If you or someone you love is struggling to hear clearly, especially in noisy places, this episode of HearMeOut with Belinda is packed with insight, hope, and practical tools. Belinda sits down with audiologist Dr. Sandra Vandenhoff to discuss cochlear implants, hearing fatigue, word recognition, auditory rehabilitation, and how adults can train their brains to hear better.

Sandra shares her personal journey with progressive hearing loss, what it was like to receive her first cochlear implant, and how that experience changed the course of her life. Together, Belinda and Sandra break down the difference between hearing aids and cochlear implants, why hearing in noise is so exhausting, and how adults can improve communication, confidence, and connection through auditory training, lip reading, and better strategies.

This is a powerful conversation for anyone navigating hearing loss, supporting a loved one, or wanting to understand better what hearing rehabilitation really looks like.

00:00 Introduction

01:17 Sandra’s cochlear implant story 04:23 Her hearing loss journey

07:37 What HEARa means

09:26 Training your brain to hear better 

16:29 Communication strategies that help

If this episode resonated with you, make sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could benefit from this conversation. Hearing support is about more than devices — it is about connection, confidence, and quality of life.

#HearMeOutWithBelinda #CochlearImplants #HearingLoss #Audiologist #AuditoryRehabilitation #HearingHealth #HearRightCanada #HearingInNoise #OkotoksPodcast #BelindaWaites

Host: Belinda Waites

Youtube: @belindawaites 

Instagram: @belindawaites

Belinda Waites - Hear Right Canada – Okotoks: where better hearing starts with listening.

🌐 hearrightcanada.ca

Guest: Dr. Sandra Vandenhoff

Title: Audiologist Instagram: @heara.ca Youtube: @HEARa

Website: www.heara.ca