Frequently Asked Questions

Our goal is to reduce barriers to hearing healthcare. As such, we provide complimentary hearing tests to adults (18 years of age and older) who want a baseline for their hearing or are concerned about permanent hearing loss. Pediatric hearing assessments, as well as adult hearing tests for school, job applications, acute medical check-ups, and other situations requiring signatures or the completion of forms, are $90.

Unfortunately, hearing services like tests and earwax removal are no longer covered by OHIP. We opened Archer Hearing Centre to provide accessible hearing healthcare and audiology services to our community. True to our mission, we offer free hearing tests for adults 18 years of age and older. Our earwax removal service is $60 per appointment.

If you’re exploring your options for hearing aids in Ontario, you might wonder about coverage under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Currently, OHIP does not cover the cost of hearing aids. However, financial assistance is available through the Ontario Assistive Devices Program (ADP), which offers support to individuals needing hearing aids, regardless of age or income level.

To be eligible for the ADP, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a resident of Ontario with a valid Ontario health card.
• Have a hearing disability that necessitates a hearing device for six months or longer.

It’s important to note that your income does not affect eligibility for the ADP, ensuring that the program is accessible to everyone who needs it. The program provides a subsidy of $500 per hearing aid, which is applicable every three to five years. Patients are responsible for any costs exceeding this amount.

Please be aware that individuals receiving benefits from workplace safety or insurance programs, or Group A veterans who are already receiving financial support from Veterans Affairs Canada, are not eligible for the ADP.

For more detailed information, we recommend visiting the official Ontario Assistive Devices Program webpage or contacting our clinic for guidance on navigating these options. The ADP application form requires the signature of an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. Here at Archer Hearing Centre, we take care of the entire ADP application process, helping patients navigate the funding journey.

Just like regular eye and dental check-ups, it’s important to have your hearing tested throughout your life. After infancy (where hearing tests are conducted at birth), many people overlook the importance of continued hearing health monitoring.

Our clinic recommends scheduling hearing evaluations at significant life events — starting grade school, entering university, when turning 50, and upon retirement, for example. These milestones are great opportunities to detect any changes in your hearing, and to provide a baseline to compare against in the future.

After age 60, we recommend having your hearing tested every two years to detect gradual age-related changes in your hearing. Hearing loss often “sneaks up” on people because of its gradual nature.

Being proactive not only addresses potential issues early on but also supports your overall well-being, keeping you connected to your surroundings. Good hearing health is crucial for healthy aging and for engaging fully with the world around you!

And finally, no matter what age you are, if you notice a change in your hearing ability, have increased difficulty listening in noisy environments, or find that you’re turning up the TV volume, these are all strong signs to get your hearing tested as soon as possible.

Not at all! If you would like to book a hearing assessment or consultation, you can schedule an appointment directly with us. Click here or give us a call at 905-201-2246.

This is another of the most frequently asked questions at our clinic. The answer is, yes, we take all major insurance and group benefit plans! Call us to find out if we can direct bill with your insurance. If not, we will provide all documentation and guide you through how to submit the claim yourself.

Check out our Financing & Insurance page for more details.

Yes, we are an authorized vendor for all major third-party funding sources. If you are receiving funding from WSIB, VAC/DVA, ODSP, Ontario Works, NIHB, IFHB, or other provincial or national funding sources, we can help you directly access coverage for hearing aids if applicable.

Yes, we apply for ADP funding for all eligible patients. As ADP authorized vendors in Ontario and audiologists, we can guide you through the process, sign off on the forms, and even submit the paperwork on your behalf.

Understanding the differences between an audiologist and a hearing instrument specialist is key to embarking on your hearing healthcare journey.

Audiologists are highly trained healthcare professionals, holding master’s or doctoral degrees, and are regulated by the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO). Their area of focus spans hearing loss prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and the management of balance and hearing issues. Audiologists offer comprehensive hearing services to individuals of all ages, including those with special needs.

Hearing instrument specialists qualify by completing a college program available both in-person and online. Their practice primarily targets the adult demographic, specializing in conducting hearing assessments and fitting hearing aids.

Although they do not fall under a regulatory body, they are affiliated with a professional association in Ontario, which differs from a regulatory college that focuses on public protection and standards.

While both professionals play essential roles in hearing health, their scope of practice, education, and regulatory oversight vary significantly. It’s crucial to consider these differences when choosing a Markham hearing clinic, ensuring you receive the care, empathy, and expertise you deserve.

Archer Hearing Centre is committed to guiding you through this process, helping you make an informed choice between the comprehensive care offered by audiologists and the specialized services provided by hearing instrument specialists

Hearing aids, classified as medical devices, are exempt from Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in Canada. Additionally, out-of-pocket expenses for hearing aids may be eligible for tax deductions when filing your income tax, further alleviating the financial burden. For detailed guidance on claiming these expenses and understanding the tax benefits, refer to the Canada Revenue Agency’s official website.

At Archer Hearing Centre, our focus is on patient satisfaction and ensuring that you get the full benefit from your hearing aids. Therefore, we prioritize thorough follow-up care to support you while you adjust to the new sound, and we encourage you to call or email us with questions or concerns. You can make as many follow-up appointments as needed so that we can make adjustments to the sound or fit, or review anything you’re uncertain about.

We also offer a 90-day trial period, during which time you can return your hearing aids for a full refund, and try a different model of hearing aids if appropriate.