ASSINIBOIA - Geraldine Ruzicka moved to Assiniboia in May 2020 and opened her own practice “Coolidge Hearing Care” on December 1, 2020.
“I am happy to call Assiniboia and area home. I couldn’t ask for better people to work with or call friends. I am grateful for the services offered right here at the hospital and for the extra effort put out by the staff at the high school when it comes to the care of my son.”
Geraldine was honoured to be elected as President of SHIPS (Saskatchewan Hearing Instrument Practitioners Society) for the 2022-2025 term. Geraldine values education; she graduated from the Hearing Aid Practitioners Program at Grant MacEwan, completed her Audiometric Technicians course, her BC-HIS designation and her Hearing Instrument Specialist certification. She has worked in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
“I’ve been practicing over 20 years now and have been wearing hearing aids for 40 years,” said Ruzicka. “In April of 2007 I opened my own clinic in Lloydminster, which I ran for 11 years before selling. As hard as it was for me to leave, I needed to take some time to deal with my son’s health.
“My youngest son had been enrolled in a medical clinical trial for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. It was during that time my husband and I made the choice to relocate to Assiniboia to be closer to family and focus on the care my son needed. I continue to keep up my annual education needs for both Alberta and Saskatchewan.”
Some people question the training of a Hearing Aid Practitioner as compared to an Audiologist. Hearing Aid Practitioners and audiologists have the same skill training. The main difference, explains Geraldine, is that an audiologist focuses much of their training on research and is trained to test hearing in all demographics including infants, the mentally disabled, and those who cannot respond to the typical hearing test, whereas the HIP has a smaller scope of practice, largely limited to the mainstream adult population, 18 years of age and over.
This huge adult population accounts for the vast majority of the hearing-impaired population, and either the HIP or Audiologist can aptly serve this population.
The HIP is a college-trained professional who is well-equipped to test hearing, recommend, and dispense hearing aids.
“I work with doctors and specialists to create a full health care plan unique to each client. After more than 20 years in the industry, I have been blessed to have worked with and been taught by many leading professionals in the industry.”
Coolidge Hearing offers the following services: complete comprehensive hearing evaluations; education and support; medical referrals; latest in technology for hearing aids and all assistive devices; repairs, maintenance and adjustment of Hearing Aids (either theirs or those purchased elsewhere); counselling on use and auditory shock; flexible payment options; and custom moulds for sleeping, swimming, noise and communication
“As a fully licensed member of SHIPS (Saskatchewan Hearing Instrument Practitioners Society) I am privileged to offer services for all provincial and federal insurance agencies, which include DVA (Department of Veteran’s Affairs), NIHB (non-insured health benefits), WCB SK, WCB AB, Saskatchewan Extended Benefits as well as private insurance companies,” said Ruzicka.
To make an appointment, residents can call them at 306-642-4242, email [email protected], visit the www.coolidgehearing.com website, or find Coolidge Hearing Care on Facebook. Referrals are not necessary. They are located at 101 Third Avenue East.
