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Volume 14, number 1, 2021

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Meet the Hearing Health and Communication Professionals ENT specialists Audiologists Audioprosthetists Speech-Language Pathologists

The Hearing Health Specialized Educator:

A Little-Known Role

MARIE-JOSÉE TAILLEFER AND RENÉ SIMARD

Family First

How are Hearing Aids Developed? Do Men and Women Hear Differently? MARIE-JOSÉE TAILLEFER'S

Column

Building Relationships of Trust

It can be easy to forget the important role that healthcare professionals play in our lives. In this issue, we want to highlight their work and explain to people what, exactly, they do. Naturally, we’ll mainly focus on the hearing health professionals who change people’s lives every single day by helping them not only hear, but understand. After all, this is our mandate. As you’ll learn in our interview, René and I have seen a lot of healthcare professionals throughout our lives. Our children were born deaf, and we needed to help their development by relying on the guidance and support of professionals in a number of different fields. Without hesitation, these people have changed our lives. Over the past several months, we have collectively become more aware than ever of the essential role played by healthcare professionals. Now we’re taking the opportunity to pay tribute to them and thank them for the work they so passionately do each day. To our healthcare workers: thank you for your dedication. Every day, you perform real miracles. Happy reading! Marie-Josée Taillefer

Ambassador of Lobe clinics and of hearing health

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

FAMILY FIRST

Marie-Josée Taillefer and René Simard's Interview

MISSION: COLLABORATION

VOLUME 14, NUMBER 1, 2021

THE COCHLEAR IMPLANT IN A FEW QUESTIONS

Editor Julie Grenier-Turcot

THE ROLE OF THE ENT SPECIALIST

Graphic designer Andrée-Anne Michel

BECOMING AN AUDIOLOGIST

AUDIOPROSTHETISTS: WE LISTEN TO YOU

THE HEARING HEALTH SPECIALIZED EDUCATOR: A LITTLE-KNOWN ROLE

ALL ABOUT SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS

DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGIES TO PROMOTE BRAIN HEALTH

CAN YOU HEAR IN YOUR SLEEP?

LISTENING MODES FOR A NEW REALITY

VIRTUAL HEARING HEALTH CARE COMING SOON

HOW ARE HEARING AIDS DEVELOPED?

DO MEN AND WOMEN HEAR DIFFERENTLY?

PRIORITY HEALTH

DEVELOPING OUR COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS… TOGETHER!

Marie-Josée Taillefer's Column

STORIES FROM FORMER STUDENTS

of the École oraliste de Québec pour enfants malentendants ou sourds

WHAT IDENTITY FOR PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH SENIORS?

WHAT’S NEW IN THE LOBE CLINICS?

ADDRESSES OF THE LOBE CLINICS

Printing house Imprimerie Solisco inc. Rights and responsibilities Any translation, reproduction or adaptation of texts, illustrations and photos in this work, for any reason whatsoever, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission from the editor. The opinions expressed in articles published by Publications Lobe are the responsibility of the author. Legal deposit ISSN 1913-0287 Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, Montréal Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa Publications Lobe 725, boulevard Lebourgneuf, suite 303 Québec (Québec) G2J 0C4 Tel.: 418 877-7222 Fax: 581 814-6260 Email: courrier@lobe.ca www.lobe.ca Printed in Canada All trademarks are the property of Lobe Santé auditive inc./Bulletin produced by Publications Lobe. The typographical recommendations for visually-impaired persons from Institut de réadaptation en déficience physique de Québec have been taken into consideration during the production of this magazine.

DID YOU KNOW?

The acoustic horn, created in the early 19th century by Frederic Charles Reim, was the first man-made hearing aid. Various models of acoustic cones were manufactured until the early 20th century. Before that, sea shells and animal horns were used to amplify sounds! Reference: Ordre des audioprothésistes. Historique des prothèses auditives. Online. https://www.ordreaudio.qc.ca/ historique-2/. Consulted on January 5, 2021.

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Marie-Josée Taillefer and René Simard

Family First

Marie-Josée Taillefer and René Simard’s children are both deaf, so the family has seen a lot of healthcare professionals over the years. The couple has agreed to talk to us about their journey and experiences. How did you find out about your children’s deafness? René: For Olivier, I started to wonder when he was around 5 months old. I realized I couldn’t comfort him with the sound of my voice. If I went to check on him in the middle of the night but didn’t turn on the light, he wouldn’t calm down from my voice alone. I’m fairly anxious by nature and I felt like something wasn’t right, but

I didn’t want to worry Marie-Josée by saying anything. Eventually, we did go to the Sainte-Justine Hospital for testing, and that’s when we learned he was profoundly deaf. As for Rosalie, she was diagnosed at birth. Marie-Josée: I would add that when Olivier was 6 months old, he had a regular well-baby checkup. The doctor checked his ears and everything seemed fine. There was nothing

special to report. However, we still had some doubts, so we started doing tests at home. We’d drop things on the ground or stomp around to see if he could hear us. Problem was, sometimes he’d react, sometimes he wouldn’t. Either he was feeling the vibrations or it was just pure chance. Deafness can be really hard to detect. Olivier he’s profoundly deaf and it still took us several months to figure it out. Imagine what it’s like with milder hearing loss.

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INTERVIEW | MARIE-JOSÉE TAILLEFER

What was the process like from the time you discovered your children were deaf to the time they received their cochlear implants? R: They wore hearing aids until they got their cochlear implants. We started researching cochlear implants because at a certain point, we realized hearing aids weren’t helping the children anymore. We also started learning sign language around that time. It was the first way we could communicate with them. M: When we started learning Quebec Sign Language, so did a lot of our family. That way we could practice with each other. My mother was sure she’d learn all of the signs quickly, but it’s not that easy! You might think that the signs always have something to do with the word, but that’s not the case. Sometimes the signs don’t make sense. It’s quite a learning process. R: And you might think it’s a universal language, but it’s not! LSQ is a mixture of a number of different sign languages.

The cochlear implant was a fairly new technology at the time. Did you have any concerns about that? R: Naturally, we had concerns, since it was a new thing and nobody knew much about it. But as parents, we wanted to give our children nothing but the best, so it was something that really interested us. Then we met Dr. Pierre Ferron, who really put our minds at ease. At the time, the RAMQ didn’t cover cochlear implants. That didn’t make any sense to us, so later we worked with Dr. Ferron and Francine Carmichael, president of the Fondation du Québec pour la recherche sur l'implant cochléaire, to put together a file for the Ministry of Health. Finally, funds were allocated to eliminate the waiting list and have the cochlear implant covered by the RAMQ. It was a huge victory for us! M: The waiting list was two years long at the time. That’s an extremely long time for a child, since childhood is when we develop our language

AND

RENÉ SIMARD

learning. If a child can’t hear anything for months, let alone years, that severely delays their language learning. You can’t really make up for the lost time. We are proud to see that after all our hard work, the waiting list has disappeared. Children no longer have to wait, and it’s a huge benefit to their development.

Helping your children with language learning must have been quite the challenge! M: Really, language learning began long before the cochlear implants. Olivier got his hearing aids at 11 months and Rosalie got hers at 2½ months, and we started doing exercises right away. Then we never really stopped. The cochlear implant just became part of the process. That said, we had to start the process all over again after the implants because the children’s hearing had changed so much. R: After the cochlear implant, there’s still a lot of work to do. Children need to be taught how to hear sounds and distinguish between them. That takes a lot of work. Eventually, though, we were able to drop the sign language.

Over the years, have there been encounters with healthcare professionals that have made an impression on you? R: Dr. Ferron really left an impression with his knowledge and empathy. He really helped guide us through the whole process. Then there’s all the speech-language pathologists, audiologists, audioprosthetists and specialized educators we’ve met—and there have been many! M: I would add that all the teachers were also extraordinary with Olivier and Rosalie. The same goes for Mrs. Catherine Bossé of the Montreal Oral School for the Deaf whose meeting was decisive in the early days with our children. We were extremely lucky, because we had some great encounters and all these people had the development of our children at heart. Their dedication

was essential because the situation required a lot of collaboration. For all these reasons, several years later, we became very involved in making known the Fondation Sourdine which supports the École oraliste de Québec pour enfants malentendants ou sourds. This is our way of telling parents who are faced with this situation that they are not alone.

Today, in retrospect, what advice would you have for parents who learn that their children will have to live with deafness? R: I’d like to tell them that it’s not the end of the world. It’s something you just need to learn how to accept. Yes, you can grieve, but it’s important to keep looking forward for the children’s sake. Also, as a couple, it brought us together and helped us grow. It’s strengthened our bond with our children, too—our relationship is probably better than it would have been otherwise. We talk to each other every day. We’re really close. Instead of making the deafness our enemy, we made it our friend. It’s also made us realize how lucky we are to have all of our senses. M: Also, it’s important to do your research. I remember going to the library to try and find some reading material on deafness. That’s how inaccessible it was 30 years ago. But I think the best advice I can give is to trust yourself. It’s important to do the work, take charge of the situation, and ask questions, but also to trust that you’re the one who knows your child best. From there, you can move on and celebrate all the little victories.

Thank you Marie-Josée and René for taking the time to share your journey with us. You’re such an inspiration and your pride in your children is beautiful to see! Julie Grenier-Turcot Editor

1. Dr. Pierre Ferron is an ENT specialist and founder of the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec’s cochlear implant program.

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É E TA I L L

MISSION:

Collaboration

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MAR

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COLUMN | MARIE-JOSÉE TAILLEFER

C O LU M N

When you see any professional of any kind, you should expect to work together. Simply seeing a professional won’t fix everything. In most cases, you also need to put in the work. Hence the importance of teamwork.

René and I talked about it in our interview, our children’s deafness has meant that we’ve seen a lot of healthcare professionals in our lifetimes. When our children were very young, we had to help stimulate their hearing, even though they had only stimulated their vision before then. It was a long process that required a lot of motivation and involvement. There’s simply no way that our children would have stimulated their hearing if we had just seen healthcare professionals and did nothing more. Some of the work had to be done at home. We had to put in a lot of effort and rely on our deep-seated desire to improve the situation. That’s really what motivated me more than anything else. I like to compare the work we’ve done to stimulate our children’s hearing to the sound of the waves. When you go to the beach, you start to tune out the sound as you talk to your companions. But as soon as you start listening for it again, you hear it loud and clear. That’s kind of what happened with our children’s hearing. We always had to remind them to pay attention to what they heard. It was a lot of work for all of us.

Taking Action Like I said, we had to put a lot of effort into getting results. We had a lot of homework to do, and without our hard work, the results would have been very different. I remember that René and I would try to turn the exercises into games for the children. Whether we were cooking, playing, or dressing up, we were always trying to support their hearing. We would ask them questions and have them repeat what we said to make sure they understood. We probably LOBE.CA | © LOBE MAGAZINE 2021

COLUMN | MARIE-JOSÉE TAILLEFER

" Hearing training is like yeast for a loaf of bread. Without this essential ingredient, bread won't rise!"

repeated some words hundreds, if not thousands, of times! Our children worked incredibly hard to get to where they are today. This experience made me realize that even in terms of hearing, you have to do your part. I'm not making it up by saying that to take care of your health, you need to consult a professional, but you also need to invest yourself. Like an athlete facing his coach. In addition to the good advice received, the Alexandre Despatie, Sylvie Bernier and Mikaël Kingsbury of this world have succeeded thanks to hard work. All this to say that hearing health professionals are our guides and it is up to us to put their recommendations into practice. As someone who loves cooking, I would say this: hearing training is like yeast for a loaf of bread. Without this essential ingredient, bread won't rise!

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Choosing People You Can Trust No matter why you decide to see a professional—and regardless of whether you’re seeing a hearing health professional, a therapist, or a cardiologist—it’s important to create a relationship of trust. If there’s no trust, it’s going to be a lot harder to get the results you want. That’s why I always tell people that if you don’t feel at ease with a professional, or if the spark just isn’t there and it could affect the outcome, don’t hesitate to see someone else. When you have confidence, it seems that it is easier to implement certain actions because you know that the professional's recommendations will have an impact. So we have more motivation to apply them.

Success comes from trust. That said, make no mistake. Just because you don’t have that relationship of trust doesn’t mean the other person isn’t qualified. It’s more a matter of affinity and connection. A loved one might give a glowing recommendation, but the professional might not be the right fit for you. Naturally, the opposite is true as well. With that in mind, it’s important to be aware of your needs. Teaming up with someone you trust changes everything! All my love, Marie-Josée Taillefer Ambassador of Lobe clinics and of hearing health

THE COCHLEAR IMPLANT

in a Few Questions

For the vast majority of people with hearing loss, hearing aids are the solution. However, for some people whose severe or profound hearing loss is caused by extensive damage to the sensory cells of the inner ear, this type of hearing aid isn’t enough. Instead, it might be time for a cochlear implant: a surgical solution that partially restores hearing by directly stimulating the auditory nerve.

How do cochlear implants work? Cochlear implants have an internal and external piece, each with several different components. The latter's operating principle is similar to hearing aids. It has microphones to pick up ambient sounds, plus a processor and amplifier to process and amplify those sounds. Once the signal is ready, the system uses radio waves to transmit it to the internal portion. That internal portion, which is permanently implanted into the skull, consists of a receiver to receive and decode the signal, and an array of electrodes in the cochlea to stimulate the neurons that run through the inner ear. As a whole, the cochlear implant does the work of the inner hair cells, the cells that are usually responsible for transforming sounds into nerve impulses.

How are cochlear implants installed? The internal part of the device is implanted under general anaesthesia. The surgeon (ENT specialist) starts by making an incision in the skin behind the ear, then drills a hole in the skull to access the middle ear. From there, they make a second opening in the cochlea to insert the electrode array. Because the cochlea is shaped like a spiral, it’s crucial to place the array very carefully to avoid causing more trauma to the area. The entire operation usually takes one to three hours at most.

What does the rehabilitation process look like? Once the patient has recovered from surgery, the external part of the device is turned on and adjusted by an audiologist. Initially, the sounds the patient hears can seem strange or mechanical, and it can take time to readjust to the hearing world. As the brain learns how to interpret the signals from the implant, which are different from the ones normally produced by the inner ear, many people find that the quality of the sound improves, as does their understanding of speech. The follow-up process is extremely important to make sure that the patient is using the implant properly and that they receive the best possible long-term results. During the follow-ups, a full team (including an audiologist, a speech-language pathologist, and sometimes even a psychologist or other specialist) makes sure that the patient is adjusting well.

When do cochlear implants become an option? Cochlear implants are useful for people whose hearing loss is caused by neuropathy or the loss, absence, or dysfunction of cells in the cochlea. For example, if the hearing loss

is due to a mechanical problem in the middle ear, a cochlear implant would not be a good choice. By the same token, an implant wouldn’t be helpful for someone with a severed auditory nerve, since even artificial nerve impulses wouldn’t be able to reach the rest of the auditory system. In addition, people whose auditory system has developed normally have a much better prognosis. That’s why it’s important for children who are born deaf to receive the implant as soon as possible. For the same reasons, an adult who has heard is a much better candidate than someone who has been deaf their entire life. Finally, even though techniques have become more sophisticated and significant collateral damage is fairly rare, implantation is still a surgery done under general anaesthesia. As such, the patient’s general health needs to be considered. Talk to your audiologist if you want to learn more about cochlear implants. François Lussier Audioprosthetist practicing in Sherbrooke (article written in collaboration with Bianca Hallé, audiologist)

Reference - The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association. Cochlear implants. Online. https://www.chha.ca/en/ hearing-education/cochlear-implants/. Consulted on November 10, 2020.

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/// HEARING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ///

The Role of the ENT SPECIALIST

The role of the ENT specialist is much more diverse than you might think! Often, people's first reflex is to see these specialists, also known as otorhinolaryngologists, as surgeons who simply insert tympanostomy tubes and remove tonsils. While these are two of the most common surgeries in North America, ENT specialists do much more than that. They are physicians and cervicofacial surgeons who treat a host of other conditions like infections, congenital issues, malformations, and inflammatory conditions. They also treat conditions related to various cancers and may even perform cosmetic surgery.

ENT specialists also treat a number of different organs and structures: + Ears: hearing, tinnitus, and vertigo + Nose: aesthetics, breathing, smell, and allergies + Sinuses: infections and cancers + Mouth and salivary glands: taste problems, infections, and tumours + Face: skin lesions and aesthetics + Neck: pain and masses of various types + Thyroid, larynx, and pharynx: functional, cancerous, and benign conditions

A Wide Variety of Cases Because ENT specialists can treat so many conditions and have so many subspecialties, they don’t really have a typical day. At any given time, some may be seeing patients at a hospital or an office to evaluate and treat hearing problems, while others might be saving a newborn’s life by correcting a breathing obstruction or a malformation near their vocal cords. Still others might be using a sophisticated 3D navigation system to very carefully remove a bony obstruction that’s preventing a person’s sinuses from draining. Some ENT specialists might also remove major throat cancers, then replace the missing tissue with skin and muscle from the leg by grafting the blood vessels into the neck. Or they might perform ear surgery, going in behind the ear to remove a tumour at the base of the skull, below the brain. Others will focus more on cosmetic surgeries.

A Qualified Medical Specialist ENT specialists need to study for around 10 years and pass the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada exam in order to become ENT specialists. Some will also take an extra two years to study for a subspecialty in a world-class institution so that they can practice in university hospitals center. This provides patients with care of exceptional quality and is accompanied by a constant updating of knowledge. Finally, ENT specialists need to work with many other healthcare professionals, such as nurses, audiologists, audioprosthetists, and speech-language pathologists, on a regular basis. So yes, the ENT specialist is indeed responsible for placing the tubes and removing the tonsils, but there is so much more! Dr. Jacques E. Leclerc ENT specialist MD, FRCSC

In other words, ENT specialists can do a lot of different work on a lot of different conditions. Like the cases themselves, no two days are the same!

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/// HEARING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ///

Becoming an AUDIOLOGIST

According to the Ordre des orthophonistes et audiologistes du Québec (OOAQ), an audiologist is “an expert in hearing and the vestibular system. They’ve trained in anatomy, physiology, neurology, linguistics, psychology, and the function and disorders of the auditory and vestibular systems. They work with people of all ages, from newborns to seniors.” Among others, that means audiologists can address auditory and balance problems (like comprehension problems, tinnitus, and vertigo) because they know how to examine the structures of the ear.

Knowledge and Skills Audiologists need to have a Master’s degree in order to practice. It should also be noted that audiology is a reserved profession. It means that in order to practice, an audiologist needs to be a member of the Ordre des orthophonistes et audiologistes du Québec. The OOAQ’s primary mission is to protect the public, and part of that involves making sure that practicing audiologists have the right knowledge, skills, and ethics. Audiologists also need to be empathetic and have good listening, communication, analytical, and logical skills. During an appointment, audiologists need to take the time to understand their patients’ difficulties, whether they be social, professional, or other, so that they can find the best solutions for each person. Audiologists use their training to assess and understand possible causes of balance or hearing issues, as well as their short- and long-term consequences. That training also helps them identify possible aggravating factors of the patient’s condition.

On a typical day, audiologists are tasked with finding the best solutions for their patients. Those solutions can vary widely, and the audiologist needs to consider more than just the data they collect during an exam. They also need to consider the patient’s specific concerns. When necessary, hearing aids are combined with the use of other complementary solutions (communication strategies, rehabilitation, desensitization therapy, etc.).

Working as a Team Naturally, teamwork is a big part of an audiologist’s job. Every day, they work with other professionals (ENT specialists, audioprosthetists, speech-language pathologists, specialized educators, etc.) and resources (rehabilitation centres, associations, etc.) to help patients find solutions.

Audiologists are your go-to if you need help with a hearing or balance problem. Seeing an audiologist can do more than just prevent problems, too—it can help improve your quality of life!

Brigitte Sauvageau Audiologist practicing at the Montreal Lobe clinics

Reference 1. Ordre des orthophonistes et audiologistes du Québec. Qui est l’audiologiste?. Online. https://www.ooaq.qc.ca/consulter/audiologiste/definition-audiologiste/. Consulted on November 2, 2020.

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/// HEARING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ///

AUDIOPROSTHETISTS:

We Listen to You

Empathic, always attentive to their patients' needs and committed to developing a relationship of trust, audioprosthetists change people's lives by breaking the isolation caused by hearing loss. Following the adjustment of the hearing aids, he accompanies his patients through the process of rehabilitation to the hearing world. In addition to possessing in-depth knowledge of hearing aids, the audioprosthesist also plays a role in the prevention of deafness. For example, he can custom-design protective earmolds to reduce the noise level in the workplace or during leisure activities. The creation of customized earmolds for swimming is also part of his expertise.

A Regulated Profession In Quebec, the audioprosthesist is the only hearing correction professional authorized to sell, install, adjust or replace hearing aids. This exclusive profession (title and professional activities reserved) is regulated by the Ordre des audioprothésistes du Québec. Audioprosthetists practicing in Quebec have recognized training, which allows them to maximize the adjustments made to hearing aids. This three-year technical training is offered at the Collège de Rosemont and the Cégep de La Pocatière.

Taking the Time to Provide Support When an audioprosthetist first sees a patient, they assess their hearing difficulties. Each patient is unique, and each type of hearing loss is managed differently. Two people with the same type of hearing loss, but distinct lifestyles, could also experience very different difficulties. That’s why the audioprosthetist needs to take the time to understand what needs to be prioritized. From there, they use their expertise to determine which hearing aids are best for the patient’s situation. They then program the hearing aids so that they are adjusted to the patient's hearing situation. Thus, they are not only programmed based on the audiogram results. The audioprosthetist makes personalized adjustments, which consider different listening situations (e.g. restaurant, work, theater, etc.). The audioprosthetist (with the help of a specialized educator) also teaches the patient how the hearing aids work and how to maintain them.

Did You Know?

The services of audioprosthetists can be reimbursed by the RAMQ, the CNESST, Veterans Affairs Canada, and most private insurance plans.

The audioprosthetist sees the patient again to answer questions and see how they’re readjusting to the hearing world. The patient then comes in periodically, at least once a year, so that the audioprosthetist can perform preventive maintenance.

Always There for You Audioprosthetists are well aware that readjusting to the hearing world takes time. That’s why they’re always available to provide support and answer any questions you might have. Yes, the technical side is important, but the human side is even more so! As we like to say, we take care of more than just ears—we take care of human beings. And the audioprosthetist’s duty is to listen. Listen to you. Make an appointment with an audioprosthetist, who will be able to advise you in the choice of hearing aids, assistive listening devices and personalized hearing protectors. Jonathan Gagnon-Bagheri Audioprosthetist practicing in Saint-Jérôme

An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient’s needs. LOBE.CA | © LOBE MAGAZINE 2021

/// HEARING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ///

THE HEARING HEALTH SPECIALIZED EDUCATOR:

A Little-Known Role The role of specialized educators working within the Lobe clinics needs to be known! These professionals are an essential part of the support system for people with hearing loss. They use their outstanding listening skills to build a relationship of trust and become a key part of the process for people who are getting hearing aids.

Daily Involvement On a day-to-day basis, specialized educators support audioprosthetists. They may even be the first point of contact for the patient because they provide hearing health consultations, which are designed specifically for people who have concerns about their hearing and want to improve it. The objective is to offer support to the person who consults and to promote the success of this approach. Upon receiving the hearing aids, the specialized educator will meet with the patient to explain everything they need to know about how their hearing aids work. He will also introduce him to different listening and communication strategies that will allow him to communicate more easily on a daily basis, while helping him to learn maintenance techniques. If necessary, he will pair the hearing aids with the different Bluetooth tools and explain the different possibilities of use. He will also teach patients how to use different functionalities of the mobile application compatible with their hearing aids, which allow access to interesting parameters (e.g. volume control, programming and activation of certain Bluetooth accessories). This application can be downloaded on Apple and Android devices. The specialized educator therefore plays a very important role in integrating the technology into the

GOOD to know

If you’re interested in becoming a specialized educator, complete a special-education program in one of Quebec’s cégeps. The specialized educator is empathetic and passionate about human contact. Within the framework of a helping relationship, he knows how to be benevolent and to listen.

daily lives of people with hearing loss, always with a view to reducing the impact of hearing loss. He democratizes the use of technology by adapting it to the patient's needs. During preventive follow-up meetings, specialized educators follow up with their patients and assess their needs. They then share that information with the audioprosthetist, who adjusts the hearing aids’ programming as needed. In short, specialized educators’ listening skills and their desire to improve the lives of people with hearing loss make them an essential part of the hearing health team. They’re invaluable partners for audioprosthetists, especially when it comes to guiding patients through the rehabilitation to the hearing world process.

Raising Awareness Proactive to help break the isolation caused by hearing loss and always showing compassion, specialized educators also participate in awareness events and even give talks on hearing health. As the Lobe clinics continue to reinvent themselves, the role of the specialized educator varies and evolves, as do his or her many responsibilities!

Talk to a specialized educator to learn more. They’d love to tell you all about their role! Patrick Giroux Specialized educator practicing in Lévis

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

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/// HEARING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ///

Speech-language pathologists also work with the people around the patient. They need to make sure care is coherent across all areas of the patient’s life, so they work with the patient’s family and other important people (like teachers, educators, and aides). A multidisciplinary approach to care is important, so they frequently work with other healthcare professionals like audiologists, doctors (such as ENT specialists), occupational therapists and physiotherapists during appointments and follow-ups.

All About

SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS

Naturally, speech-language pathologists work with patients as well, providing screening, assessments, and treatments. And last but far from least, they regularly take part in activities to promote healthy habits related to their field. Léa-Laurence Dionne Speech-language pathologist practicing at the Québec City Lobe clinics

As the name suggests, speech-language pathologists help people with speech and language. What you might not know is that they treat swallowing issues, too. The role of the speech-language pathologist is to assess and treat people of all ages in order to develop, restore, or maintain their ability to communicate, speak, write, read, understand, and swallow. They also support people’s autonomy and participation in social, educational, and professional activities.1 Speech-language pathologists work with a wide variety of people. Depending on their workplace and expertise, they might work with children who have a stutter, a language disorder, or speech sounds disorder. They could also work with youth who have reading and/or writing difficulties or struggle with social communication. Or they might work with adults who have an acquired language disorder after a head injury or stroke. Speech-language pathologists also treat people with orofacial myofunctional disorders, like lisping and atypical swallowing, that are frequently picked up by dentists. And the list goes on!

GOOD

to know

Becoming a SpeechLanguage Pathologist Speech-language pathologists need to have at least a Master’s degree. Furthermore, speechlanguage pathologist is a reserved profession, meaning that they need to have a permit from the Ordre des orthophonistes et audiologistes du Québec to practice. Finally, speech-language pathologists need to be good educators with good people skills so they can build relationships with patients and their healthcare professionals.

Reference 1. Ordre des orthophonistes et audiologistes du Québec. Qui est l’orthophoniste? Online. https://www.ooaq.qc.ca/consulter/orthophoniste/definition-orthophoniste/. Consulted on November 19, 2020.

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What IS IT?

Developing Technologies to PROMOTE BRAIN HEALTH

New scientific discoveries are helping us better understand the way we hear. Research has shown us that the brain needs access to all sounds, not just speech, to function naturally. Recent studies1,2 have used brain imaging techniques to show that sounds are interpreted by two subsystems in the brain: the orient subsystem and the focus subsystem. Together, they allow people to understand and locate all of the sounds around them (orient) and determine which sounds to listen to (focus). However, in order to work this way, our brain needs to receive a good neural code— information transmitted by the auditory nerve in the cochlea (a peripheral hearing organ) to the auditory cortex in the brain. It’s what allows the brain to make sense of what we hear, which in turn lets us recognize and remember sounds more easily. When a person has hearing loss, the neural code starts to break down. As a result, our brain doesn’t process the information as well, since hearing requires more listening effort and mental workload.3

Neural code: information transmitted by the auditory nerve in the cochlea (a peripheral hearing organ) to the auditory cortex in the brain.

All of this can accelerate cognitive decline, especially our ability to remember, learn, concentrate, and make decisions.4 All of these conclusions have led hearing health professionals to change their views on programming hearing aids. Limiting access to certain sounds, as conventional hearing aids often do, simply isn’t an option. Instead, hearing aids now provide a good neural code. One hearing aids manufacturer has developed a new approach An assessment by to digital sound processing— an audioprosthetist is required to deterone that aims to support the mine which hearing natural hearing process by aid suits the patient’s giving wearers access to the needs. full sound scene. Not only does this approach help people with hearing loss understand the world around them, it also helps preserve their brain function. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your audioprosthetist! Charles-Edouard Basile Business Development Manager

References 1. O’Sullivan, J., Herrero, J., Smith, E., Schevon, C., McKhann, G. M., Sheth, S. A., Mesgarani, N. (2019). Hierarchical Encoding of Attended Auditory Objects in MultiTalker Speech Perception. Neuron, 104(6), 1195-1209. e1193. 2. Puvvada, K. C., & Simon, J. Z. (2017). Cortical Representations of Speech in a Multitalker Auditory Scene. Journal of Neuroscience, 37(38), 9189-9196. 3. Pichora-Fuller, M. K., Kramer, S. E., Eckert, M. A., Edwards, B., Hornsby, B. W., Humes, L. E., Mackersie, C. L. (2016). Hearing Impairment and Cognitive Energy: The Framework for Understanding Effortful Listening (FUEL). Ear and hearing, 37, 5S-27S. 4. Uchida, Y., Sugiura, S., Nishita, Y., Saji, N., Sone, M., & Ueda, H. (2019). AgeRelated Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline – The Potential Mechanisms Linking the Two. Auris Nasus Larynx, 46(1), 1-9.

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Understanding Sleep Phases

CAN YOU HEAR

in your Sleep?

It’s believed that humans spend about a third of their lives asleep. However, everyone sleeps differently—some wake up at the tiniest amount of noise, while others can sleep through just about anything. That might lead you to wonder: Can people hear in their sleep? The short answer is yes. It’s totally normal to hear while you’re asleep, since the brain stays active at night. Some areas are more active than others depending on the sleep stage, but generally speaking, the ear continues to pick up sounds. The brain then decides whether or not to react to the stimuli. In one study by a team of French researchers, participants were conditioned to press a button with their right hand if they heard the name of an animal and their left hand if they heard the name of an object. The researchers then played different words to the subjects while they were asleep. When they analyzed the responses of the subjects’ brains, they found that the areas that controlled the movements of the appropriate hands were activating. This shows that we not only hear when we’re asleep— we analyze what we’re hearing.

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While we do process sounds, how much we react depends on what sleep phase we’re in. A sleep cycle consists of two phases: slow-wave sleep and REM sleep. The first phase begins with the light sleep stage, which lasts just a few minutes. In this stage, breathing slows down and muscles relax. We’re also the most sensitive to sound—the slightest noise can alert us and wake us up. Next comes light slow-wave sleep, which makes up around 50% of our rest. Sounds can still wake us up pretty easily at this point. The last stage of slow-wave sleep, deep slow-wave sleep, makes up another 25% of our rest. Brain activity is slowest during this stage, and it’s when we recover the most physically. This is when it’s hardest for noises to rouse us from sleep. Finally, we enter into the phase of REM sleep. It’s a paradoxical phase when signs of very deep sleep combine with signs of wakefulness. We experience intense brain activity; this is typically when we have the most dreams. REM sleep accounts for around 25% of our total rest, and it’s when our reaction to sounds varies the most. In total, the sleep cycle lasts 90 minutes and we go through 3 to 5 cycles a night.

Sleeping Better People who wake up easily at night tend to feel like they’re having a lighter sleep. However, they’re more likely being disturbed during light slow-wave sleep, when their senses are still awake. This prevents them from moving on to the next sleep stage and getting a good night’s sleep. Thankfully, there are ways to make sure you’re going through the whole sleep cycle. First of all, make sure your room is dark and quiet to prevent light and noise from disrupting your sleep. If you can’t control an outside source of noise, you can use custom-made sleep earmolds to silence it. You can also encourage sleep by trying to limit your screen time for at least an hour before you go to bed. Finally, if you avoid eating before bed, you’ll make sure your digestive system isn’t working during the night.

CUSTOM-MADE SLEEP EARMOLDS

Seeing as our auditory system is always active and our brain can process sound even when we’re asleep, it’s no surprise that some people are light sleepers! If you have any questions about custom-made sleep earmolds, don’t hesitate to contact an audioprosthetist. Lou-Ann Leblanc Audioprosthetist practicing in Neufchâtel and Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré References - Koudier, Sid, et al., Inducing Task-Relevant Responses to Speech in the Sleeping Brain, Volume 24, Number 18, September 22, 2014, pp. 2208-2214. Online. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ S0960982214009944. Consulted on November 4, 2020. - Le cerveau à tous les niveaux. Nos différents sommeils. McGill University. Online. https://lecerveau.mcgill.ca/ flash/i/i_11/i_11_p/i_11_p_cyc/i_11_p_cyc.html. Consulted on November 4, 2020. - Mon oreiller et moi. J’ai le sommeil léger : nos solutions pour lutter! Online. https://monoreilleretmoi.com/blogs/ bien-dormir/j-ai-le-sommeil-leger-nos-solutions-pour-lutter. Consulted on November 4, 2020. - Top Santé. Insomnie : comment le bruit perturbe les cycles de sommeil? Online. https://www.topsante.com/ medecine/troubles-du-sommeil/sommeil-difficile/insomnie-comment-le-bruit-perturbe-les-cycles-de-sommeil-621660. Consulted on November 4, 2020.

Edge Mode Artificial intelligence has been a boon to many different industries, finding solutions to problems that were thought to be unsolvable. For hearing aids, it’s being used in hearing aids listening modes to constantly improve wearers’ listening experience.

Listening Modes

FOR A NEW REALITY

Recently, we’ve had to adjust to a new way of life where wearing masks in public places has become the norm. It’s a new requirement that has drastically altered the way we interact and socialize. While masks are certainly necessary, they’re also a barrier to communication for hearing-impaired people and those who wear hearing aids. Not only do they mute speech, they also change the way it sounds (by muffling higher-frequency sounds) and stop people from being able to see others’ lips. That makes it hard for people with hearing loss to listen to and participate in conversations. Of course, masks don’t all affect comprehension in the same way, and there are even masks designed with windows to allow for lip reading. And now hearing aids are pitching in, too, with a new technology that does more than just amplify sound—it also factors in mask wearing, physical distancing, and ambient noise, all of which can hinder communication. One manufacturer has released two new listening modes, powered by artificial intelligence, that account for today’s realities.

For instance, one hearing aids manufacturer’s Edge mode improves the audibility of speech in a variety of different situations. So no matter how far apart two people are, whether they’re wearing masks, and whether there’s ambient noise, Edge mode helps hearing aids wearers understand better. To activate this mode, wearers just have to wait until the other person starts talking. Then they activate it by pressing on their hearing aids twice. This allows Edge mode to focus on the speaker’s voice, optimizing the artificial intelligence function so that it can improve the sound quality of the other person’s speech. Of course, this mode doesn’t restore visual cues. However, it can account for the current situation and compensate for the lost information.

Mask Mode As for Mask mode, it specifically improves the clarity of speech when people are wearing masks. Hearing aids wearers just need to activate it when they’re talking to someone who’s wearing a mask.

This mode: +

Promotes speech comprehension in noisy environments

Allows wearers to better understand people who are wearing masks by amplifying speech sounds

Of course, it also helps you keep in touch with your friends and family. And right now, that’s more essential than ever! Rizlane Bellamlih Territory Manager – Québec

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

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Advantages of Virtual Appointments For hearing aid wearers, virtual appointments will represent an advantageous option, particularly for snowbirds and people who live far from a clinic, have reduced mobility, or have a busy schedule. They will allow patients to consult their audioprosthetists from anywhere! What’s more, they will help limit the costs of travelling to the clinic.

VIRTUAL HEARING HEALTH CARE

coming soon

Thanks to technological advances in connectivity and virtualization, healthcare providers are increasingly turning to virtual appointments so they can provide care and advice remotely. The hearing aid industry is no exception. In fact, you’ll soon be able to see your audioprosthetist for advice, adjustments, and follow-ups… all without going to the clinic! This will be incredibly beneficial in these uncertain times.

Virtual appointments will also provide the audioprosthetist access to the patient’s actual listening environments. Some patients have difficulty describing their listening environment; virtual appointments will be a unique opportunity for the audioprosthetist to not only gain access to the patient’s actual situation, but perform adjustments in real time. This practical, user-friendly solution will make hearing aid appointments more flexible and efficient, saving time for audioprosthetist and patient alike. Offering this service will also show that the clinic is able to adapt to meet patients’ needs, which will improve overall patient satisfaction.

How Does It Work? Audioprosthetists will soon be offering virtual appointments through their hearing aid programming software. The audioprosthetist will schedule an appointment with the patient, who will join the video meeting through an application previously downloaded on their smartphone or tablet. The patient will wear a device around their neck, provided beforehand, which will be paired with the mobile application previously downloaded. This device will allow the audioprosthetist to connect the hearing aids to the programming software to make adjustments. Note that this solution will require a fast, stable Internet connection, as well as an understanding of videoconferencing apps like Skype or FaceTime. Once the audioprosthetist has adjusted the hearing aids, they will end the virtual appointment. The patient will then exit the app and continue about their day.

Contact your audioprosthetist to learn more about virtual appointments. Janic Lauriault An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient’s needs.

LOBE.CA | © LOBE MAGAZINE 2021

Audiologist Technical Support

How are

HEARING AIDS DEVELOPED? You might not realize it, but hearing aids do more than just amplify sound. They’re actually highly complex and developed pieces of technology. Every hearing aid on the market has many years of research and development behind it, requiring the knowledge and involvement of hundreds of people.

Cutting-Edge Technology Because today’s hearing aids have so many different technologies, developing a new model requires the input of a number of different professionals. First, project managers need to study the hearing aid market to guide their team towards solutions that meet wearers’ needs. Unlike analogue hearing aids, which amplified all sounds the same way regardless of whether they were important, today’s hearing aids have microprocessors that use DSP, or digital signal processing. Developing those microprocessors and platforms takes years of work by engineers. In fact, the design of those microprocessors is impressive in and of itself, since they need to use a very limited amount of power and pack multiple layers of circuits into a tiny space.

A Multidisciplinary Approach While the engineers create the microprocessor and platform, programmers are busy designing the signal processing algorithms. Each algorithm is optimized to improve a specific aspect of sound. For example, one algorithm might control the frequency response, while another improves the perception of speech in noise, and yet another eliminates feedback from the hearing aids. All of these algorithms need to be lightning fast so they can process sound signals in real time. Throughout this process, hearing health professionals help make sure that the hearing aids can meet the needs of people with hearing loss and improve their listening experience. In addition to creating the technology itself, hearing aids developers have a design team that helps make the devices durable, yet attractive. And that’s not all! Creating hearing aids also involves quality control teams and the manufacturers’ own teams. In other words, wearers are only able to benefit from the advanced features of hearing aids thanks to years of work and a huge multidisciplinary team. Talk to your audioprosthetist to learn more about the latest technologies and discover the best solution for you. Josée Guillemette Bilingual Audiology Support Specialist

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

LOBE.CA | © LOBE MAGAZINE 2021

DO MEN AND WOMEN HEAR

Differently?

Everyone’s hearing loss is unique and will affect their everyday lives in different ways. Over time, both men’s and women’s hearing declines, but the scientific literature suggests that women generally preserve better hearing acuity than men. In addition, this hearing loss tends to be relatively more pronounced at higher frequencies (higher-pitched sounds) for men, versus lower frequencies for women. Traditionally, we have attributed men’s higherfrequency loss to noise exposure, which may be more common in their professional and personal lives. As for women, some researchers have linked their tendency towards lower-frequency hearing loss to the higher prevalence of vascular disorders in women. That said, many researchers believe that these hypotheses don’t completely explain either type of hearing loss. Jerger , a researcher, explained that these differences between men and women may have other implications. In fact, he suggests that higherfrequency hearing loss may be more ‘visible’, since it makes identifying constants more challenging. This may lead to more frequent misunderstandings or asking others to repeat what they said, which can make the hearing loss more apparent to the person and those around them. Hearing loss that affects other frequencies more evenly, however, may be more difficult to notice. For that reason, he suggests that it may take longer for women to recognize their hearing loss, which in turn means they take longer to consult a professional about it. 1

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Physiological Differences According to several studies, two hearing assessment tools—auditory evoked potential and oto-acoustic emissions tests—show differences between men and women. These tools are objective tests, meaning that the variations suggest an innate physiological difference in the male and female auditory systems. Neuroanatomic studies have also found that speech perception tends to be treated bilaterally in female brains and unilaterally in male brains. In other words, speech generally activates neurons in both hemispheres for women, but predominantly in one hemisphere for men. Finally, some studies suggest that women make greater use of visual cues in understanding speech, especially as they age. These studies all suggest that the auditory system and speech perception are different in men and women. Nevertheless, every individual’s hearing is unique, as are the challenges they face. If you have concerns about your hearing, don’t hesitate to consult an audiologist! Véronique Abran Audiologist practicing at the Drummondville Lobe clinic

References 1. Nemes, J. (1999). Gender and Hearing: New studies find auditory differences between the sexes. Hearing journal, Vol. 52(4): 21-26. - Ahadi, M., Pourbakht, A., Jafari, A.H., Shirjian, Z. & Jafarpisheh, A.S. (2013). Gender disparity in subcortical encoding of binaurally presented speech stimuli: An auditory evoked potentials study. - Alm, M. & Behne, D. (2015). Do gender differences in audio-visual benefit and visual influence in audio-visual speech perception emerge with age? Front. Psychol. Online. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01014. Consulted on November 5, 2020.

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Priority Health For the past half-century, the Réseau FADOQ has been helping to break the isolation of people aged 50+ by offering a number of leisure, athletic, and cultural activities. That’s not the network’s only mission, though. It also works hard to improve the quality of life for all seniors, and that includes advocating for improvements to the healthcare system. One of those improvements is better caregiver-topatient ratios. The Réseau FADOQ has been advocating for this crucial issue for a long time, and it has become more urgent after the tragedy that struck long-term care facilities this spring. On a similar note, the network is also urging the government to immediately address the lack of healthcare personnel like nurses and specialized nurse practitioners (SNPs). That means reorganizing roles, putting an end to mandatory overtime, promoting the value of the positions in question, and increasing enrollment in university programs.

An Ounce of Prevention… More humane care, shorter waiting lists, decent working conditions for healthcare workers… it all comes at a price. That’s why the Réseau FADOQ is asking the federal government to increase the Canada Health Transfer. On behalf of seniors and patients everywhere, the network is also asking that the government decompartmentalize healthcare professions to allow for better care and services. It has already submitted three briefs recommending that three professions (dental hygienists, pharmacists, and SNPs) be allowed to provide more types of care.

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE RÉSEAU FADOQ

fadoq.ca 1 800 828-3344

Celebrating Our Achievements More and more people are turning to the Réseau FADOQ for advice on issues that affect seniors, since it has a number of successes under its belt. For instance, it led and won the fight to abolish accessory fees for services that are already insured by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec. One more example (of many): the network has long been working with other organizations to pressure the government to invest heavily in long-term care facilities. Thanks to its advocacy, unprecedented funding has been allocated to renovate dilapidated facilities and help seniors’ homes develop in Quebec. So much remains to be done, but current and future seniors can count on the fact that the Réseau FADOQ will be defending their interests for the next 50 years at least! Naturally, the more members the network has, the more influence it has over the decisions of political authorities. What better reason to join the 550,000 other members of the largest seniors’ organization in the country? Sophie Gagnon Réseau FADOQ

DEVELOPING OUR COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS…

Together!

Since March 2020, we’ve all been asked to help protect the most vulnerable among us by complying with measures that often feel difficult and restrictive. Near-daily statistics show us that these measures are working, and that encourages us to keep working together. However, it does make us wonder: Will this group effort spark a type of awareness that will persist into our “new normal”? It’s one thing to understand that we’re all at risk from a threat that can strike at any time. It’s entirely another to realize that some members of our society are dealing with a whole other set of threats to their health, safety, and right to live with dignity. These inequalities are omnipresent, but they rarely make headlines. And all too often, it’s hard for us to see them and understand just how pervasive they are. The social isolation brought about by the pandemic has reminded us of our vulnerability as individuals.

Reading the book Du plomb dans les ailes : Avis sur les inégalités sociales, published in French by Centraide Québec, Chaudière-Appalaches and Bas-Saint-Laurent in October 2020 by Les éditions du Septentrion, reminds us of a broader issue: the existence and consequences of inequalities in our own society. These inequalities are many and varied, stemming from differences in income, employment, education, health, and the environment, among others. This book is a wake-up call of sorts. Its goal is to mobilize us and encourage us to advocate for greater social justice. If you can read French, I unequivocally recommend this book. You can pick up a paper or digital version from a bookstore or library near you. Martine Rodrigue Executive Director Association québécoise de défense des droits des personnes retraitées et préretraitées Lévis-Rive-Sud (AQDR) Reference - Centraide Québec, Chaudière-Appalaches and Bas-Saint-Laurent. Du plomb dans les ailes. Avis sur les inégalités sociales. Septentrion. 2020. 192 pages.

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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 2021

STORIES FROM FORMER STUDENTS

of the École oraliste de Québec pour enfants malentendants ou sourds The goal of the École oraliste is to help students forge their own paths and become successful not just academically, but personally. We were able to get in touch with five former students to see how they’re doing today. Like all people, they each ended up on different journeys. And it’s wonderful! As the founder of the École oraliste, I couldn’t be happier! Andrée Boisclair DE QUÉBEC POUR ENFANTS SOURDS

Professor Emeritus and Founder of the École oraliste de Québec pour enfants malentendants ou sourds

William Renaud 18 years old

Antoine Mallette 19 years old

Pascale Desrochers 26 years old

“The École oraliste made it easier to interact with people and helped me find a student job at a nearby grocery store. The school’s teaching approach really meets students where they’re at. It gave me all the tools I need to continue my education and succeed so that I can have a career. It also encourages us to develop better speaking skills by having us do things like put on plays at the Théâtre La Bordée. I’m extremely proud of my hard work and I’ll always be grateful to the school.”

“My life has changed because of the École oraliste. While I was there, I made a lot of good friends and became more self-confident. I’m currently studying at the adult school to finish my highschool education. After that, I want to study to do electrical work. I’ve had a student job as a grocery clerk at Super C for more than two years now. I also take on lawnmowing jobs. I love traditional music and I’m on the board of directors of the Association québécoise des loisirs folkloriques. I also livestream accordion and violin shows on Facebook.”

“Hi, I’m Pascale Desrochers. I have a cochlear implant and studying at the École oraliste de Québec improved my quality of life, because it helped me develop self-confidence and comprehension skills. I’m learning and taking on new challenges every day. And I don’t give up. I have a college diploma and an accounting job at Qualinet. I’m able to talk with clients, insurance experts, contractors, and other companies on the phone easily. I’m very proud of my accomplishments and I love my work.”

Émilie Bélanger 24 years old

Samuel Lanouette 29 years old

“My name is Émilie Bélanger and I’m 24 years old. I’m completely deaf from birth and received a cochlear implant at the age of 4. I started school at the École oraliste and attended until I was 18. After that, I took my general education exam at the Maison des adultes before entering the job market. I have a job that I love—I’m an educator at La p’tite ZONE famille daycare. I also love my family; I have a husband and a 2-year-old son. I’m very proud of my success in my personal and professional life despite my disability.”

“I received an amazing education at the École oraliste. It helped me discover my passions and aspirations, and it let me set goals that I thought I’d never achieve until I entered high school or university. I’m passionate about education and history; I never stopped studying, even after getting jobs as a massage therapist and at the Ministry of Culture and Communications. I’m currently starting my master’s degree in Secondary Education so that I can achieve a goal inspired by this school: to become a teacher.”

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it’s a convergence of several established scientific fields. In the healthcare field, only one professional specialty, geriatrics, is directly associated with gerontology.

What Identity

FOR PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH SENIORS? In Quebec, the age pyramid is inverting as more and more people become seniors, which means that the aging process is associated with certain challenges. As a result, depending on the circumstances, loving and caring for our elders can be a concern, a job, or even an entire career.

Additionally, social workers—who already have a very narrowly defined profession—may specialize in helping seniors. That can help them develop a certain type of experience or even lead them to courses for a certificate, master’s degree, or doctoral degree. The same can be said for many other professionals, like psychologists and sociologists. The current situation has challenged us collectively on the issue of wellness for seniors, to ensure respect for their dignity and to promote good treatment. In the context of a rapidly aging population, it would be desirable that other professionals from various fields take a greater interest in the various training programs offered in the field of gerontology. Since many sectors of activity are and will be called upon to work with seniors, this would make it possible to promote optimal support. Who knows, a gerontologist in the making may be dormant in all of us!

Gerontology is the study of seniors and the aging process. It’s a science, but not one that can be associated with a specific career or profession. Instead,

Matey Mandza, M.D., Ph. D., LL. M. Researcher (CCEG de Drummondville) Vice-President of the Association québécoise de gérontologie (AQG)

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• 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.

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- What's New -

IN THE LOBE CLINICS? Conferences

by Marie-Josée

Taillefer

Our ambassador, Marie-Josée Taillefer, continues her virtual conference tour this spring! This is a unique opportunity to discover her journey in the field of hearing. Visit lobe.ca to discover her complete schedule.

We are here for you! Rest assured that, in all Lobe clinics, strict sanitary measures are in place to ensure your safety. That way, we are able to offer you hearing health services and help break the isolation of people with hearing loss. To make an appointment at a Lobe clinic, call 1 866 411-5623 and it will be our pleasure to accompany you!

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Questions or comments? Opening of the

Rock Forest clinic A brand new Lobe clinic has been added to the network! The Lobe clinic in Rock Forest is now open and it is possible to make appointments with audiologists and audioprosthetists. We’re looking forward to seeing you!

Address: 5035, boulevard Bourque, suite 101 Sherbrooke, Qc J1N 2K6 Audiologists : 873 639-0022 Audioprosthetists: 873 639-0023

EMAIL US: courrier@lobe.ca

ADDRESSES OF THE

CLINICS

We’re HIRING!

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.

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 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

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

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

Lac-Etchemin

Québec • Sainte-Foy

Lévis

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

Résidence Belvédère du Lac 301, rue du Sanatorium, suite 121 Lac-Etchemin Qc G0R 1S0 Audioprosthetists: 581 820-3220 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

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

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 NEW CLINIC

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

LANAUDIÈRE Notre-Dame-des-Prairies

Centre professionnel des Prairies 449, route 131, suite 205 Notre-Dame-des-Prairies Qc J6E 0M1 Audiologists : 579 841-0051 Audioprosthetists: 579 841-0050

Mascouche

NEW CLINIC

2705, chemin Sainte-Marie, suite 102, Mascouche Qc J7K 1M8 Audiologists : 450 769-9221 Audioprosthetists: 450 769-9220

LAURENTIDES

GRAND NORD QUÉBÉCOIS

MONTRÉAL

Boisbriand

Tel.: 819 378-7477

Montréal • Angus

Polyclinique 640 2000, cours Le Corbusier, suite 105 Boisbriand Qc J7G 3E8 Audiologists : 450 437-2442 Audioprosthetists: 450 437-4343

Mirabel

Complexe Médical Cité Mirabel 11800, rue de Chaumont, suite 420 Mirabel Qc J7J 0T8 ENT specialists: 579 226-0216 Audiologists : 579 226-0215 Audioprosthetists: 579 226-0214

Saint-Jérôme

Polyclinique Saint-Jérôme 200, rue Durand, suite 209 Saint-Jérôme Qc J7Z 7E2 ENT specialists: 450 565-9898 Audiologists : 450 592-0804 Audioprosthetists: 450 592-0801

Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts

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

LAVAL Laval • Chomedey

Cité de l’Avenir 1575, boul. de l’Avenir, suite 120 Laval Qc H7S 2N5 Audiologists : 450 934-8362 Audioprosthetists: 450 934-2614

Laval • Chomedey 440

Carrefour Santé 440 4650, Desserte Sud Autoroute 440, suite 370, Laval Qc H7T 2Z8 ENT specialists: 450 781-4556 Audiologists : 450 687-6897 Audioprosthetists: 450 687-0255

MAURICIE

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, suite 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

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

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

Montréal • Rosemont— La-Petite-Patrie

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

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

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu

Montréal • Saint-Laurent

Saint-Hyacinthe

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

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

Valleyfield

Montréal • Saint-Léonard

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

Vaudreuil-Dorion

Shawinigan

Trois-Rivières

MONTÉRÉGIE

OUTAOUAIS

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

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 ENT specialists: 438 943-0022 Audiologists : 438 943-0023 Audioprosthetists: 438 943-0024

NEW ADDRESS

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: 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) Vertigo

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

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT: 1 866 411-LOBE

Vestibular screening

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

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