When the COVID-19 lockdown forced Hearing First Audiology and Hearing Aid Clinic to close its doors in March of last year, staff adapted to keep serving the needs of their clients.
They offered curbside service for supplies and hearing aid servicing. They delivered batteries, cleaning kits and other supplies to homebound clients free of charge.
Even though COVID restrictions are easing and retail reopening, the delivery service will continue because customers, especially seniors, love the convenience and safety provisions.
Hearing First spokesperson Emma McLean said they are the only audiology service in Sault Ste. Marie to continue offering the free home delivery option, which is available every Thursday.
For long-term care residents, staff will pick up hearing aids for service Thursday morning and have them back to the client in the afternoon. Clinicians can also bring portable equipment to the nursing home to perform hearing tests on people unable to come to the office. During the summer months, Hearing First Audiology sends a clinician to Wawa for individuals needing hearing tests north of Sault Ste. Marie. Simply call the office for an appointment.
If a client needs a ride to their audiology testing appointment Hearing First will arrange for a shuttle to the office. McLean said, “A lot of our clients are older and have caretakers that bring them to their appointment and sometimes their caretaker isn’t available to help out.”
Hearing First Audiology has been serving clients in Sault Ste. Marie for the past 21 years. Your hearing health matters to this family-owned business.
McLean said, “Nothing is more important than regaining the ability to connect, through conversation and laughter with your loved ones and the people around you.” They want to educate clients on the causes of hearing loss and how to preserve and protect their hearing.
Age-related hearing decline is common. Environmental and noise-induced hearing loss is more prevalent, particularly in a steel town such as Sault Ste. Marie. The horns fans and machinery inside a steel mill are deafening.
McLean said they’re seeing more hearing loss at an earlier age. “We have clients in their 40s and 50s who need hearing aids, so we really want to educate people on proper hearing protection and proper screening. Early intervention is really the best way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.”
Recreational activities such as hunting with firearms and riding a motorcycle can damage your hearing. Hearing First Audiology can provide custom hearing protection that helps to reduce harmful sound levels.
They also offer custom ear plugs that help filter out loud noise for musicians and concert goers, activities that can add up to permanent hearing loss.
Hearing First Audiology has deep roots in Sault Ste. Marie. The last Friday of every month they do a battery food drive. Individuals who donate five canned goods will receive five packages of batteries for free, a $15 value. Two bins filled with food are donated to a different charity each month.
Hearing First Audiology and Hearing Aid Clinic is concerned about the community’s health along with the hearing health of their clients.
If you would like to know more the services offered by Hearing First Audiology and Hearing Aid Clinic please visit www.hearingfirst.ca.