Assistive Listening Devices & Custom Ear Plugs

The Ear & Audiology Clinic

What are some popular Assistive Listening Devices?

Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) are designed to help individuals with hearing loss or impairment by improving their ability to hear and understand sounds in various environments. There are several types of ALDs, each serving specific purposes.

Here are some popular types of Assistive Listening Devices:

  • Hearing Aids:

    Purpose: Hearing aids are wearable devices designed to amplify sound for individuals with hearing loss. They come in various styles, including behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), and in-the-canal (ITC).

    Features: Modern hearing aids often include advanced features such as directional microphones, noise reduction, and connectivity to other devices like smartphones or TVs.

  • Personal Amplifiers:

    Purpose: Personal amplifiers are portable devices that amplify sound in specific situations. They are useful for individuals who need assistance in small group conversations, meetings, or while watching TV.

    Features: Personal amplifiers usually have a microphone to pick up sounds and a receiver to transmit the amplified sound to the user.

  • FM Systems:

    Purpose: FM systems use radio signals to transmit sound from a microphone to a receiver. They are beneficial in situations with distance or background noise.

    Features: The speaker wears a microphone connected to an FM transmitter, and the listener uses a receiver with earphones or a hearing aid-compatible neckloop.

  • Captioned Telephones:

    Purpose: Captioned telephones display captions of spoken words in real-time, helping individuals with hearing loss during phone conversations.

    Features: Users can read captions while listening to the caller's voice, providing additional clarity.

  • Amplified Telephones

    Purpose: Amplified telephones are a great solution for anyone who has difficulty hearing a traditional telephone. Available corded or cordless.

    Features: Most amplified telephones are equipped with multiple features to increase the volume of the audio signal. Some amplified telephones also have a visual “flashing” ring indicator. Many hearing aids are compatible for use with amplified telephones, provided they are equipped with a telecoil.

  • Alerting Devices:

    Purpose: Alerting devices use visual or tactile signals to alert individuals with hearing loss to important sounds like doorbells, smoke alarms, or phone calls.

    Features: Examples include flashing lights, bed shakers, or vibrating alarms that accompany auditory signals.

Assistive Listening Devices are diverse and cater to various needs. The choice of device depends on the individual’s specific hearing requirements and preferences. 

Consultation with an Audiologist at The Ear & Audiology Clinic is essential for selecting the most suitable assistive listening solution. We could order most of the Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) available in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions About Assistive Listening Devices

 

If you have personal health insurance coverage (purchased personally or through your work), you may be eligible to seek reimbursement, depending on your policy and level of coverage. 

Kindly call your insurance providers and confirm regarding your coverage. We do not direct bill your insurance, we will provide you paid Invoices, and you can submit it for reimbursements.

Some of the third parties covers for these services & we could help you with the same.

Custom Hearing Protection Ear Plugs & Ear Molds

Custom earplugs, also known as hearing protection plugs, are personalized devices designed to fit an individual’s ear canal precisely. These plugs offer a tailored and comfortable solution for protecting one’s ears from loud noises, reducing the risk of hearing damage or loss in various environments.

To create custom earplugs, our Audiologist takes an impression of the individual’s ear canal. This mold is used to craft earplugs that fit securely and snugly, providing an effective seal against noise. Customization ensures a comfortable and ergonomic fit, making them suitable for extended wear without causing discomfort.

These earplugs are versatile and find applications in various settings, including industrial work, concerts, motorcycling, shooting ranges, and more. The tailored design allows wearers to maintain situational awareness while still benefitting from noise reduction.

Custom earplugs offer a higher level of protection compared to generic, one-size-fits-all options. They are durable, reusable, and often made from hypoallergenic materials. Some custom plugs also come with additional features, such as filters that selectively block out harmful frequencies while preserving the ability to hear essential sounds.

Overall, custom earplugs provide a practical and individualized solution for safeguarding hearing in noisy environments, promoting both comfort and effective noise reduction.

Noise in the workplace is responsible for noise-induced hearing loss in hundreds of thousands of Ontario workers.  At The Ear & Audiology Clinic, our Audiologist try our level best to educate our clients & try to prevent the development of noise-induced hearing loss using custom hearing protection plugs. An investment in the hearing conservation of employees is an investment in their overall health.

Custom Ear Plugs

At The Ear & Audiology clinic, our Audiologist offer a variety of high-quality custom ear plugs based on your lifestyle, needs and preferences.

  • Muscian Plugs:

    Musician earplugs are designed for musicians as well as people who like to listen to music at concerts to protect hearing while preserving the sound quality of music. Research has shown that enjoying music at a live concert or through loudspeakers can have irreversible effects on your hearing. The safest level of sound for noise exposure is less than 70 dBA. Anything above 85 dBA may require hearing protection, to avoid potential hearing loss. The average sound level at a concert is around 120-129 dBA.

    Musician ear plugs come in three different protection levels depending on how loud the music environment is.

  • Swim Plugs:

    Swimming plugs are a great option for sport or leisure swimmers to protect their ears. When you are swimming there is a possibility that different bacteria in the water can be entering your ear. This can lead to an itchy, painful, and potentially serious infection known as swimmer's ear. If you think you are experiencing swimmer's ear it is recommended to visit your doctor. Custom earplugs can help you avoid infections in your ear.

  • Sleep Plugs:

    Do you work a night shift and have trouble sleeping during the day because of the noise the world makes? Does your partner snore very loudly? Are you a very light sleeper that gets disturbed by slight sounds?

    Noise prevents thousands of Canadian each night from falling and staying asleep. To help reduce the amount of noise as you go to sleep, you can get your own pair of custom earplugs, so you can get the quality of sleep you deserve.

  • Shooting Earplugs:

    The average decibel level for a gunshot is between 150 and 165 dBA, which is well above the safest level of sound for noise. Custom earplugs are the ideal solution to protect your hearing from gunshots, while helping you hear and communicate in the woods or on the range for safety purposes.

  • Motorcycle Hearing Protection:

    The custom earplugs dampen harmful and tiring noises. They still allow you to hear traffic, and your communication system perfectly.

    The safest level of sound for noise exposure is less than 70 dBA. Anything above 85 dBA may require hearing protection, to avoid potential hearing loss. Some motorcycle exhaust systems can emit noise as high as 80 dBA, it can exceed 100 dBA when the engine is revved, and airflow around a biker helmet can reach 110 dBA.

  • Noise Eearplugs:

    These earplugs can help protect your hearing from the noise of power tools, engines, and other industrial machines. It allows you to hear conversations and alarms to permit communication on-site, in the shop or on the factory floor.

Our Audiologist could recommend the best option based on your needs and take impressions safely to make any of these as they are a great way to protect your hearing and get the most out of your listening experience.

Whether you’re a music enthusiast, a frequent concert goer, a swimmer or just someone who likes to enjoy a peaceful sleep, custom earplugs are the perfect choice.

A great benefit of custom earplugs is their comfort. They’re designed to fit your ear perfectly, ensuring that you won’t experience any discomfort or pain while wearing them. This makes them ideal for sleeping, swimming and attending a concert. Contact The Ear & Audiology clinic to book your appointment to learn more about it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Earplugs

The safest level of sound for noise exposure is less than 70 dBA. Anything above 85 dBA may need hearing protection, to avoid potential hearing loss over time. The pain threshold is 120 decibels, but everyday noises over 85 dB can still impair your hearing health.

The custom earplugs order through us are made using medical grade silicone material, and are available in a wide variety of colours, whether you want them to blend in or stand out, so it is easier to find them. The silicone is washable, waterproof, and is more durable than plastic.

Since the earplugs are custom made to fit your ear, they are not returnable & comes with a 90-day remake warranty only. 

At the appointment, our Audiologist will take an impression of your ear after taking an informed consent. They will send the impressions to the manufacturer to make the earplugs. The turnaround time is roughly two to three weeks after the date of your appointment. Once the earplugs are ready to be picked up our clinic will give you a call.

Our Client’s Travel from across the GTA and The Durham Region including the residents in the cities of  Toronto, Scarborough, Pickering, AjaxWhitby, Oshawa, Bowmanville, Port Perry, Port Hope, Uxbridge, and Scugog To Receive Their Assistive Listening Devices And Custom Ear Plugs From Our Registered Audiologist.

Our Services

By offering these services, we significantly contribute to the overall well-being of Ontario residents, fostering a healthier and more connected community. It’s essential for residents to be proactive about their hearing health and seek professional assistance when needed.