Issuu

Volume 13, number 3, 2020

E EE OM FR IT H

KE TA

Fire!

Can You Hear the Alarm? How Can We

Prevent Falls?

Newborn Hearing Screening

Could Red Wine Be Good for Your Hearing?

FRANCE D’AMOUR

Looking Foward

Marie-Josée Taillefer's

Column

Winter Is Coming Leaves are falling and the temperature is dropping. It’s a time to stay indoors, wrapped up in a blanket and sipping on a warm drink in front of a good movie. When you put it that way, winter seems cozy and idyllic. Of course, we all know it’s not always like that. Winter also means snow, cold, and minor illnesses. Especially this year, when a new virus is going around—one that we’re becoming more and more familiar with, but that may still have a few surprises in store for us. That’s why it’s more important than ever to be proactive. Prevention has been a fact of life for many months now. We’ve been doing a lot to protect ourselves and others. We can’t give up now, though. We need to keep doing everything in our power to keep everyone safe and healthy. This issue is all about prevention, in all its forms. Among other things, fire prevention and fall prevention will be covered. You’ll also find an interview with the lively France D’Amour, who is as passionate about music as ever! Happy reading! Have a nice winter and take care of yourself! Marie-Josée Taillefer

Ambassador of Lobe clinics and of hearing health

Marie-Josée Taillefer's virtual conferences Our ambassador now offers virtual conferences on hearing health where she discusses her journey in the field of hearing! A great activity to participate in, in the comfort of your home.

Visit lobe.ca to discover her complete schedule.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

LOOKING FORWARD

France D'Amour's Interview

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY

VOLUME 13, NUMBER 3, 2020

PULSATILE TINNITUS

Editor Julie Grenier-Turcot

HEARING AIDS:

Graphic designer Andrée-Anne Michel

Marie-Josée Taillefer's Column

What Is It?

Appropriate Volume and Protecting Your Hearing

ALL ABOUT EARWAX

COULD RED WINE BE GOOD FOR YOUR HEARING?

NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING IN A FEW QUESTIONS

HOW CAN WE PREVENT FALLS?

FIRE! CAN YOU HEAR THE ALARM?

PROTECTING YOUR EARS:

It’s Important!

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

WEAR A MASK THAT MAKES YOU SMILE!

SOLUTIONS FOR IMPROVING COMMUNICATION

GOING HUNTING? PROTECT YOUR HEARING!

ALL YOUR GIFTS IN ONE PLACE!

SHIELDING OURSELVES AGAINST MISINFORMATION

A UNIQUE BACK-TO-SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

Printed in Canada

PROTECTING SENIORS THROUGH PREVENTION

WHAT’S NEW IN THE LOBE CLINICS?

All trademarks are the property of Lobe Santé auditive inc./Bulletin produced by Publications Lobe.

ADDRESSES OF THE LOBE CLINICS

Publications Lobe 725, boulevard Lebourgneuf, suite 303 Québec (Québec) G2J 0C4 Tel.: 418 877-7222 Fax: 581 814-6260 Email: courrier@lobe.ca www.lobe.ca

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?

Do birds have ears? Even if you never see them, birds do have ears! They are two small holes hidden through their feathers. In fact, all vertebrates, animals that have a skeleton, have an inner ear. Thanks to their ears, birds are able to distinguish sounds made at two thousandths of a second intervals, which is ten times more than humans! Reference: Québec Science

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INTERVIEW | FRANCE D'AMOUR

/// You released Best Of in 2018. Does that mean you’re starting to look back on your life?

/// Do you think it’s harder to break into music in Québec today than it was 25 years ago?

No, not at all. I wanted to make a greatest hits album so people could find their favourite songs. People have been requesting it for a long time, and after 11 albums, I felt it was the right time.

I’m not sure. It’s true that before, there were fewer people so it was easier to get established. On the other hand, we have social media now, and that makes it a lot easier to get visibility. Every era has its upsides and downsides. But I think talented people always make it in the end.

/// You’ve had a number of big hits. How did you choose which ones to put on the album? I chose the songs that were played the most on the radio. I couldn’t necessarily pick my favourites, because they usually weren’t as popular. An album can only be 70 minutes long, too, so I only had room for 18 songs.

/// Mon frère is one of those songs, and you’ve said that people have been finding more meaning in the lyrics in the past few years. How often do you hear that? This song has really seen a revival recently. I think a lot of people are seeing it from a totally different angle now. Of course, some people understood it all right off the bat. If I had written that song in 2017, it’s pretty clear to me that I would’ve called it #MeToo. I’ve never found a clearer way to frame that song.

/// You’ve always been very involved with the next generation of musicians. Is that still the case? I’m less involved, I’m not doing as much, but it’s still something that’s very important to me. A while ago, I was the spokesperson for a show that brought together a bunch of young girls and I was able to give them lessons and advice. I really like the next generation. They have a fire in their bellies. When you first get started in the music business, you really want to make it big. It’s that fire that drives you forward that much faster. It gives you a lot of experience quickly, and that type of energy really inspires me!

/// Do you lose that energy over time? I never did. Personally, I know that if I ever lose that fire, that energy, I’ll change careers and go back to school [laughs]. The day I lose that fire is the day I leave the music industry.

/// What project have you enjoyed most during your career? Hopefully, one that hasn’t happened yet! I believe the best is yet to come. I’m not a nostalgic person. I live my life believing that my next album will be the best one, that I haven’t written my best songs yet, and that my biggest laughs are ahead. I’ve set the bar high, and I’m looking forward!

/// You’ve spent most of your life around music and noise. How do you take care of your hearing? Is that something you pay attention to? I have tinnitus. I work in the music industry, so there’s definitely more of a risk of developing tinnitus. The last time I saw a professional, he said my audiogram had a “rock n’ roll curve” [laughs]. Even so, I try not to be dramatic about it. I try to see my tinnitus as a friend I have to live with. I try to find ways to stop it from getting in my way.

"I try to see my tinnitus as a friend I have to live with. I try to find ways to stop it from getting in my way."

France D Amour

/// Do you have an auditory memory that you cherish? I’m not someone who cries easily, but a good song will often make me a bit teary. Every time I hear John Mayer’s song Gravity, I start crying. I tend to cry from beauty rather than sadness. Thank you for talking to us, France. Your energy is contagious! PICTURES: MELANY BERNIER

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Better Safe THAN SORRY

I find that prevention has become more and more important as time goes on. I really wasn’t always like this, though! I think it’s all the experiences I’ve had over the years that allow me to think ahead.

Learning to Think Ahead

I have a lot of stories about times when I wasn’t so prepared. I remember one time, when we were going on a family trip, we were rushing out of a taxi. We tried to make sure we had all of our bags and hadn’t forgotten anything. Unfortunately, in our haste, we left behind a bag containing all our personal belongings! So now, whenever we go on a trip, we’re each responsible for certain bags. Everyone needs to make sure they can account for those bags. We learn from experience, and it makes us more careful, better organized, and more forward-thinking. Today, I try to prevent, as much as possible, what could go wrong. I think that’s the case for a lot of parents. As time goes on, we become more and more used to trying to plan everything for our children. It becomes kind of second nature to us.

An experience that marks a turning point in my relationship with prevention is the hosting of L'épicerie broadcast on Radio-Canada. As part of the program, we worked with a team of professionals to conduct a number of product tests. We checked the quality and reliability of different products so we could give viewers the facts and help them make better choices. After testing so many products, I realized that effectiveness varies greatly from one product to another and that it’s important to do research to determine what best suits our needs. You can avoid problems by choosing a proven product from the start. Facts have also become more important to me over time. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for prevention, but I’m mostly about the facts. Because facts don’t lie. I believe professional recommendations are important, because I know they’re based on facts. I know I can rely on them. I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on everything, even if I have a lot of different interests; that's why following professional recommendations is really the best way to make sure you’re prepared.

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COLUMN | MARIE-JOSÉE TAILLEFER

This is especially true for health recommendations, where prevention really is part of everything. Think of all the anti-smoking prevention campaigns, or the campaigns to remind people why it’s important to have certain medical exams. The same is true of hearing health. We focus a lot on prevention. Because the faster you act, the sooner you can make corrections and get better results. However, statistics show that people still wait too long before consulting a hearing health professional about their hearing loss, even if they suspect they have it. The point is that sometimes people simply aren’t aware and don’t know about the options available to them. Other times, though, people are reluctant to think ahead. It’s as if prevention makes it more real. Think about it: just because someone decides to see a nutritionist doesn’t automatically mean they have to go on a diet. Just like having a hearing assessment doesn’t mean you’ll need hearing aids. It’s simply a way to check in and make sure we’re able to make the best decisions for ourselves.

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By acting preventively, we’re limiting the consequences as much as possible. Of course, you can’t control everything—sometimes, even with foresight, things don’t turn out the way we’d hoped. Despite this, our best asset is still to stay abreast of the information provided by professionals in order to make more informed choices. All my love, Marie-Josée Taillefer

Ambassador of Lobe clinics and of hearing health

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. Consulted on September 2, 2020.

In hearing health the faster you act, the sooner you can make corrections and get better results.

Pulsatile Tinnitus WHAT IS IT?

Tinnitus—a sound heard by a person when there’s no apparent outside source—is a fairly well-known condition. Even if you’ve never had it yourself, you probably know someone who hears a constant ringing or buzzing in their ears. While tinnitus itself is common, some types, including pulsatile tinnitus, remain relatively unknown. People with pulsatile tinnitus hear a rhythmic sound that matches their heartbeat. The sound is often described as pounding or hissing, similar to what you might hear during or after physical effort. This sound, caused by the circulatory system, is made worse by conductive hearing loss caused by conditions such as otitis media or eardrum perforation.

Cause What really differentiates this type of tinnitus is that it’s related to an abnormality in the circulatory system. That means its cause and origins can be found more easily, and the condition can even be treated in some cases. If the pulsatile tinnitus is caused by high blood pressure or intracranial hypertension, for example, managing the underlying condition will get rid of the tinnitus. If the tinnitus is caused by an anatomical abnormality, like a venous malformation, an aneurysm or a tumour, an ENT specialist will assess whether the treatment could be surgical.

If you think you may have tinnitus, with or without hearing loss, you can have your hearing assessed and see a hearing health professional to find out what solutions are available to you.

Diagnosis Diagnosis begins with a visit to an ENT specialist, who will examine the patient's ear to rule out earwax buildup or middle ear infection and check the blood vessels in the neck and ear area using a stethoscope. He will also investigate the patient's pre-existing conditions and medications to determine if they may cause or contribute to the tinnitus. He may also prescribe other tests if he feels it is necessary. A hearing assessment with an audiologist could be recommended to detect the presence of conductive hearing loss, the cause of which would not be visible to the naked eye. François Lussier Audioprosthetist practicing in Sherbrooke

Reference : - Wu, V., Cooke, B., Eitutis, S., Simpson, M., & Beyea, J. A. (2018). Prise en charge de l’acouphène. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, 64(7), e293–e298.

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Hearing Aids:

APPROPRIATE VOLUME AND PROTECTING YOUR HEARING Hearing aids are designed to help their wearers hear better. In fact, they help people understand better. That said, you can rest assured that hearing aids will never be loud enough to damage the residual hearing of their wearers.

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

In fact, hearing aids won’t cause discomfort by amplifying overly loud sounds. Of course, they do occasionally need to produce loud sounds, but if Audioprosthetists program the MPO into the they made their wearers uncomfortable (by produhearing aids, because it can vary depending on the cing sudden sounds, for example), nobody would model and the extent of the wearer’s hearing loss. want to wear them! Overly loud sounds could also The audioprosthetist will ensure that encourage wearers to manually turn “Hearing aids won’t the MPO offers the patient the best down the volume on their hearing compromise between comfort and aids. However, doing this makes the cause discomfort effectiveness. After all, MPO settings hearing aids less able to process by amplifying overly can affect the sound quality of the other, necessary sounds. amplification and the ability to hear loud sounds.” As a solution to this issue, modern clear, intelligible speech sounds. hearing aids use non-linear amplificaThey also allow the hearing aids to reproduce tion, which increases the volume of quiet sounds the varying volumes of the noises around us. and decreases the volume of loud sounds. When If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get the surrounding sounds reach a certain threshin touch with your audioprosthetist! old and the amplified volume reaches potentially uncomfortable levels, a limiting or clipping system kicks in to define the maximum output level, Charles-Edouard Basile or MPO (Maximum Power Output). Business Development Manager

Reference - Harvey Dillon, Hearing Aids, Second Edition, Thieme, New York, 2012.

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ALL ABOUT

Earwax

Earwax is a self-cleaning substance that our bodies produce to protect the ears from dust, debris, and bacteria. It can be found in the external auditory canal.

Recognizing

Symptoms

Most of the time, jaw movements naturally work earwax out of the ear. However, in some people it can build up to the point where it completely plugs the ear, which makes listening much more difficult.

It’s not always easy to recognize an earwax buildup, but here are the most common signs:

In general, people who wear hearing aids, earplugs, or earbud headphones are more likely to have earwax buildup. Older people and those with congenital ear deformities or a specific shape of ear canal are also more likely to have earwax buildup in their ears.

+ Feeling of fullness

or “plugging” in the ear

+ + + + + +

Preventing Buildups Fortunately, you can prevent earwax from building up. It’s important to avoid inserting small objects (like cotton swabs, bobby pins, or needles and other sharp objects) into your ears. Doing so pushes the earwax even deeper into the ear, which can make things worse. You could also injure yourself and damage your eardrum, which could permanently affect your hearing. All you need to do is use a damp cloth to clean your ears every day. After you clean, make sure to tilt your head to the side so that water can drain out. Next, use a towel to dry your ear. This is especially important if you’ve had an eardrum perforation or ear tubes. If you have these signs, an ENT specialist or hearing health professional will need to perform an otoscopy to check for earwax buildups. If you do have one, the safest way to have it removed is to see an ENT specialist.

Noises in the ear Pain or itching in the ear Hearing loss Liquid coming out of the ear Smells coming from the ear Dizziness

If you think you may have an earwax buildup, don’t hesitate to discuss it with your doctor or with a hearing health professional.

Janie Durette Audioprosthetist practicing in Saint-Sacrement

References - ENT Health. Conductive Hearing Loss. Online. https://www.enthealth.org/ conditions/conductive-hearing-loss/. Consulted on August 26, 2020. - Healthline. Tips for Cleaning Your Ears Safely. Online. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-clean-your-ears. Consulted on August 26, 2020. - Pamela Mason. Nothing Smaller Than Your Elbow, Please. Online. http:// www.asha.org/uploadedFiles/AIS-Earwax.pdf#search='earwax'. Consulted on August 26, 2020.

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COULD RED WINE BE GOOD

for Your Hearing?

You have probably heard that a glass of red wine can be good for your health, but what about your hearing health? There are good news for wine lovers! Studies in the United States and the United Kingdom suggest that drinking red wine could also prevent the risks of hearing loss. A moderate intake of red wine has long been associated with many health benefits, especially for the heart. Red wine is packed with antioxidants and tannins, but

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the substance getting the most attention is resveratrol, an anti-inflammatory plant compound that acts as an antioxidant. It is usually found in high concentrations in the skin and seeds of red grapes, as well as in berries (e.g. blueberries), dark chocolate and peanut butter. It is also available as a dietary supplement.

Everything in Moderation!

Promising Results

– A 2007 study concluded that excessive alcohol consumption negatively impacts lower sound frequencies in the 1000 Hz range – the most crucial frequency for speech discrimination. Although changes often were temporary, the researchers warned that many episodes of temporary hearing loss can lead to permanent loss. The study also concluded that excessive alcohol consumption could speed up the normal process of age-related hearing loss.

Some years ago, Dr. Michael Seidman and a team from the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit investigated whether resveratrol could have a positive impact on hearing. They then fed resveratrol to healthy rats while exposing them to high noise levels for long periods of time. They found that rats on the resveratrol-rich diet were less likely to develop noise-induced hearing loss following noise exposure. The researchers also hypothesized that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of resveratrol may contribute to slowing the degradation of the ear's hair cells, a degradation associated with both age-related hearing loss and cognitive decline.

Before opening a bottle to celebrate, here are some important considerations: – Excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, which can have an impact on hearing loss.

However, social drinkers who rarely overindulge, may want to consider the potential positive effects of red wine. To that we simply say, "Cheers!" Janic Lauriault Audiologist Technical support

Tested on Humans A British study conducted in 2014 revealed a decreased risk of hearing loss among people who reported drinking alcohol occasionally and among those who enjoyed a daily drink. In fact, the study showed that people who drink alcohol are less likely to have a hearing loss than those who have never consumed alcohol in their lives. The study was conducted among 164,770 adults between 40 and 69 years of age, and was published in the Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology.

References: - Michael D Seidman, Wenxue Tang, Venkatesh Uma Bai, Nadir Ahmad, Hao Jiang, Joseph Media, Nimisha Patel, Cory J Rubin, Robert T Standring (2013). Resveratrol decreases noise-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression in the rat cochlea. Journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 148(5), 827-33. - Piers Dawes, Karen J. Cruickshanks, David R. Moore, Mark Edmondson-Jones, Abby McCormack, Heather Fortnum & Kevin J. Munro (2014). Cigarette Smoking, Passive Smoking, Alcohol Consumption, and Hearing Loss. Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, 15, 663-674. - Tahwinder Upile, Fabian Sipaul, Waseem Jerjes, Sandeep Singh, Seyed Ahmad Reza Nouraei, Mohammed El Maaytah, Peter Andrews, John Graham, Colin Hopper & Anthony Wright (2007). The acute effects of alcohol on auditory thresholds. BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders, 7, Article number: 4.

Newborn Hearing Screening IN A FEW QUESTIONS

For several years now, hospitals have been offering hearing screening as soon as a child is born. This type of screening is important because undetected hearing loss affects children’s language development and learning. It is estimated that 1 to 3 of every 1,000 babies have moderate permanent hearing loss in both ears. Another 1 to 3 babies of every 1,000 may have mild permanent hearing loss in one ear.

What is newborn hearing screening? In the hospital, screening is usually done by an audiologist or a nurse under their supervision. During this quick test, an earmold is inserted into the baby’s ear and a device produces different tones. When the cells in the inner ear are healthy, they respond to these sounds by sending echoes, called otoacoustic emissions. During the test, the device determines whether the ear is producing those otoacoustic emissions. It needs to be done in silence so that the device can receive responses from the inner ear cells. Ideally, it’s done while the baby is sleeping.

1 to 3

of every

1,000

babies

have moderate permanent hearing loss in both ears

If the baby is calm, the screening only takes a few minutes; it will take longer if he is awake and moving. Either way, there’s no need to worry. The screening is non-invasive and doesn’t hurt the child.

What if screening isn’t available at the hospital where my child will be born? Audiologists working in clinics can also perform newborn hearing screenings. However, the test requires specific equipment, so it’s best to check which clinics offer this service.

What happens if the hearing screening isn’t successful? If the hearing screening is unsuccessful, it will need to be repeated a little later. This doesn’t mean your child cannot hear; the screening may be successful during the second appointment. It could just mean that there was an obstruction in the ears because of delivery, which may have prevented the device from picking up on the echo, or that the initial test conditions were not optimal (e.g. restless baby). It’s a common occurrence in newborns. If the second screening is unsuccessful, more advanced tests will be offered to assess your child’s hearing.

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What if the screening is successful? When a screening is successful, significant hearing loss can be ruled out. However, the child could still have slight or mild hearing loss. In other words, the screening cannot determine that their hearing is completely normal. That said, if the screening is successful, it means that the child has enough hearing to allow for language development and learning. Subsequent examinations are recommended later in the child’s development to make sure their hearing is still adequate. It’s also important to keep in mind that hearing can change over time. For example, children are prone to otitis (with effusion or acute). These types of otitis generally cause temporary hearing loss. Deafness may also develop over time; for instance, 1–2 of every 1,000 school-aged children may develop moderate bilateral hearing loss. Another 2–13 in 1,000 school-aged children are reported to have mild hearing loss in one ear. Therefore, even if the newborn screening is successful, it’s important to have your child’s hearing reassessed if you have doubts or notice changes in their hearing. Children’s hearing can be assessed from the age of 9 months in the audiology clinics where the service is offered. Assessments before this age are generally done in specialized hospital centers, given the equipment and expertise required. Generally, it’s recommended to have another assessment before the child starts school. If you have any questions about newborn hearing screening, don’t hesitate to contact an audiologist! Amélie Forget Audiologist practicing at the Sainte-Foy Lobe clinic

“

Even if the newborn screening is successful, it’s important to have your child’s hearing reassessed if you have doubts or notice changes in their hearing.

References - Arnold, S., Barrington, K., Breton, D., Gendron, M., Hurteau, A-M., Janvier, A., … Picard, M. (2007). Le dépistage de la surdité chez le nouveau-né : Évaluation des avantages, des inconvénients et des coûts de son implantation au Québec. Online. https://www.inspq. qc.ca/pdf/publications/722-LeDepistageSurdite. pdf. Consulted on August 11, 2020. - Bess, F. H., & Tharpe, A. M. (1984). Unilateral hearing impairment in children. Pediatrics, 74(2), 206-216. - Ross, D. S., Holstrum, W. J., Gaffney, M., Green, D., Oyler, R. F., & Gravel, J. S. (2008). Hearing screening and diagnostic evaluation of children with unilateral and mild bilateral hearing loss. Trends in Amplification, 12(1), 27-34. - World Health Organization. (2010). Newborn and infant hearing screening: Current issues and guiding principles for action. Geneva: World Health Organization. Online. https://www.who.int/blindness/publications/Newborn_and_Infant_Hearing_ Screening_Report.pdf?ua=1. Consulted on August 11, 2020.

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How Can We

PREVENT FALLS? It’s estimated that every year, one in three Canadian seniors will fall at least once.1 Here are a few factors that can increase the risk of falling: ³ Poor balance ³ Decreased muscle and bone

strength

³ Reduced vision or hearing ³ Unsafe conditions in and around

the home

So what does hearing loss have to do with fall risk? Well, human balance depends on three systems: vision, the somatosensory system (sensory information coming from the body), and the vestibular system. The last of these is located in the inner ear. As soon as one of these systems is affected, our balance can be affected as well. That's why people with hearing loss may have more balance problems, which can increase the risk of falling.

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NOVEMBER Here are some tips and tricks to help you prevent falls.

Take Care of Your Hearing According to the World Health Organization, about 40% of fatal accidents among the elderly are caused by falls. As previously mentioned, hearing loss can increase the risk of falls. However, a University of Montreal study found that wearing hearing aids can help improves the posture of people who have both hearing loss and vestibular disorders. This is because hearing aids help us perceive sound, which makes it easier to situate ourselves in space. Ultimately, this can play a role in balance and posture. Some hearing aids are even equipped with a fall detector, which can be programmed to send a SMS to an emergency contact if the wearer falls. They’re a good way to feel safer at home.

Keep Your Environment Safe It’s also important to make sure your living environment isn’t putting you at risk. Make sure you have good lighting. You should also make sure to keep the items you use most often close at hand, and avoid leaving cords or other objects lying around on the floor. Finally, you can place railings or supports at strategic locations around your house to make moving around easier.

“Eating healthy also helps you maintain your muscle strength, as well as your flexibility and balance.”

Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle By staying active, you’re making sure you keep your muscle strength, which helps you maintain your balance. Don’t let the fear of falling keep you from being more active. That said, make sure to use appropriate safety equipment while doing your favourite activities. Eating healthy also helps you maintain your muscle strength, as well as your flexibility and balance. Avoid skipping meals whenever possible, because it can cause weakness that increases your risk of falling. Use these tips and tricks to lower your risk of falling at home, and don’t hesitate to talk to a hearing health professional if you’d like more advice! Alexandra Cyr

Take Care of Your Vision Since vision also plays an important role in balance, try to avoid poorly lit areas. If you have glasses, make sure you wear them; glasses help you situate yourself in space, which will further reduce your risk of falling.

Fall Prevention Month

Audioprosthetist practicing in Longueuil and Saint-Hubert

References: 1. Government of Canada. Seniors and Aging - Preventing Falls in and Around Your Home. Online. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/ healthy-living/your-health/lifestyles/seniors-aging-preventing-fallsaround-your-home.html. Consulted on August 4, 2020. - Le système de l’équilibre et sa relation avec l’audition. Online. https://www.lequotidien.com/la-vitrine/audition--acouphene/ le-systeme-de-lequilibre-et-sa-relation-avec-laudition-1d8e8fa4d302981510893841a57ad412. Consulted on August 4, 2020. - University of Montreal. Des prothèses auditives pour réduire le risque de chute chez les personnes sourdes. Online. https://nouvelles.umontreal.ca/ article/2018/09/21/des-protheses-auditives-pour-reduire-le-risque-dechute-chez-les-personnes-sourdes/. Consulted on August 4, 2020.

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Fire Prevention Week

OCTOBER

Fire!

CAN YOU HEAR THE ALARM? Fire prevention is important, because the consequences of neglecting it can be severe. Whether you live in a house, an apartment, or a senior’s home, it’s critical that you react as soon as a fire alarm goes off. That’s why it’s important to do everything you can to make sure you’re alerted right away. If you have hearing loss or wear hearing aids that you remove at night, you should consider using additional measures to keep you safe. For instance, you can install a system under your bed that will shake your mattress if a fire alarm goes off. If you live in an apartment or senior’s home, you can hook it up to the building’s central alarm. These systems also come with a strobe light that will turn on in the event of a fire. The systems are handy for more than fire alarms, too; you can connect them to your phone ringer or front door, making your everyday life easier.

The Importance of Fire Drills Remember, it’s important to take part in fire drills! After all, your safety is at stake. They allow the people responsible for fire safety to make sure that the alarm is working and that you can get help if you need it.

Fire drills also help you: 1. Recognize the sound of the building’s fire alarm 2. Locate the nearest exit (remember, elevators won’t be working if there is a fire) 3. Locate the outdoor meeting point chosen by building managers and the fire department Note that buildings all have two emergency exits, in case one is obstructed by smoke or debris. It’s important to identify both of them. If a fire does happen, your first instinct should be to head to a safe place. However, you won’t know to do that unless you’ve done everything in your power to ensure that the fire alarm is triggered automatically and that you can hear or see the alarm. It could save your life.

If you live in a house, make sure your smoke alarms are working by changing the batteries twice a year, at the beginning and end of daylight saving time.

For more details on the systems available for the hearing impaired people, don't hesitate to consult your audioprosthesist! Rémi Côté Firefighter and prevention officer

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Protecting Your Ears: IT’S IMPORTANT!

We don’t always realize the role that hearing plays in our everyday lives. Often, you don’t know just how important it is until you start to lose it… or it’s gone completely. That’s why we need to take care of it and protect it against things like noise. Noise is everywhere: in the workplace, outdoors, and even in our own homes. According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, you need to wear hearing protection when the noise in your workplace reaches 85 dBA. However, current regulations in Québec have set the threshold at 90 dBA. That said, the limit may be modified at some point; a bill has been tabled to harmonize Québec’s standard with that of the other Canadian provinces.

Earmolds For Everyone! There are lots of different earmolds available to protect your ears. To start, there are earmolds designed specifically to protect people who work in noisy environments. Every ear is unique, so they’re custom-made to fit your ears and meet your needs. Some block all sound, while others have special filters that reduce noise while allowing wearers to understand speech. Other types of earmolds are designed to protect your ears during specific activities. For example, you can get special earmolds for musicians. They come with a filter that can be changed according to the type of instrument being played and the amount of noise reduction you need. There are also swimming earmolds to help swimmers keep their ears dry and prevent swimmer’s ear.

It’s also important to be careful while listening to music. Fortunately, you can get earmolds that are moulded to your headphones. They let you mute the surrounding noise without having to turn up the volume of your music. In short, earmolds let you protect your hearing while doing your favourite activities! If you have any questions about the different types of hearing protection available, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your audioprosthetist. He will be able to help you find the solution that best suits your needs. Josée Guillemette Bilingual Audiology Support Specialist

Reference - CCOHS. Hearing Protectors. Online. https:// www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/ ppe/ear_prot.html. Consulted on September 3, 2020.

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

LOBE.CA | © LOBE MAGAZINE 2020

and responding to adult facial expressions. In turn, that can affect language development, among other things. In fact, one article states that the younger children are and the longer they’re exposed to expressionless faces (except for the eyes), the greater the threat to their brain development and mental health.1

What Do We Do?

WEAR A MASK THAT

Makes You Smile! Life as we know it was turned upside down in 2020. We’ve had to adjust to a number of significant changes to limit the spread of the virus. One of these major changes is that in Québec, people need to wear a mask when they’re in partially or fully enclosed public places. While it’s necessary, this new measure can pose a challenge for communication, especially if you have hearing loss. Masks make lip reading impossible, which can be challenging for people who are used to relying on it to help them understand what others are saying. In public places, ambient noise and the use of Plexiglas panels also contribute to making communication more difficult, especially in combination with the wearing of masks. Social distancing is another measure that can cause problems for people with hearing loss. If you keep a distance of two metres with a speaker, the volume of the voice is reduced, since the sound energy is dissipated through the ambient noise. For example, in a classroom, a student located near the teacher will hear better than a student sitting at the back of the classroom, because of the proximity to the speaker. Physical distancing can therefore interfere with communication.

Fortunately, there are several ways to limit the repercussions of the public health directives. For instance, people with hearing loss, and the people they’re talking to, can use a number of different communication strategies. You can see some examples of these strategies on page 19. Another possible solution is to wear masks with a “window” that allows for lip reading. One such mask, the Sourire mask created by Jean Airoldi and Rosalie Taillefer-Simard, is now available at boutique.lobe.ca/en/. For each mask sold, $1 will be donated to the Fondation Sourdine, which supports the École oraliste de Québec pour enfants malentendants ou sourds. By finding new solutions, together we can prevent the virus from spreading while limiting the impact that the protective measures have on hearingimpaired people and on children’s language development. Rosanne Pépin Audioprosthetist practicing in Thetford Mines

Reference 1. Nicole Létourneau and Jain Mandakini. Le masque à fenêtre transparente pour s’occuper des jeunes enfants. Online. https://www.lapresse.ca/debats/ opinions/2020-08-30/le-masque-a-fenetre-transparente-pour-s-occuper-des-jeunes-enfants.php. Consulted on September 1, 2020.

Masks can also affect children who are learning language. Caregivers of young children now need to wear a mask for many hours each day, but that prevents the children from seeing, understanding, CHANTAL POIRIER PHOTO

Naturally, it’s important to follow public health directives. Recommendations on acceptable masks may change, so make sure to stay informed and follow the rules in place.

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SOLUTIONS FOR IMPROVING

Communication

Did you know that according to the Ordre des audioprothésistes du Québec, 80% of people with hearing loss haven’t been diagnosed or treated? In fact, it’s believed that around 15% of Quebeckers have hearing loss and 92% of those people use lip reading as a communication strategy. Lip reading is therefore often done unconsciously to compensate for their hearing loss. As mentioned in the article on page 18, masks make lip reading impossible. That can cause problems for people with hearing loss, as well as for children whose language is still developing. Here are some communication strategies you can use to facilitate conversations, even while wearing a mask.

Communication strategies If you have hearing loss: • Tell the people you’re talking to that you have hearing loss. • If you have hearing aids, don't forget to wear them. • Put a sticker on your health card or driver’s license with a pictogram indicating that you have hearing loss. You can also wear a button with the pictogram.

If you’re talking to someone with hearing loss: • Wear a mask that has a window so the other person can lip read. • Stand behind Plexiglas so you can lower your mask. • Get the person’s attention by saying their name or waving before talking to them. • Speak clearly and slowly, but don’t exaggerate your words. • Talk louder than usual, without shouting. • Rephrase if necessary. • Eliminate background noise (like TVs, radios, or music) during the discussion. • Use natural gestures when talking. • Keep your sentences short and simple. • Write down important information if necessary. If you find that you’re having trouble understanding people because they’re wearing masks, take care of your hearing by having it assessed and using communication strategies. Don’t hesitate to talk to your audioprosthetist or specialized educator if you’d like more advice! Laurie Lafantaisie

• Ask people to repeat themselves; don’t pretend you understood them.

Audioprosthetist practicing in Mirabel

References - Suzanne Colpron. Masque obligatoire : « On a oublié les malentendants ». Online. https://www.lapresse.ca/covid-19/2020-07-22/masque-obligatoire-on-a-oublie-les-malentendants.php. Consulted on July 22, 2020. - Agence de presse. Les sourds et malentendants face au port du masque. Online. https://agencedepresse21udemdess.com/2020/05/28/lessourds-et-malentendants-face-au-port-du-masque/. Consulted on July 22, 2020.

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Going Hunting? PROTECT YOUR HEARING!

Lots of people look forward to hunting season, seeing it as an opportunity to have fun in the great outdoors. But don’t forget to protect your hearing while you’re engaged in your favourite activity! Whether you’re in the woods or on a shooting range, you need to protect your hearing from gunshots while still being able to hear the sounds around you. After all, it’s a safety issue. Protecting people’s hearing from a wide variety of noises is a challenge when creating hearing protectors. That’s why there are several different types of hearing protectors. Each one has been developed with the goal of providing the best protection possible in different situations and for different needs. Here are some of the hearing protectors that are best suited to hunters and people who work in noisy environments.

Electronic Solutions Rechargeable Bluetooth Hearing Protectors that Optimize Sound These rechargeable hearing protectors are tailored to your ear, because they’re based on an impression of your ear canal. They automatically protect against gunshots and other loud noises. By default, they contain four different listening modes. Designed mainly for hunters, these protectors allow the wearer to hear conversations and ambient sounds, like those made by game. Because they’re equipped with Bluetooth, they also let you receive calls and listen to music.

Electronic Custom Fit These battery-powered hearing protectors were designed for hunting and shooting enthusiasts. They’re great for people who want both customization and performance. Each pair is custom-made to the ear canal to ensure a proper fit and maximum protection.

Electronic Instant Fit These small, lightweight, battery-powered hearing protectors come in two models. One model is made for hunters and shooters, and the other is perfect for people who work in noisy environments. They’re ready to use, so you can just put them in your ears for natural wind reduction and superior sound quality.

Classic Custom Solutions These hearing protectors are custom-made to offer maximum protection and comfort, but they are not electronic.

Solid Earmolds Solid earmolds are made of silicone. They protect against noise in a wide variety of potentially noisy environments.

Filtered Earmolds These custom earmolds are generally intended for musicians and workers. They quiet all frequencies while providing significant hearing protection! They have several filter options available, depending on the wearer’s needs.

High-Frequency Noise Filters Earmolds These custom earmolds contain a patented acoustic chamber and filter that reduce workplace and firearm noise to safe levels. To find out which type of hearing protection best suits your needs, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an audioprosthetist! Rizlane Bellamlih Territory Manager – Québec

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

LOBE.CA | © LOBE MAGAZINE 2020

All Your Gifts IN ONE PLACE!

The holiday season is fast approaching and, as we all know, it can be tricky to find the right gift for everyone. This year, why not keep it simple and give gifts that are as useful as they are appreciated… and that all come from Lobe’s online store!

Maintenance Products and Batteries Does someone close to you wear hearing aids? Why not give them products that will help them care for their hearing aids? Our range of maintenance products lets people care for their hearing aids safely and effectively. It’s also important to use special tools to maintain hearing aids without damaging them. Hearing aids batteries are also a good gift idea! After all, they fit perfectly in a Christmas stocking!

TV Listening Systems

Assistive Listening Devices There are plenty of devices that can make life easier for people with hearing loss. For instance, there are amplified phones, personal amplifiers and even adapted alarm clocks that are loud enough for people with hearing loss to hear. Your loved ones will absolutely love these devices if they have hearing loss! Visit boutique.lobe.ca/en/ to get a ton of ideas. Make sure to order soon so that everything arrives in time for Christmas! If you have any questions about the products we offer, talk to an audioprosthetist! Maggie Lamarre Audioprosthetist practicing in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce

Maybe you’ve noticed that a relative is watching TV at a higher volume than normal? If so, a TV listening system could be a great gift. Some systems are even designed specifically for people who wear hearing aids. The sound is streamed right into the devices. You don’t need to wear hearing aids to benefit from a TV listening system, either! There are other systems that use wireless headphones to amplify the sound from the TV. They allow two people to watch the same show at completely different volumes. They’re a great gift for a loved one… or yourself!

LOBE.CA | © LOBE MAGAZINE 2020

Shielding

OURSELVES AGAINST MISINFORMATION It’s important to stay protected, but we need to make sure we have the right information! For a long time now, we’ve been bombarded by awareness campaigns, mostly from government authorities, about the importance of preventing various harmful situations. In the healthcare field, preventive measures are meant as a front-line defense against illness by educating people and encouraging them to adopt healthy lifestyles. Even if a person does get sick, these measures can serve as a secondary defense by encouraging early detection so that treatments can reduce the duration or consequences of the illness. This can help prevent recurrences or disability, among other things. In principle, we can all understand the importance of prevention. But are we willing to put in the work? After all, we’re all responsible for ourselves and the decisions we make (or don’t).

Those decisions are influenced by our own understanding of the risks involved and how we weigh them against the limitations that come with protective measures. So what should we base our decisions on? Preconceived notions? Impressions? Social media posts? We have to be careful and do our research to check the source and truthfulness of the messages we see and hear. Reading, understanding, and valuing scientific texts is essential. Especially since some people may abuse their titles and even outright lie in order to convince us to believe their ideas or buy their “miracle” products. We need to put our trust in professionals when we have doubts so we can shield ourselves against misinformation. Martine Rodrigue Executive Director Association québécoise de défense des droits des personnes retraitées et préretraitées Lévis-Rive-Sud (AQDR)

Here are some sources that can help you separate myth from reality: – ici.radio-canada.ca/decrypteurs – lepharmachien.com

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. LOBE.CA | © LOBE MAGAZINE 2020

A Unique

BACK-TO-SCHOOL EXPERIENCE Last August, the École oraliste de Québec pour enfants malentendants ou sourds reopened its doors to 64 preschool, elementary, and high school students. Back-to-school, while unconventional, went smoothly. The teachers were thrilled to see all their students again and the students were excited to start a new school year with their friends.

While there were certainly many challenges to overcome, we did everything in our power to make the students’ return to school as normal as possible. We were thankfully given clear directives, which made it easier to reorganize our schedules while balancing two priorities: allowing students with hearing or language problems to learn and implementing safety measures.

New Measures This year, masks are mandatory for students aged 10 and over. We understand that it’s a necessary measure, but we were concerned about how the masks would affect the students’ communication since many of them rely on lip reading to understand what’s being said to them. Fortunately, we had already tried using special windowed masks last spring. That allowed us to recommend that parents buy these masks to help the students understand spoken language. The school also provided adapted face covers to its staff alongside other personal protective equipment, such as medical face masks, visors, and protective eyewear. We further protected everyone by grouping the students into coloured “bubbles” by grade level. Students in the same “bubble” can interact without having to physically distance, which allows for much more socialization and more spontaneous discussions. It also means that students can work on group projects without restrictions. Students in different “bubbles” must stay one metre apart. As for teachers, they must stay at least two metres away from students and other teachers or assistants. Otherwise, they must wear their personal protective equipment.

LOBE.CA | © LOBE MAGAZINE 2020

Ready to Go! In the spring, we had to deal with remote learning. It posed many challenges for students and teachers alike, since the listening conditions were far from optimal. Just having our students physically at school is a major advantage, since we can better meet students’ individual needs. That allows us to fulfill our mission to provide education that’s based on the foundations of academic success. Given the uncertain times, we’ve now made several contingency plans so we’re ready for anything that comes up. We’ve even developed an emergency plan if some or all of us have to isolate. All of our students will have access to computer and educational materials, useful resources, and academic support that’s adapted to the student’s level. We’ve thought everything out so that, no matter what comes up, we’ll be able to give our students the best support possible. After everything we’ve experienced over the past few months, we’re more ready than ever to give our students nothing but the best!

Yasmine Sahrane Assistant Director École oraliste de Québec pour enfants malentendants ou sourds

Protecting Seniors

THROUGH PREVENTION There’s no question that the pandemic has turned our lives upside down. Infectious diseases remain a major part of our everyday lives, and they’re a serious risk that we need to manage. Seniors have been hit particularly hard, especially by preventive measures like isolation.

By definition, prevention is any action designed to stop people from getting sick by establishing therapeutic tools, hygiene measures, and precautions. (Encyclopedia of Medicine & Health, 2001 p. 1096). Anticipation is also part of prevention. In public health, anticipation can be divided into three stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.1 Primary prevention involves promoting ways to stop a disease from spreading through a population. This stage can also involve more specific measures, like vaccinations, for people who are more at risk. As for secondary prevention, it involves establishing screening measures to detect the disease early and anticipate its progression. Finally, tertiary prevention aims to limit the risks of complications and relapse or reoccurrence. In seniors, the goal is to increase life expectancy, but also to maintain quality of life for as long as possible. Ideally, the best way to do

this would be to extend preventive practices to all seniors. However, currently only people with chronic medical conditions appear to have regular follow-up and monitoring.2 While we wait for medical vaccines to be developed, “social vaccines” (like raising awareness through information, education, and communication of correct information and health measures) are the best way of working with seniors and keeping them safe. Matey Mandza

M.D., Ph. D., LL. M. Researcher (Drummondville CCEG) Vice-President of the Association québécoise de gérontologie (AQG) References - Tapiéro, Bruce and Carle, Marie-Ève (2009). Les maladies infectieuses. L’illusion du risque zéro. Published by the CHU Sainte-Justine. Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, 22p. - Mandza, M. (2020). Un vaccin social pour et avec les aînés - Covid-19. Accessed online: CCEG Publication at https://youtu.be/DChaHgVEu_I 1. Arcand, M., and Hébert, R. (2007). Précis pratique de gériatrie, 3e édition. Edisem Inc. Sylva Clapin, SaintHyacinthe, Québec. 1270p. 2. Arcand, M., et Hébert, R. (2007). Précis pratique de gériatrie, 3e édition. Edisem Inc. Sylva Clapin, St. Hyacinthe, Québec. 1270p.

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 by an audiologist practicing in a Lobe clinic. * Discount offered by Michèle Veilleux, audiologiste audiology services. Applicable only on a complete hearing assessment ($75 value) performed by an audiologist practicing in 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 available until December 31, 2021. Some conditions apply.

LOBE.CA | © LOBE MAGAZINE 2020

WHAT'S NEW IN THE

CLINIC?

Opening of the

Villeray Lobe Clinic

Mercuriades

Nomination

The Villeray Lobe clinic is now open! You can make appointments with audiologists and audioprosthetists. Book today! Address: Carrefour Santé Villeray 8560, rue Saint-Hubert, suite 100, Montréal, QC H2P 1Z7 Audiologists: 438 943-0023 Audioprosthetists: 438 943-0024

Mascouche Lobe Clinic

Opening of the

Mascouche Lobe Clinic You can now make an appointment at the brand-new Lobe clinic in Mascouche! This clinic offers appointments with audiologists and audioprosthetists. We’re looking forward to seeing you! Address: 2705, chemin Sainte-Marie, suite 102, Mascouche, QC J7K 1M8 Audiologists: 450 769-9221 Audioprosthetists: 450 769-9220

Villeray Lobe clinic

Expansion

of The Head Office We’ve recently expanded our head office. We now have a brand-new call centre and several new conference rooms!

This year, Lobe is a finalist in the “successful business strategy” category of the Mercuriades, a prestigious business competition organized by the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec. This category recognizes a growth strategy that has been designed to maximize the company’s potential. We are honoured by this nomination!

A Nomination for the

Prix Innovation

Lobe is also nominated at the Gala des Prix Innovation of the Association pour le développement de la recherche et de l'innovation du Québec (ADRIQ), in the Digital Transformation 4.0 category. This award recognizes a company that has innovated through intelligent automation and the integration of new technologies.

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ADDRESSES OF THE CAPITALE-NATIONALE Donnacona

NEW CLINIC

Complexe Santé Donnacona 499, route 138, suite 200 Donnacona Qc G3M 0A9 Audiologists : 581 821-2435 Audioprosthetists: 581 821-2434

Pont-Rouge

Above Familiprix drug store 69, rue du Collège, suite 203 Pont-Rouge Qc G3H 0J4 ENT specialists: 581 318-3505 Audiologists : 581 329-8476 Audioprosthetists: 581 329-840

Québec • Beauport

NEW PREMISES

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

CLINICS

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 ENT specialists: 581 318-2620 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 Speech-language pathologists: 418 781-1734 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

Free parking, coupon given at the exit

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

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, boulevard 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

Changes

for Lobe Magazine!

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

Lobe Magazine is now available online! Subscribe to our newsletter by visiting lobe.ca so you can read it first from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

Saint-Georges

You can also create your Customer Account on our new online store. Lobe Magazine will be available there a few days before its release!

Sainte-Marie

14640, boul. Lacroix Saint-Georges Qc G5Y 7G8 ENT specialists: 418 228-7684 Audiologists : 418 228-7071 Audioprosthetists: 418 228-2970 340, boul. Vachon Sud Sainte-Marie Qc G6E 1X8 ENT specialists: 418 386-3643 Audiologists : 418 386-4426 Audioprosthetists: 418 387-7988

Sainte-Marie • Centre médical de La Nouvelle-Beauce

774, rue Étienne-Raymond, suite 008 Sainte-Marie Qc G6E 0K6 Hearing screening: 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 : 819 780-9746 Audiologists 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 OPENING WINTER 2021

Rock Forest 5035, boul. Bourque, suite 101 Sherbrooke Qc J1N 2K6 1 866 411-LOBE (5623)

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

NEW CLINIC

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

Saint-Hubert

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

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

Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts

Complexe médical M 1220, boul. Casavant Est, suite 104 Saint-Hyacinthe Qc J2S 0L6 Audiologists : 579 225-7265 Audioprosthetists: 579 225-7264

Résidence des Laurentides 107, rue Principale Est Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts Qc J8C 1J9 Audiologists : 873 228-0082 Audioprosthetists: 873 228-0081

600, boul. du Séminaire Nord Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Qc J3B 7B4 ENT specialists: 450 349-9898 Audiologists : 450 349-7904 Audioprosthetists: 450 349-4343

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

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu • Normandie Area

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

GRAND NORD QUÉBÉCOIS

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, suite 165 Longueuil Qc J4N 1R4 ENT specialists: 450 448-4244 Audiologists : 450 448-8090 Audioprosthetists: 450 448-4544

Valleyfield

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

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

1785, boul. du Carmel, suite 245 Trois-Rivières Qc G8Z 3R8 Audiologists : 819 415-2888 Audioprosthetists: 819 378-7477

Châteauguay

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

Vaudreuil-Dorion

Trois-Rivières

MONTÉRÉGIE

As the Lobe clinic network is expanding, we are constantly looking for new talent to join our head office team or practice in our clinics. Visit the Career section of lobe.ca to discover our job offers and apply.

MOVED TO NORMANDIE AREA

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu • Saint-Gérard Area

LAVAL

Tel.: 819 378-7477

We’re Hiring!

MONTRÉAL

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

Montréal • Saint-Laurent

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

Montréal • Saint-Léonard

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

Montréal • Villeray

NEW CLINIC

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

Pointe-Claire

Montréal • Angus

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

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 NEW CLINIC

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 ù : 438 844-5543 Audioprosthetists: 438 844-5544

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

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: 1 800 373-5844

HEAD OFFICE Complexe Vision 725, boul. Lebourgneuf, suite 303 Québec Qc G2J 0C4 Tel.: 418 877-7222 Audiology services offered in the clinics: 0-99 years, 3-99 years, 5-99 years Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)

OUTAOUAIS Gatineau

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

Vertigo NEW ADDRESS

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

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT: 1 866 411-LOBE

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