Health units are still offering speech and hearing services

News Release
NWHU

May is Speech and Hearing Awareness Month and despite a current audiologist position vacancy at the Northwestern Health Unit’s Kenora office location, the following audiology and hearing services continue to be provided through its Fort Frances and Dryden locations:
Hearing tests and screening for people of all ages.
Hearing care counselling and hearing health care information
Customized hearing aid prescriptions
Hearing aid dispensing and repairs
“Historically, the Northwestern Health Unit has employed the audiologists who work in the Kenora Rainy River District. We continue to be aggressive in searching for an audiologist for our Kenora office location” says Karen Essery, Director of Clinical Services. Since November 2007 the position has been advertised provincially, nationally and internationally. Not unlike other regulated health professionals, Canada lacks the number of qualified individuals required to fill current vacancies; however, two other audiologists, Ms. Jackie McCormick and Ms. Tanya Bowyer, located in Fort Frances and Dryden respectively, are available by appointment. They travel throughout the District providing service to Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Ear Falls, Atikokan and Rainy River. In addition. Ms. McCormick will be visiting the Kenora office three times per month until another audiologist is hired.
Although the focus of the Health Unit’s program is on identifying hearing loss in infants and children, hearing tests and hearing aid dispensing services, including repairs, are offered to all age groups without the necessity of a physician’s referral.
People wanting to know more about our services and details on obtaining a hearing appointment should contact their local Health Unit office or call Kenora at (807)468-3436 or toll free 1-800-465-4377.