Adversity

As schools gradually reopened, students had to deal with a different set of challenges like being in bubbles and therefore apart from some friends, staying two metres apart, and wearing masks everywhere from the classroom to the school bus. In short, they had to adjust to a whole new reality. We had to ask a lot of them, but their resilience brought out the best in them and showed just how adaptable children really are. Now that life has somewhat returned to normal, the students of the École oraliste de Québec pour enfants malentendants ou sourds have been able to reconnect with their world: their social life, their classes, their teachers, their friends. And that ability to reconnect is crucial for their happiness and will ingness to continue despite the obstacles. It’s also a chance to get their bearings and rediscover their passions and ambitions.

The Strength of a Team

The École oraliste is a small community full of people with big hearts, passion, commitment, and dedication. Our unity has revealed itself in big ways. During the health crisis, everyone pulled together. We supported each other in finding solutions and “turning on a dime,” as the saying goes. We school staff also had the chance to reconnect through smiles hidden by masks but shining through our eyes, through little pats on the back, and through our unwavering team spirit.

Reconnecting with your world also means seeing parents enjoy being able to walk around the school again and see their children blossom more and more each day. It means welcoming visitors and partners who believe in our mission, who have supported and encouraged us for years. To reconnect with your world is to find your balance, your sense of normality. It’s what makes us strong, and always will!

Paggi Preschool

Audrey

Teacher École oraliste de Québec pour enfants malentendants ou sourds

That ability to reconnect is crucial for their happiness and willingness to continue despite the obstacles

Speaking

Maintaining eye contact

Offering to talk in person rather than on the phone

Repeating and rephrasing as needed

Having contact information for a friend or family member if needed

Of f ice Agent: It’s Not Just a Job, It’s

From the moment they first contact a clinic, patients are listened to, welcomed, and guided by our office agents. These friendly team mem bers know how to boost the confidence of people who have decided to take control of their hearing health. They understand each patient’s personal situation and make sure they receive the right service as soon as possible.

And so begins a wonderful relationship built on support and listening. The office agents are there for patients at every step of their journey. From the first phone call to scheduling appointments and follow-ups, they’re a bridge between patients and hearing health professionals. They make sure every question is answered and every problem is solved.

Beyond this important responsibility, office agents are responsible for making sure the clinics are welcoming and supportive. They listen to patients’ questions and concerns respectfully (and always with a smile!), and try to accommodate them as much as possible so they feel heard and understood.

Office agents are understanding and empathetic to hearing-impaired people who might have trouble distinguishing certain sounds, and therefore understanding everything that’s being said.

The office agents make it their duty to make each patient their priority and to give them undivided attention.

It’s critical that they do the same for the hearing health professionals practicing at the Lobe clinics. Clear, constant communication, as well as reciprocal respect for each other’s work, are key to this col laboration. Their mutual support lets them meet patients’ needs as fully as possible while providing outstanding customer service.

If you are interested in becoming an office agent at a Lobe clinic or at our head office, visit our website at carrieres.lobe.ca/en

a Mission!

Meggie Simon Clinical Operations Assistant in Quebec City

For that reason, they use a number of different communication strategies:

at a good pace, using a clear tone of voice

Diabetes Québec and Lobe: Prouds

Partners!

Diabetes Québec is proud to have partnered with Lobe to offer its members several exclusive hearing health protections. These members can now benefit from a 4 year coverage with the Peace of Mind Program +.

Who Is Diabetes Québec?

For over 65 years, Diabetes Québec has been an association of people living with diabetes in Quebec. Our mission is to inform, raise awareness and prevent diabetes.

Diabetes Québec advocates for the rights of people living with diabetes at the government level and with health services and com panies. We also contribute to the advancement of diabetes research by offering yearly grants to students and researchers.

Diabetes Québec contributes to improving knowledge and best prac tices in diabetes management by offering an array of accurate and reliable resources, tools, and services.

We Are the Reference in Diabetes in Quebec!

Trusted Diabetes Resources

In order to give people living with diabetes reliable and scientific information, the team of health professionals at Diabetes Québec develops guides, booklets, and educational pamphlets in French and English. We currently have 23 educational pamph lets on various diabetes-related topics.

Learn About Diabetes

Our diabetes school, Universi-D, offers a wide range of free courses in French and English for people living with diabetes and those around them. Universi-D also offers continuing education for healthcare professionals to improve their knowledge of the disease. See the courses on universi-d.com.

*The benefits and protections of the Peace of Mind Program + are offered for 4 years from the date of enrolment in the program. The Peace of Mind Program + cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion and is available until Decem ber 31, 2023. Offer not applicable on hearing aids paid for by a paying organization. Other conditions apply. All subject to change without notice. Visit a clinic for details.

About Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease for which there is currently no cure. Treatment focuses on keeping blood sugar levels in a healthy range, while avoiding hypoglycemia, to lower the risk of complications.

Did you know that 1.2 million Quebecers are affected by diabetes?

It’s an alarming situation, and the number of people being diagnosed each day around the world is growing fast.

Become a member of Diabetes Québec and receive our exclu sive quarterly French-language magazine, Plein Soleil, along with many other privileges.

Visit diabete.qc.ca. Questions

about diabetes?

Diabetes Québec offers the free InfoDiabetes service (available in French and English) to people living with diabetes, loved ones and health care professionals.

Our health professionals answer questions by phone, email, or chat.

514 259-3422 or 1 800 361-3504 infodiabete@diabete.qc.ca diabete.qc.ca

What Is Outer Ear Eczema?

Outer ear eczema is a skin condition that in volves local inflammation. It may be caused by allergies and occurs in people of all ages and genders. The auricle and the external auditory canal are covered with sensitive skin, making them especially likely to develop it.

It’s important to watch out for symptoms and care for it properly, because eczema can cause a number of complications.

Watch Out for These Symptoms

Eczema is characterized by redness and scaling (drying and cracking) of the affected area. There are often crusts as well, which can start oozing. The inflammation can cause itching and burning, usually accompanied by pain in the ear.

Some people even feel like they have hearing loss, because the inflammation causes the audi tory canal to narrow.

Possible Causes

It’s important to know what’s causing the eczema so you can apply the right treatment and heal the irritation.

As mentioned earlier, ear eczema can be caused by a contact allergy. If so, it’s important to identify what’s causing the irritation so you can stop it from touching your skin.

Beyond allergies, eczema can also be caused by softening of the skin if the auditory canal regularly gets wet. Frequent swimming or bathing and failure to dry off properly is often responsible for this excess moisture. In other words, make sure to dry your skin with a towel after you’ve been in the water. You can also clean the ears with shampoo or a mild soap. The backs of the ears and the junction between the ear lobe and the cheek tend to be moister, making them prime areas for eczema to develop.

However, over-cleaning or using harsh implements to clean the ears can also cause skin irritation. Ears need earwax to provide lubrication and create a barrier to harmful bacteria. The external ear canal usually emp ties itself from excess earwax on its own.

Treatment Options

Hydrocortisone cream helps relieve itching and skin inflammation. Antibiotic drops or corticosteroids may also be prescribed to cure eczema in the external auditory canal.

In addition to using prescribed treatments, people with eczema need to take precautions to avoid worsening the problem. For example, it’s important to avoid scratching because it can cause bleeding and slow the healing and scarring process.

Talk to an ENT specialist or a health professional to learn more about ear eczema.

Isabelle Deschênes Nurse at Infirmia

References

Eczéma de l’oreille externe : causes, symptômes et traitement. (n.d.). Concilio. https:// www.concilio.com/orl-pathologies-interventions-oreille-eczema-du-conduit-auditif-ex terne-cae

Types of Eczema. (n.d.). Eczema Society of Canada. https://www.eczemahelp.ca/ about-eczema/types-of-eczema/

Ear eczema - National Eczema Society. (n.d.). National Eczema Society. https://eczema. org/information-and-advice/types-of-eczema/ear-eczema/

Communication: The Key to a Healthy Social Life

Hearing is a complex sense. As we all know, the ears are where sound enters the body. But the brain plays an important role, too: it processes the sound signal and gives it meaning. For that reason, hearing aids need to transmit every sound in the environment to fully convey a message. This gives the brain access to the complete message (the detailed neural code) and lets it fully understand what’s going on in real life. Hearing aids help to compensate for hearing loss and reduce the effort of listening, as well as the associated fatigue, both of which can create social isolation and lead to depression in the long term. If you have hearing loss, you can also use an array of communication strategies and accessory technolo gies to make communication in social settings easier.

Communication strategies

Here are some communication tips:

{ Get the other person’s attention before starting the conversation.

{ Pay attention to the speaker’s non-verbal cues, like facial expressions and body language.

{ Encourage feedback by asking questions to clarify the subject and context.

{ Stay positive and forgiving of yourself.

{ Don’t be afraid to ask people to speak more slowly or articulate more.

{ Ask people to rephrase and confirm the topic you’re talking about as needed.

Choosing a good listening environment:

{ Choose a well-lit location and, if possible, keep your back to the window so the speaker isn’t against the light.

{ Sit at round tables so you’re closer to the other speaker(s).

{ Position yourself away from other noise sources and reduce background noise whenever possible (by turning music down, for example).

Communication Accessories

You also have access to accessory technologies, which aim to help people understand speech while conveying all sound cues. What’s more, those tech nologies are constantly evolving.

Remote Microphones and Frequency Modulation Systems

Combined with hearing aids, these accessories help overcome unwanted noise and improve speech understanding in noisy situations.

A Guide for You!

A free, comprehensive guide about communication strategies is available at all Lobe clinics. Talk to your hearing health professional during your appointment.

Inductive Loops

Certain public places, like movie theatres and performance venues, offer inductive loop systems. They filter out background noise so that you can listen to a single source of sound without being distracted.

To conclude, hearing aids and accessories can improve many areas of your life, but the bene fits are especially noticeable in social situa tions. You can also use simple yet effective communication strategies to help you enjoy your time with your friends and family.

Talk to an audioprosthesist or a specialized educator for more information. They’ll be able to make personalized recommendations for you and your situation.

References

Pichora-Fuller,

Smartphone Apps

Once installed and paired with your hearing aids, smartphone apps let you choose your listening program and adjust the volume to better cope with difficult listening situations.

Josée Guillemette Bilingual Audiology Support Specialist

Charles-Edouard Basile Business Development Manager Pediatric and Adult Trainer

Véronique Fugère Bilingual Audiology Support Specialist

Recovering Natural Sounds With an Innovative Accessory

It’s finally time for us to reconnect with our friends, family, and colleagues. Technology and innovation can help us with that connection to the world around us. This is especially true for people who wear hearing aid.

Using Technology to Understand Speech

Isolating useful signals from unwanted noise has long been a major goal for the hearing health field. It’s led to the development of advanced modern technolo gies that provide crucial benefits to hearing-impaired people.

Multi-speaker situations (like business meetings) can often be challenging for hearing aid wearers, since it can be hard to understand all the different messages.

Table Microphone

One company has developed a new 2.4 GHz table microphone in response to this major challenge. It’s a wireless accessory that focuses dynamically on the current speaker and sends their voice to the wearer’s hearing aids. It’s also versatile, since it can be used as a remote microphone (for example, when giving lectures) and a multimedia streamer (for example, when using a computer).

This powerful, practical, user-friendly accessory is an excellent way to interact with the world around you. It improves communication and understanding of speech so you don’t have to ask people to raise their voices or repeat themselves.

It offers up to 12 hours of battery, recharges in 2 hours, and works perfectly over up to 15 metres.

For more information, talk to an audioprosthetist or a specialized educator. They will be able to offer you recom mendations tailored to your needs.

Rizlane Bellamlih Territory Manager

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

Table microphone

A Little Planning Goes a Long Way!

Whether you’ll be gone for a day or a month, when you’re going on a trip you need to check if you’ve packed everything you need. What’s on your list? Have you thought about adding the care products for your hearing aids?

A few weeks before you leave, book an appoint ment with your audioprosthetist or specialized educator to have your hearing aids cleaned and checked. They’ll ensure your hearing aids are ready for the trip. They’ll also take a look at your ear canal to see if there are any obstructions that could affect your hearing.

You’ll also want to make sure you have all the products you need to care for your hearing aids. Stock up by visiting your nearest Lobe clinic or ordering right from our online store at boutique. lobe.ca/en. Bring enough to last for your entire trip. Not sure how much you’ll need? Talk to your audioprosthetist or specialized educator.

Essential Products to Keep on Hand

a. VapoLobe (available in 60 ml format for the plane) or ServiLobe for cleaning your hearing aids

b. ProtecLobe for securely storing your hearing aids and preventing moisture buildup

c. Replacement wax filters to avoid obstruction of your hearing aids

d. Batteries or charger

Food for Thought

ª Do you wear rechargeable hearing aids? If so, don’t forget to bring your charger and an adapter if the electrical outlets in your destination country are different from those in Quebec. You can also use a mini turbo charger or a charger with integrated battery if you are going camping.

ª When you travel, always have a container with a moisture tablet (ProtecLobe) nearby to put your hearing aids in when you remove them. That way, they’ll always be protected no matter what you do.

ª If you’re flying, you can keep your hearing aids on while going through the metal detectors.1

Reference

1. https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/walk-through-metaldetector|CATSA | ACSTA: Canadian Air Transport Security Authority

Talk to your audioprosthetist or specialized educator to learn more about using and maintaining your hearing aids.

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

Amélie Boulet-Moineau Specialized Educator practicing in Quebec City –Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures

Hearing: More than a ears thing

The hearing experience goes far beyond sound perception or wearing hearing aids. To understand it, we need to consider all the factors that influ ence it, like context, circumstances, intent, and emotion, as well as the hearing process as a whole.

Real-life Hearing

Hearing health professionals generally consider audi tory cognition and auditory processing when trying to understand hearing loss and address it with treatment and hearing aids.

Acoustic Scene

The situation or environment where listening takes place and that delivers sound from various sources to the ears.

Auditory Processing

The way sound is processed along the auditory pathway from the eardrum to the brain.

Auditory Cognition

The cognitive processes that allow listeners to perceive, interpret, and understand speech and sounds.

Evaluation and Behaviour

This process has a framework with four fundamental elements that are constantly interacting with one another. Figure 1. Real-Life Hearing Framework

The evaluation of the sound perception (i.e. whether it was satisfactory or unsatisfactory) and the listener’s response to it. If the sound is evaluated as unsatisfactory, this may lead to a change in behaviour that can affect the experi ence of the acoustic scene, therefore closing the loop in the framework shown in Figure 1.

This does provide satisfactory results in most cases. However, some hearing-impaired individuals find that their hearing aids aren’t doing as much as they had hoped. The reason is simple: hearing and listening are more than just a matter of auditory cognition and processing.

It is also important to take the acoustic scene, as well as evaluation and behaviour, into consideration, since sound perception is also influenced by the person’s context, circumstances, intentions, and emotions.

By looking at all four elements, we can better under stand real-life hearing and how it affects all parts of a person’s life.

Integrating Artificial Intelligence

Hearing and comprehension are influenced by environmental and emotional factors. This means that it’s critical to understand people’s individual listening needs if we want to respond with truly useful solutions.

One hearing aid manufacturer has chosen to address real-world, real-life hearing by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into its hearing aids. This allows the wearer to adjust and optimize their listening experi ence to suit their preferences, needs, and listening intent in any situation they are in.

Talk to your audioprosthetist to learn more about hearing aid technologies.

Janic Lauriault Audiologist

References

Søgaard Jensen, N. (2018). Real-Life Hearing - Part 1: The Theory Behind. Widexpress (39). Downloaded from 502 4867 001 01.pdf (widex.biz)

Søgaard Jensen, N. (2018). Real-Life Hearing - Part 2: Assessment and Solutions. Widexpress (40). Downloaded from 9 502 4870 001 01.pdf (widex.biz)

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

Jaw Problems and Tinnitus

Can jaw problems cause tinnitus over time?

As it turns out, sometimes they can!

But how does that work, exactly? Well, first you need to know that tinnitus can be caused by (often involuntary) tension in the jaw muscles. That tension can affect the eardrum tensor muscle (the tensor tympani), which is supposed to prevent the eardrum from vibrating too much and causing a buzzing in the ear.

Changes to the muscle can also damage the cilia, auditory sensory cells that line the inner ear and are responsible for picking up and amplifying sound signals. Finally, repeated muscle contractions can cause inflammation in the trigeminal nerve, which runs into the lower and upper jaw and plays a role in both the jaw and the ear.

The Jaw Under Pressure!

One known cause of this inflammation is brux ism—grinding your teeth. It’s an unconscious movement that puts excessive pressure on the muscles, tissues, and structures surrounding the jaw, especially the masticatory muscles, or “chewing muscles”. That pressure, in turn, can cause tinnitus.

Another type of jaw dysfunction that can induce tinnitus is Costen’s syndrome, which causes all of the muscles in the jaw to over-contract when chewing. Other symptoms include a feeling of plugged ears and unpleasant pressure in the ears. Finally, some tinnitus can be the result of a mis alignment of the temporomandibular joint. If so, realigning the jaw could do more than just reduce muscle tension and realign the teeth; it could also attenuate your tinnitus.

Talk to a Professional

It’s important to see a qualified professional, like an ENT specialist or a dentist, to confirm whether you have a jaw problem and identify the cause. From there, you may be referred to a physiotherapist or prescribed pain medication. That said, it’s important to know that while we understand that temporomandibular disorders (TMD) can cause tinnitus, treating them won’t necessarily make the tinnitus go away.

If you have any questions about your hearing, talk to your hearing health professional.

Caroline Guay Audioprosthetist practicing in Quebec City –Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures

References

Les acouphènes peuvent-ils découler de problèmes dentaires? - Traiteracouphenes.fr. (n.d.). Traiter-acouphenes.fr. https://www.traiter-acouphenes.fr/ les-acouphenes-peuvent-ils-decouler-de-problemes-dentaires/ Kamami, Y.-V. (n.d.). Les acouphènes peuvent-ils provenir de vos dents? https://dr-kamami-orl-paris.fr/content/les-acouphènes-peuvent-ils-provenirde-vos-dents

Les Saveurs du Théâtre 2022: Another

Hit!

On May 10, we held our 22nd Les Saveurs du Théâtre event at our partner venue, the Théâtre Capitole. The evening is one of our biggest fundraisers, and it was a great success! More than 330 people, including several dignitaries, attended—a record!

The evening was presented by Quebecor, in partnership with Lobe and Volvo de Québec, and under the honor ary presidency of Mr. André Labbé, regional vice-presi dent of RBC Royal Bank. It raised over $120,000, some $14,600 of which was thanks to the virtual auction presented by Desjardins.

The event also highlighted the benefits of our work with young people with severe speech or hearing impair ments who attend the École oraliste de Québec pour enfants malentendants ou sourds.

During the dinner show, guests enjoyed an amazing piece called Viva Italia! The play, featuring more than 50 students, was specially written and directed by Amélie Plaisance, drama teacher at the school, based on an original idea by École oraliste co-founder Carole Girard. The audience was also treated to a fun surprise: a duet between René Simard and Damya Tamadas, a young student from the school.

In addition, to mark the 20th anniversary of the school, recognized by the Ministry of Education, almost 20 for mer students went on stage to share testimonials about their time at this amazing institution and give updates on their lives after school.

The first two recipients of the Bourse Josée and Farouk Cheïkha had the privilege of receiving a generous $1,000 scholarship from Josée and Farouk Cheïkha themselves.

The evening was hosted by an exemplary duo: Maxime Denis, weekend anchor at TVA Nouvelles Québec, and Mathis Pelletier, a former student of the school. During this memorable evening, I had the honour of receiving a beautiful homage from the school administration, who expressed their gratitude with great kindness.

We will remember this touching evening for a long time. It was made possible thanks to the exceptional generos ity of everyone who helped bring it to life: our partners, participants, donors, honorary sponsors, ambassadors, organizing committee, school team, and volunteers. We would also like to thank our media partners: Le Journal de Québec, TVA Québec, Lobe Magazine, and Prestige Magazine.

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.

Caption (left to right): Isabelle Savage, Executive Director of the École oraliste de Québec; André Labbé, Honorary President, Regional Vice-President RBC Royal Bank; Nathalie Langevin, General and Sales Manager at TVA Québec and the Journal de Québec; Rachel Léonard, President of Volvo de Québec; Sandra Ferguson, Exec utive Director of the Fondation Sourdine; and Martin Cousineau, President of the Board of Directors of the Fondation and President and CEO of the Lobe network.

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU to all of you for your generosity and support!

Sandra Ferguson Executive Director of the Fondation Sourdine

Photo credit : Marc Bérubé

First Barbie With Hearing Aids

In June 2022, Mattel released its first-ever Barbie doll with hearing aids. Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls, said in a news release that “children should also be encour aged to play with dolls that don’t resemble them to help them understand and cele brate the importance of inclusion.”1

Benefits for Kids

By releasing a doll that wears hearing aids, the company is raising aware ness and teaching kids about divers ity. Not only does it make them more aware about the differences a friend or family member might have, it also lets them be more comfortable with their own hearing aids and feel less isolated from their hearing peers. Barbie has been making more and more of an effort to highlight diversity and inclusion in recent years, for example with the release of a wheelchair-using Barbie in 2019.

Giving Hope and Celebrating Diversity

Mattel has been pushing boundaries throughout most of its 63-year history. It was the first to offer female dolls in male-dominated professions, like the first soldier Barbie and the first athlete and Olympic medallist Bar bie. The company has also begun to incorporate body and ethnic diversity into its collection in recent years. The new dolls give young kids a wide variety of inspiring role models while celebrating diversity, inclusion, and self-improvement. This Barbie with hearing aids is certainly a big step forward for hearing-impaired children.

Noémie Rocque Editor and Communications Advisor

Reference

1. Dolan, L. (2022, May 12). Barbie unveils its first-ever doll with hearing aids. CTV News. https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/ barbie-unveils-its-first-ever-doll-with-hearing-aids-1.5899681

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

Addresses

of the Lobe clinics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chaudière-Appalaches

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

Audiologists : 418 228-7071

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

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

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

Granby 215, boul. Montcalm, suite 130 Granby Qc J2G 5C2 Audiologists : 450 762-2148

Audioprosthetists: 450 762-2149

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

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 Au dioprosthetists: 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

Châteauguay Complexe médical Châteauguay 288, boul. d’Anjou, suite 210 Châteauguay Qc J6K 1C6

ENT specialists : 450 844-6868

Audiologists : 450 844-6858

Audioprosthetists: 450 844-6848

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

Valleyfield 1020, boul. Monseigneur-Langlois Suite 200, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield Qc J6S 0M2

Audiologists : 450 747-8651

Audioprosthetists: 450 747-8652

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

Montréal • Angus Clinique médicale Angus 2815, rue Sherbrooke Est, suite 250 Montréal Qc H2K 1H2

Audiologists : 438 844-8134

Audioprosthetists: 438 844-8133 Préfontaine

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

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 Audiologists : 438 844-5543

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

Montréal • Saint-Laurent Complexe médical Saint-Laurent 1605, boul. Marcel-Laurin, suite 120 Montréal Qc H4R 0B7

ENT specialists : 514 788-7753

Audiologists : 514 788-7752

Audioprosthetists: 514 788-7751 Côte-Vertu

Montréal • Saint-Léonard

Les Terrasses Langelier 6383, rue Jean-Talon Est Montréal Qc H1S 3E7

Audiologists : 514 788-3738

Audioprosthetists: 514 798-0915

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

Outaouais

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

Gatineau • Aylmer

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

Gatineau • Buckingham

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

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

Head Office

Complexe Vision

725, boul. Lebourgneuf, suite 303 Québec Qc G2J 0C4

Tel.: 418 877-7222

Fax: 581 814-6260

Email: courrier@lobe.ca

Audiology services offered in the clinics:

0-6 months, 0-99 years 3-99 years, 5-99 years

Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)

Vertigo Vestibular screening Metro station Service covered by the RAMQ

Book an appointment: 1 866 411-5623

Lobe continues its mission to be the hearing health and communication reference by being on social media. Follow us on your favourite platforms!