Lambton Audiology Associates

09/15/2025

Is television volume a source of contention in your home?

All hearing aid manufacturers have proprietary television streaming devices. The device is connected to your existing television, and the sound from the TV comes right to your hearing aids.

While you control your own volume, everyone else in the room can enjoy the television at a volume that they find comfortable. The best part is that your hearing aids are still picking up what's going on around you, so you can still be part of the conversation.

We have a number of patients who use this device for watching TV quietly after their family has gone to sleep. It’s the perfect thing too for apartment living and being a respectful neighbour. In our experience, these devices are awesome.

There are also computer, tablet, and phone options for controlling streaming volume. Why not try it out? Call 519-542-0569, message, or drop in to explore your options.

09/12/2025

It's harvest season, and not only are the roads busy with slow moving vehicles, but loud machinery is running full tilt. I am a big advocate for farm safety for many reasons.

A conversation I love to have with patients who grew up or currently live on farms is about how loud of an environment it really is.

As a child on a farm, there were so many farm activities and machinery that we should have used hearing protection with but didn't, because it wasn't something that was widely discussed.

What's too loud? A no-cab tractor is too loud. A chainsaw is too loud. A straw chopper is too loud. Milking equipment is too loud. Pigs are too loud. Engines of machinery are too loud.

Hearing protection is necessary on a farm. A small investment today of well fitting high attenuation earplugs or earmuffs means protecting your hearing for the rest of your life.

I've seen the other side, where hearing protection hasn't been used. Lots of our patients will tell you firsthand...use the hearing protection.

(This post is targeted at my brothers specifically)

09/12/2025

Did you know the shape of your ear may play a bigger role in hearing than we once thought? Researchers have discovered that our outer ear helps our brain figure out not just where sounds come from, but even whether they’re above or below us. Fascinating, right?

👉 Learn more in this article:

Could the shape of your ear contribute to hearing loss? A new study reveals why ear shape is so important.

09/10/2025

Whether you’re our patient, family, friend, or follower: You belong. You matter. You are good enough. You deserve your place in this world.

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day. Sarnia-Lambton Su***de Prevention is an awesome organization with powerful support. Please check out their activities today if you’re able. Be sure to follow their page.


***dePreventionDay

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day! We began planning today…way back in May. We have events at Lambton Mall and Point Brewing Co., our sign challenge continues and our city is definitely “painted yellow”. We are overwhelmed by the response and support our community has offered and we are thankful for each and every one of you who has leaned in and “joined the conversation” .

Here’s the thing…..suicide prevention and life promotion are a 365 days a year commitment and we are here for it!

We’ll be here tomorrow and the next day and next week, next month and next year… looking forward to celebrating HOPE and life promotion today, please join us in doing so!

We are incredibly grateful for our many community partners who are alligned and doing parallel work…but especially Project Mental Wellness and TFT Talk For Tamara who have generously joined forces with us this year to launch a coordinated effort to acknowledge World Su***de Prevention Day!

09/10/2025

This is a common excuse we hear: "I'd do just fine if my spouse/child/friend didn't mumble".

The reality is that yes, we could all do a better job of communicating a little more effectively. However, hearing loss isn't necessarily about needing more volume. A lot of the time, hearing loss occurs in high frequencies, which is where our perception of clarity of speech comes from. When you can't hear the difference between "west" and "wet", "he" and "see", "if" and "it", a lot of the message is lost before it gets to your brain for processing. Your brain is constantly working to search for and make sense of the jumbled message it receives.

09/09/2025

One of my favourite questions at a follow up for a new hearing aid user is, "What sounds surprised you?" The answers are always awesome. Within the last month, some of my favourite answers have been crickets outside the window, clothing swishing as you walk, cats purring, and even bathroom noises! The world seems so different when you're suddenly able to hear it.

As hearing loss is generally gradual, it's almost impossible to tell when things are getting worse. That's why regular hearing assessments are crucial to monitor for changes.

When was the last time you had your hearing assessed? Our hearing care professionals recommend annual testing where known hearing loss or audiological concerns exist, and testing every 2 years even where no concerns exist.

To schedule, call 519-542-0569, message, or drop in.

We're here to help YOU hear better!

09/08/2025

Struggling to understand speech even with hearing aids? Cochlear implants could be the life-changing solution you need.

Find out if you or a loved one are a candidate:

Learn who benefits most from these small, surgically implanted devices designed for those who still struggle to understand speech, even with hearing aids.

09/06/2025

Hearing loss isn’t just an “older adult” problem anymore. Over 1 billion people aged 12-35 are at risk due to daily exposure to loud music and device usage. Protect your ears before it’s too late!

Read more:

If hearing loss is no longer associated with aging, what are the root causes? And why do young people need to be especially careful about hearing loss?

09/05/2025

Not all “hearing tests” are the same. 👂 Learn the difference between a quick screening and a full hearing evaluation and why both matter for protecting your hearing.

Getting your hearing checked regularly is vital. Get a screening from a hearing specialist and follow up with a full hearing evaluation.

09/05/2025

Infant hearing screenings occur for every child soon after birth. Receiving a pass on an infant hearing screening doesn't mean the child will not face hearing loss or auditory processing concerns down the road.

Caregivers and school staff should liberally recommend hearing screenings where children display concerns with learning and behaviour, as well as where there are signs of hearing loss and/or auditory processing concerns.

Only an Audiologist can identify hearing loss and auditory processing deficits, recommend and provide appropriate treatment, and follow the child to monitor as changes are necessary.

In Sarnia, we are lucky to have an amazing Audiology department at Pathways Health Centre for Children who have some of the best pediatric Audiologists around.

Our Sarnia and Petrolia clinics do offer child hearing assessments. To schedule, call 519-542-0569.

09/04/2025

The learning environment must be designed for the successful delivery of instruction and curriculum content. ALL students benefit when effective communication strategies are used in the classroom.

TEACHING STAFF:
1. Consider providing all instruction in both written and verbal delivery. Google Classroom has a built in voice-to-text feature for dictation of instruction.
2. Face your class while you are speaking. This is the single largest thing you can do to help students with audiological concerns. Speech reading comes from facial movements, and having your face obscured means your students miss out on important visual cues.
3. Identify where referrals are appropriate. There is no downside to a hearing screening.

ADMINISTRATION:
1. Advocate for smaller class sizes - all students benefit.
2. Encourage identification of individual student need referral and support.
3. Plan regular staff training around effective communication and instruction delivery.

CAREGIVERS:
1. Attend "Meet the Teacher" activities. Identify concerns with set up and advocate for your child where you feel improvements can be made.
2. Ask your child questions. "What would you change about your classroom to make learning easier? How do you think the rest of the students feel about the way your classroom is set up? Where do you sit in your classroom? Do you think it would be easier to learn if you sat somewhere else? How does your teacher get your attention?"
3. Advocate to administration and your legislative representatives when it comes to class sizes, accessibility, and funding.
4. Schedule a hearing screening if you have concerns with your child's behaviour or learning style.

Call 519-542-0569 to schedule a hearing screening. We're here to help YOU (and your child) hear better!

09/03/2025

Struggling to sleep because of noisy environments? 💤 Earplugs can be a simple solution but using them safely is key. From proper insertion to hygiene practices, learn how to protect your ears while improving your sleep.

If you find yourself struggling to fall asleep due to disruptive noises, earplugs might offer a simple and effective solution. By inserting a pair of