Successful Hearing Health Check Day at Siksika Elders Lodge

In partnership with Siksika Elders Services, Siksika Elders Lodge hosted the Ears to You – hearing health check day for our Siksika Gahsiinooniiks (Elders) on January 24th, 2025 where the day turned out to be very successful, as we had spots for 10 people and all appointments were filled.

It is known that at times, especially in the wintertime that transportation or travelling distances can be an issue.  So, after some research, Siksika Elders Lodge Team Leader connected with Ears to You representative – Christa Cloherty to arrange this first test pilot date on-site at the Siksika Elders Lodge, so our Elders did not have to travel too far from Siksika to get a hearing health test.

Hearing health is so important for a person’s health, wellbeing and safety and as a preventative measure we are encouraging our Elders or those soon to be 65 years old to have their hearing checked.

Our next scheduled dates are February 25th. 2025 at the Siksika Elders Lodge, if you are an Elder or are caring for an Elder in Community and are interested in booking an appointment, please contact Siksika Elders Lodge at 403-734-5730 or Siksika Elders Services at 403-734-5747.

The appointments on-site are about 1 hour each and we encourage arrival of at least 15-20 mins prior to prepare or fill out any paperwork, most details are obtained a week or two prior.

The Ears to You Team follows up with NIHB or other benefits providers to obtain coverage for any recommended hearing aids and will follow up with you or your family member if needed.  However, please continue to seek the guidance of your regular physician if needed, as there can be other causes of hearing loss.

Siksika Elders Lodge in partnership with Elders Services will continue to seek partners to help provide preventative solutions for our Elderly or those aged 55 and older to help them to age gracefully and safely in our community.

In the near future, we will also be working on a new strategy to launch in this new year that will provide Caregivers at home caring for the Elderly, practical advice and educational techniques to help them help their loved ones safely, announcements to come soon.

Special thank you to Siksika Elders Services – Larry and Cultural Liaison Floria who helped with this special day with transportation or translation and to Christa, Justin and Trish of Ears to You.

What can hearing loss cause?

Hearing loss can significantly impact daily life by making communication difficult, leading to social isolation, frustration, and decreased quality of life, as people may struggle to understand conversations, miss important information, and feel left out of social situations, especially in noisy environments; this can affect relationships, work performance, and overall well-being. 

Key ways hearing loss affects daily life:

Communication difficulties:

  • Difficulty following conversations, especially in groups or with background noise 
  • Needing to ask people to repeat themselves frequently 
  • Misunderstanding information due to inability to hear subtle sounds 
  • Challenges with phone calls

Social isolation:

  • Avoiding social gatherings due to fear of not being able to hear 
  • Feeling left out of conversations and unable to fully participate 
  • Reduced social interaction and potential loneliness 

Emotional impact:

  • Frustration and annoyance at not being able to hear 
  • Embarrassment or self-consciousness about asking for repetition 
  • Decreased self-esteem and confidence 
  • Potential for depression and anxiety 

Safety concerns:

  • Difficulty hearing important sounds like car horns, smoke alarms, or doorbells 
  • Increased risk of accidents due to reduced situational awareness 

Work implications:

  • Challenges in meetings and collaborating with colleagues 
  • Difficulty following instructions or receiving important information 
  • Potential limitations in career advancement 

Important points to consider:

Severity of hearing loss: The impact of hearing loss varies depending on the degree of hearing loss. 

Age and lifestyle: Older adults may experience greater social isolation due to hearing loss. 

Treatment options: Hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive technologies can significantly improve quality of life for people with hearing loss.