Sonic Perspectives: Audiologist Speaker Series (Virtual Series)

Sonic Perspectives: An Audiologist Speaker Series 

Join us for one or all of the six presentations as we explore the world of all things related to hearing health. IDHHC audiology team as well as experts from around the province will share education and provide updated information on subjects like cochlear implants, tinnitus and Bluetooth. All Sonic Perspectives a delivered online with in person viewing space @ IDHHC Victoria or Nanaimo.  

Each session is $10 or free for IDHHC members ($25 annually).  Sign up for an IDHHC membership.

 

 Unlocking the World of Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids 

Wednesday March 6   Time: 10:30 – 11:30 

Are you curious about the intricate world of hearing health and hearing technology? Join us for an enlightening workshop that delves into the basics of hearing loss and the impact of hearing amplification. Discover how audiologists diagnose and categorize hearing loss and when medical referrals become essential. Explore the variety of hearing aids available and gain insights into what they can achieve. 

Our audiologists will guide you through the art of an accurate hearing aid fitting, sharing their skill on real ear measurements – a critical step in ensuring optimal hearing aid performance. From understanding what hearing aids can and cannot do, to understanding the essential role they play in enhancing your auditory experience, this workshop will empower you with valuable knowledge for better hearing health. There is no cost to attend Captioning and interpreting are available upon request. 

Delivered Online with in person viewing space @ IDHHC Victoria or Nanaimo  

 Nurturing Your Hearing Aids – Care and Maintenance 

Wednesday April 3rd 10:30 – 11:30 

Your hearing aids are more than devices; they are your connection to the world of sound. Discover the essential practices of caring for and maintaining your hearing aids to ensure they perform at their best. Our interactive workshop will cover the entire spectrum of care, from cleaning and changing wax guards to troubleshooting common problems and effectively using tools for cleaning. 

Learn the art of changing your wax guards and explore the intricacies of feedback issues, retention locks, and dehumidifying methods to extend the life of your devices. Our audiologists will guide you through the steps to troubleshoot charging problems and will offer insights on when it’s time to connect with your audiologist for professional assistance. There is no cost to attend Captioning and interpreting are available upon request.. Delivered Online with in person viewing space @ IDHHC Victoria or Nanaimo  

 Seamlessly Connecting with Bluetooth and Wireless Technology 

Wednesday May 1st 10:30 – 11:30 

Our captivating workshop focuses on the wonders of Bluetooth and wireless advancements, allowing you to connect your hearing aids to the world around you. Uncover the magic of pairing your smartphone with your hearing aids and learn to download and use specialized apps for your hearing aids. 

Discover the joy of streaming audio directly from your phone, as well as from TV transmitters and remote microphones. Our audiologists will guide you through the process of troubleshooting Bluetooth issues and will help you fine-tune your hearing aids using your Bluetooth app. Join us for an enlightening journey into the future of hearing enhancement through wireless innovation. There is no cost to attend. Captioning and interpreting are available upon request. 

Delivered Online with in person viewing space @ IDHHC Victoria or Nanaimo  

 Your questions about Tinnitus – a Q&A with Glynnis Tidball 

Thursday April 18th 10:30-11:30 

Delivered Online with in person viewing space @ IDHHC Victoria or Nanaimo 

 IDHHC will be hosting Glynnis Tidball, tinnitus specialist and audiologist for this webinar.   

Glynnis Tidball is a registered clinical audiologist at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver and clinical instructor at the School of Audiology and Speech Sciences in the UBC Faculty of Medicine. Her primary professional focus for the last two decades has been management of tinnitus and hyperacusis. She provides tinnitus counselling sessions at the St. Paul’s Hospital Tinnitus Clinic and is a sponsored speaker on tinnitus and hyperacusis to audiology and otolaryngology groups across Canada. Glynnis has also written articles on tinnitus, hyperacusis and misophonia, published in the professional e-journal Canadian Audiologist, and participated in the development of tinnitus first aid kit for the Ida Institute.  

Delivered Online with in person viewing space @ IDHHC Victoria or Nanaimo  

 Cochlear Implants (CI): what they are, how they work, & the CI referral process  

Date: Thursday May 16th 12-1pm  

Join Jowan Lee and Myron Huen form the St. Pauls Hospital Adult Cochlear Implant Program for a presentation and Q&A about Cochlear Implants. Jowan Lee began his audiology career as a dispensing audiologist, helping clients improve their ability to hear using hearing aid technology.  After 4 years working in amplification, Jowan jumped at the chance to work as a cochlear implant audiologist at St. Paul’s CI program.  15 years later, he continues to enjoy seeing the direct benefits patients receive from their cochlear implants. Myron Huen had the honour of being a student at St. Paul’s Hospital early on in her audiology education, which helped her realize that she was passionate about working in the field of cochlear implants and diagnostic audiology. After completing her research and thesis at UBC and starting off with some relief Audiology work, Myron began her full-time audiology career as a diagnostic audiologist at St. Paul’s Hospital, with the goal of joining the adult cochlear implant team. After working 7 years at St. Paul’s Hospital, Myron continues to be fascinated by the field of audiology as well as all the audiology and non-audiology related things she has learned from her patients. She also enjoys working with a wonderful interdisciplinary team to help patients reach their optimal communication potential. Captioning and interpreting will be provided. 

Delivered Online with in person viewing space @ IDHHC Victoria or Nanaimo  

 Remote technology and Bluetooth  

Thursday March 7th 12:00-1pm  

IDHHC is excited to host a webinar with audiologist Daniel Paccioretti who will be answering your questions on remote technology and bluetooth. A graduate of San Francisco State University with a Masters in Communication Disorders, Dan has more than 40 years’ experience as an audiologist. Dan has provided hearing related services, and developed programs, for individuals with hearing loss of all ages. He has taught at the graduate level and conducted clinical research. Dan currently works as a consultant and trainer for the Pacific Audiology Group, a continuing education service for hearing care professionals.  

Delivered Online with in person viewing space @ IDHHC Victoria or Nanaimo  

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community Consultation

The Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre is looking for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals on Vancouver Island to participate in our community survey. This is an opportunity for you to share your experiences and concerns about the services you have received. This is an opportunity to bring up any gaps in service, and provide any ideas on how to make things better for the community.

Video transcript:

[Audio description: Backdrop on screen is a map of Vancouver Island.

On the left is the logo for the Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre and the words, “Special Announcement.”

Vinu Abraham pops up from below the screen. He is wearing a dark blue shirt and is very enthusiastic.]

Vinu: Hey! Why don’t you be part of this community consultation?

Who’s this for?

[Audio description: John Warren pops up from below the screen next to Vinu wearing a black shirt and glasses.]

John: It’s for Deaf and Hard of Hearing islanders!

[Audio description: Screen transition. Map disappears. Vinu is seated in front of a light grey backdrop with the words, “Vinu Abraham, Facilitator” below him.]

Vinu:  The Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre, on Vancouver Island, has asked me to help with a community survey for Vancouver Island folks to express their experiences and concerns about the services they receive. This is an opportunity to bring up any gaps in service, provide any ideas on how to make things better for the community. 

[Audio description: On the bottom of the screen appears the writing, “vinuconsulting@hotmail.com.”]

Vinu:  The IDHHC will use this information to help improve their services. My colleague will explain it in more detail.

[Audio description: Screen transition. John Warren sitting in front of a light grey screen 

wearing a black shirt. The words, “John Warren, Organizer” appear on the bottom of the screen.]

John:  IDHHC reached out to Vinu, who agreed to host a community forum in order to garner vital feedback from the community so that the IDHHC can improve their services.

[Audio description: To the left of John appears a photo of an office building. 

Written in yellow text is: Saturday, January 13, 2024, 3960 Quadra Street #301, Victoria, BC.]

John:  This will take place on Saturday, January 13th at 4:30pm in the new IDHHC building. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing community is invited to be part of this round table information-gathering session. Your suggestions, ideas and feedback will be documented at this meeting. If you prefer to give your feedback in private, you can contact Vinu any time for that. 

[Audio description: Photo of office building fades away.]

John:  First of all, there are three main components to this consultation: the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community who receive the services, the IDHHC who provide the services, and the government who provide funding for the services. 

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing community have rights to clear communication, interpreting, education, captioning, employment, and access to medical services. The goal of this feedback is to allow the IDHHC to get a clear picture of how they can improve their services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing islanders. They will take this information to the government and advocate for funding to help improve services for the community on Vancouver Island. 

IDHHC’s goal is to improve overall quality of life for the community. This will be done by encouraging leadership, the ability to resolve issues as they arise, help improve community partnerships, and help reduce the isolation some people encounter as a result of a lack of services. 

Advocacy, services and funding, the three main components to help improve the services. Your feedback is important.

[Audio description: A minimal, graphic map of Vancouver Island appears to the left of John.]

John:  There are five possible locations where these meetings will take place. First of all, Victoria, January 13th. 

[Audio description: The word “Victoria” appears on the southern end of the map, in bold black letters, then disappears.]

John:  Nanaimo, on January 27th. There will be an announcement about this soon. 

[Audio description: The word “Nanaimo” appears just above Victoria, in bold black letters, then disappears.]

John:  Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River.

[Audio description: The words “Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River” appear in quick succession moving north on the map, disappearing one after the other.]

John:  And finally, Duncan and the Gulf Islands.

[Audio description: The words “Duncan, Gulf Islands” appear in quick succession at the map’s southern tip.]

[Audio description: All location names appear at once on the map.]
John:  For sure, Victoria will be happening, and Nanaimo. The other ones will yet to be determined.

[Audio description: Screen transition. Vinu is on screen seated in front of a grey background.]

Vinu: Your feedback is very important for this process. Then the Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre can help improve their services for you, the Deaf community.

[Audio description: Screen transition. John is on screen seated in front of a grey background.]

John:  We will see you there!

[Audio description: Photo of IDHHC’s office building pops up on John’s right. John points to the image to emphasize the word “there.”]

[Audio description: Screen is black, with the white text “vinuconsulting@hotmail.com” appearing in the center of the screen.]

 

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