Hearing aids
Hearing aids that fit your hearing and your life
Independent advice, six leading brands, and a complimentary demo before you decide. Our expert hearing instrument specialists fit hearing aids to your hearing and your lifestyle, and include all aftercare and counselling.
Widex, Signia, ReSound, Starkey, Phonak, Oticon
Complimentary in-clinic demos
Fitting and aftercare included
Funding and financing help
How it works
How we fit hearing aids
Purchasing hearing aids is not like buying glasses off a rack. Hearing instrument specialists complete extensive training in the recommendation and fitting of hearing aids. The hearing aid device is only part of the equation; the skill of the hearing instrument specialist programming, fitting and adjusting the hearing aids largely determines a person’s success with hearing aids. Here is how fittings work at Hear & Co.
The hearing test
Complimentary if you are 55 or over. The hearing test tells us exactly what you hear and what you miss, in each ear.
A conversation about your life
Restaurants, meetings, grandchildren, phone calls, the car, the television. Where you struggle decides which features matter.
Recommendation
We suggest a style, a brand and a technology level, and we explain why. Because we are independent, the answer is based on your test.
Complimentary demo
You hear the recommendation in the clinic, programmed to your test, before you commit. At-home trials are an option as well.
Fitting
We fine-tune the programming, check the physical fit and teach you how to use, clean and charge them. We also carry out real ear measurements, the gold standard for verifying a hearing aid fitting.
Follow-up
Adjustments in the first weeks are normal and included. We continue to see you for cleaning and checks, and for reprogramming if your hearing changes. All aftercare and counselling is included.
Styles
Hearing aid styles at a glance
Modern hearing aids come in a range of styles, and here are six of the ones we fit. Which one suits you depends on your degree of hearing loss, the shape of your ear, your dexterity and your cosmetic preferences.
Receiver in canal (RIC)
A small unit behind the ear with a thin wire to a speaker in the canal. Discreet, comfortable and suits mild to severe losses.
Completely in canal (CIC)
Custom-made and sits deep in the canal, nearly invisible. Suits mild to moderate loss and steady hands.
Instant fit CIC
A ready-made, completely in canal aid that needs no impression, so you can be fitted and leave the same day.
In the canal (ITC)
A custom shell that sits in the outer part of the canal. Partly visible, easy to insert, room for controls.
In the ear (ITE)
A custom shell that fills the bowl of the ear. Easy to handle, with room for controls, and powerful enough to suit severe loss.
Earbud style
A modern, rechargeable in-the-ear aid that looks like a wireless earbud. Suitable for mild to moderate hearing losses.
All six styles come in rechargeable models
Brands we carry
Six brands, one honest recommendation
We fit the latest hearing aid technology from Widex, Signia, ReSound, Starkey, Phonak and Oticon. Each manufacturer has its own approach to sound processing, noise handling, phone connectivity and rechargeable batteries. Hear & Co is not linked to a manufacturer, meaning the selection process is tied to the lifestyle and unique needs of the patient.
Cost and funding
What hearing aids cost, and what help is available
Hearing aid prices depend on the technology level, not the style. Entry-level aids handle quiet settings well, but have no noise management. Mid-range hearing aids add moderate noise management and connectivity. Premium aids perform optimally in restaurants, groups and wind, adjust themselves as you move between environments, and use artificial intelligence to make hearing in noisy environments easier. Premium is the level we recommend.
Part of the cost may be covered by Ontario's Assistive Devices Program, private or workplace insurance, WSIB, Veterans Affairs Canada, Non-Insured Health Benefits, the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or insurers such as Green Shield, and we offer monthly financing through Medicard. We help you find out what you qualify for and handle the paperwork.
After the fitting
Trial and aftercare
We take care of your hearing health after you have been fitted with your hearing aids. Cleaning, checks, reprogramming as your hearing changes, minor repairs and help with wax guards and domes are all part of your package with Hear & Co. Adjustments, cleaning, checks and reprogramming are included for three years, with no limit on visits. Cleans and checks are included for the life of the aids.
Good to know
Hearing aid questions
How do hearing aids work?
A microphone captures the sounds around you, while a small processor analyzes them and provides more amplification where your hearing requires it. The hearing aid also helps manage background noise (in mid-range and premium technology) before a speaker delivers the processed sound into your ear. The programming is set to your own audiogram, which is why a thorough hearing test is the initial step.
How long do hearing aids last?
Most people get five years from a pair with regular cleaning and servicing. Rechargeable batteries typically last the life of the aid. If your hearing thresholds change, hearing aids are reprogrammable to the new prescription.
Where can I get hearing aids in Hamilton?
At Hear & Co in Ancaster. We are an independent clinic, allowing you to compare brands in one place, and the demo is complimentary.
Are hearing aids covered by OHIP?
OHIP does not pay for hearing aids. Ontario's Assistive Devices Program contributes up to $500 per ear toward the cost for eligible residents, and other funding sources may apply. See our funding page for the details.
Can I try hearing aids before I buy?
Yes. Book a complimentary in-clinic demo and hear them programmed to your own test.
Book
Start with a free hearing test
The first step toward hearing aids is finding out exactly what you hear. Book a complimentary hearing test if you are 55 or over, or a complimentary demo if you already have a recent audiogram.