Susan Sinclair

M.A., Aud (C) RAUD, RHIP

Nexgen Hearing

Susan Sinclair

M.A., Aud (C) RAUD, RHIP

Susan has been an audiologist for over 30 years. She grew up in Vancouver, BC, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics and French. Susan earned her Master of Arts degree in Audiology at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. Susan spent the first part of her career in northern British Columbia, working with both children and adults in a clinical setting, diagnosing and treating hearing losses.

Languages Spoken: English, French

Associations: Better Business Bureau, College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC, Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC)

Services: Hearing aid consultation and fitting, Children's hearing tests, Custom ear plugs, Employment hearing tests, Hearing aid service and repair, Physician reports, Tinnitus assessment and support, Loaner instruments

Visit Susan Sinclair at

Courtenay Hearing Clinic
325 B 11th Street Courtenay, BC, V9N 1S4 (250) 871-2285

Today's hours: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Answers about hearing aids and more

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my hearing get worse if I don’t wear my hearing aid?

The act of not wearing a hearing aid in itself will not make your hearing get worse. What can make your hearing get worse is not wearing a hearing aid and needing to increase the volume on things like televisions, radios, and headphones, or needing people you are talking to talk louder. We recommend you wear your hearing aid as directed by your doctor and audiologist. However, if you are not wearing your hearing device, be sure not to overdo it with turning up the volume.

How long do hearing aid batteries last?

The life of a hearing aid’s battery is impacted by many factors such as the hearing aid model, battery brand, battery technology, and how the device is used. The model of the hearing aid is integral in determining the life of the battery. Some hearing aids are better than others in terms of battery consumption while others offer features that will more quickly drain a battery. Batteries come in four common sizes (10, 312, 13, 675). Based on a 16 hour day of wear, the average lifespan for a standard battery is listed below:
â €
Size 10: 3 – 7 days
Size 312: 3 – 10 days
Size 13: 6 – 14 days
Size 675: 9 – 20 days
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If you prefer, rechargeable hearing aid batteries are also available for certain models of hearing aids that greatly improve the ease of replacing your batteries. Consult with your local NexGen Hearing aid practitioner for additional details.

When should I get my hearing checked?

At NexGen Hearing, we recommend that you have your hearing tested once per year as a precautionary measure, especially if you are frequently in noisy environments. Also, if you find yourself doing any of the following, it could mean you are experiencing hearing loss and should see us for a free hearing test:

  • You start turning up the television or radio louder than normal.
  • You struggle to understand speech and follow conversations.
  • You frequently twist your body or neck to point your ear towards what you’re listening to.
  • You regularly hear a high-pitched ringing noise (tinnitus).
  • You miss phone calls, doorbells or alarms.

If you are experiencing any of these situations, don’t delay or wait for it to improve naturally. Come see us for a free hearing test to determine the state of your hearing.

What are the signs of hearing loss?

There are many signs and symptoms of hearing loss. The signs of hearing loss can differ from person to person depending on the type of hearing loss that they are experiencing. General signs of hearing loss include:

  • Voices sounding muffled or unclear
  • Not being able to tell where a sound is coming from (known as localization)
  • Needing higher volume settings on televisions, stereos and headphones
  • Trouble differentiating between foreground and background noise

If you notice any of these signs in your life, contact our hearing clinic right away to schedule a free hearing test.

At what age do people start to lose their hearing?

Most people will naturally start to lose their hearing around the age of 65. Certain factors can cause people to being to lose their hearing sooner or later in life, such as:

  • Smoking (studies show that smokers experience more hearing loss than non-smokers)
  • Genetics
  • Medical Conditions
  • Medications
  • Sickness
  • Repeated Exposure to Loud Noises

It is always a good idea to get your hearing tested regularly to make sure your hearing health is in good order, and this is especially the case as you get older and closer to 65 years of age. Contact us today to schedule a free hearing test at our clinic!