Frequently Asked Questions
1) Where is CHIP
located and how do I get there by public
transportation?
2) Do you give hearing tests?
3) How do I get a hearing test?
4) Do you sell hearing aids?
5) What can be done for tinnitus?
6) What is Ménière’s
disease?
7) How do I become a member?
8) Are there any costs to attend seminars,
workshop, and courses?
9) How do I register for seminars, workshops,
courses?
10) How do I find out about dates and times?
11) Can I make an appointment to the Resource
Centre by email?
1) Is there something to help
me with the telephone?
2) Is there something to help me with the television?
3) Do you sell assistive equipment?
4) What is an Environmental Control System?
5) When I use my cell phone with my
hearing aid, I get buzzing, static noise.
1) Which devices are available through medicare?
2) How do I qualify for medicare devices?
3) What documents do I need to receive devices?
1) What is the difference between
analog and digital hearing aids?
2) Can anything be done about background noise?
3) What is a directional microphone?
4) What causes feedback (whistling hearing aid)?
5) What are the different styles of hearing
aids?
6) Which one is the best one?
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Where is CHIP located and how do I get there
by public transportation?
CHIP is located at 3500 Decarie Boulevard, on the west side of Decarie in the Mackay Center building between Sherbrooke St. and Cote St. Antoine Rd.
By bus: The #24 stops at the corner of Decarie and Sherbrooke West. Walk a half block (uphill).
By Metro:
From the Villa Maria Station (many stairs, long escalator) take #24 bus to Cote St-Antione Rd. Walk a half block (downhill).
From the Vendome Station (only 42 steps total from street level to train level) take the #105 one stop. Walk a half block (uphill) north on Decarie. Cross Sherbrooke and walk another half block north.
Do you give hearing tests?
CHIP has neither licensed audiologists nor facilities to conduct hearing tests.
How do I get a hearing test?
You must make an appointment with an audiologist at any major hospital, Mackay Centre, or health centre. As long as you have a valid Quebec medicare card there is no charge. However, some health centres may charge a fee.
Do you sell hearing aids?
Hearing aids may be purchased at any hearing aid dealer. CHIP has a list of dealers by area; you may choose one close to your home if you prefer.
At the CHIP Resource Centre you may obtain general information on the different type and style of hearing aids and their advantages and disadvantages. You should also consult with your audiologist and hearing aid dealer which type is best for your particular hearing loss. Armed with this information you will be in a better position to obtain the best type and fit that suits you.
What can be done for tinnitus?
In very general terms, tinnitus is described as random noise such as ringing in the ear when no external noise exists. There are tinnitus maskers that create sounds that override the ringing, buzzing, hissing, humming, etc. Some people claim limiting their consumption of caffeine, nicotine, salt, or alcohol may help. The cause and treatment of tinnitus can be very complex and you should consult with your doctor.
What
is Ménière’s disease?
Ménière’s disease is an inner ear problem that may cause vertigo, severe dizziness, tinnitus, nausea, or variable loss of hearing. The disorder usually affects one ear and is a common cause of hearing loss. There may be a feeling of pressure in the ear. The symptoms usually occur suddenly.
How do I become a member?
You can drop in or call the office to obtain a membership form, or you can download it from our download section.
Are there any costs to attend seminars, workshop,
and courses?
Most seminars and workshops are free. There is a modest fee for some courses. See our Calendar of Events for details.
How do I register for seminars, workshops,
courses?
In the spring and fall, CHIP announces their courses, workshops, and seminars. You may register for any of these by calling the office or downloading the form.
How do I find out about dates and times?
Click the Calendar of Events on our home page. The information will be displayed in calendar format. For detailed information, click on the event.
Can I make an appointment to the Resource
Centre by email?
Unfortunately, at this time, appointments are only taken by calling the CHIP office.
ASSISTIVE DEVICES
Is there something to help me with the telephone?
There are specially adapted telephones with a loud ringer and facilities to increase the volume of the incoming voice. The ringer volume and tone can be adjusted. Some models have a special cup on the handset to reduce feedback (whistling) with hearing aids. Others have a speakerphone and caller-ID. Some models can be used with headset, neck loop, or hands free devices. There are also special telephone amplifiers that attach to the phone.
Is there something to help me with the television?
There are IR (Infrared) and Radio Frequency (RF) systems specially made to watch TV. These devices can be used with or without hearing aids. For hearing aids equipped with a telephone coil, a neck loop or silhouette can be used.
Do you sell assistive equipment?
We do not sell any equipment. However, sources of supply can be recommended.
What is an Environmental Control System?
These systems monitor the environment in your home. If the doorbell or telephone rings, the system will alert you by flashing lights or portable receivers that vibrate.
When I use my cell phone with my hearing aid,
I get buzzing, static noise.
The interference is caused by the cell phone
antenna that conflicts with the hearing aid,
especially a digital hearing aid. The further
away the antenna from the hearing aid, the
less interference. A hands free device can
be used to alleviate this problem.
RAMQ (Medicare)
Which devices are available through medicare?
It depends on your level of hearing loss, whether you are working, or a student. Usually, you can have an adapted telephone, personal amplifier, IR System to watch TV, among other devices. RAMQ will also provide an entry-level digital hearing aid every 7 years.
How do I qualify for medicare devices?
Ask your audiologist after the hearing test to see if you qualify. Your hearing loss must be at a certain level in your better ear. The qualifications for hearing aids and assistive devices are slightly different.
What documents do I need to receive devices?
You need 3 documents: a certificate from your Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor certifying you have a permanent hearing loss; a recent audiogram (hearing test) by a licensed audiologist; and finally, a recommendation from your audiologist attesting that you require assistive devices.
HEARING AIDS
What is the difference between analog and
digital hearing aids?
In basic terms, an analog is like an ordinary amplifier in that it amplifies all sounds around you whether it is conversation or background noise. Digital hearing aids have the ability to control background noise, feedback, and enhance certain frequencies if necessary. The sound quality can be much better than analog hearing aids. Most manufacturers today produce only digital models and analogs are being phased out.
Can anything be done about background noise?
Background noise can never be eliminated, but they can be lowered for the hearing-impaired to help carry on a conversation in a noisy environment.
The hearing aid can be equipped with a directional microphone; or a special hand-held microphone attached directly to a Behind the Ear (BTE) hearing aid. Certain assistive devices may also help if the microphone is held very close to the person you are
speaking to. If the hearing aid is equipped with a directional microphone you can position yourself with the noise behind you if possible.
What is a directional microphone?
The purpose of a directional microphone is to reduce the intensity of background or ambient noise. In a hearing aid, it responds to sound coming from a specific location usually from the rear where unwanted noise occurs. It is activated automatically or manually depending on the hearing aid. Most Behind the Ear (BTE) hearing aids can be equipped with a directional microphone as an option. Some FM Systems for hearing aids have multiple microphones and the beam of the microphone can be adjusted from broad to very narrow to reduce unwanted background noise.
What causes feedback (whistling hearing aid)?
Feedback is usually caused by sound escaping from the hearing aid and re-entering the microphone. Problems may be: The hearing aid may not fit snugly in the ear canal, the plastic tubing for BTEs may be cracked allowing sound to escape or the volume control could be too high. Your hearing aid dealer can test the unit and make the necessary adjustments.
What are the different styles of hearing aids?
There are 4 basic styles: Completely in the Canal (CIC), In the Canal (ITC), In the Ear (ITE), and Behind the Ear (BTE). Each has advantages and disadvantages. CIC is the smallest and sit deep in the ear canal; therefore it is not visible from the outside. The BTE is the largest and most versatile; it hooks behind the ear connected by plastic tubing that is attached to a custom made ear mold that sits in the outer ear. If a BTE must be repaired, it can easily be removed from the ear mold and replaced with a loaner hearing aid. This is not possible with the other three styles.
Which one is the best one?
There is no “one size fits all”. It depends on your level of hearing loss, the features you want, the size of the ear canal, and other conditions. You should discuss with your audiologist and hearing aid dealer which is best for your particular hearing loss. It must be remembered that hearing aids will not restore your normal hearing.
