When Carmelle Sevigny-Black, registered hearing aid practitioner, opened Discover Hearing in 2001, she had a very focused purpose.
“I wanted to create a hearing practice where people felt genuinely heard, respected and cared for – not simply treated as another appointment or number. I also wanted to build a business that was locally owned and invested in the community I served.”
Now, as Discover Hearing celebrates a milestone anniversary, she reflects on the journey it took to meet – and exceed – those goals.
“When I first opened Discover Hearing, I worked on my own for approximately a year and a half. I was very fortunate to have my good friend, Nelia, join me as my administrative coordinator. Her support marked the beginning of building the wonderful team I have today. I am now proud to have five staff members who assist me in providing care and service to our clients,” Sevigny-Black says. “Over the years, the practice has grown while remaining true to our original values. We have continued to evolve with advances in hearing technology and audiology, expanding the services we provide to meet the changing needs of our clients.”
Today those services include hearing screenings and comprehensive audiological assessments, hearing aids, custom hearing protection and other solutions.
Sevigny-Black continues. “I think many people are surprised by just how much goes into properly addressing hearing loss. Hearing is incredibly personal. Two people can have the same degree of hearing loss but very different lifestyles, communication needs and expectations. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Being locally owned allows us to build long-term relationships with our clients and provide a level of personal service that is very important to me.”
She’s also a strong advocate for hearing health, encouraging all to take the time to take care of their ears is before problems arise.
“Many people wait years before having their hearing tested, and one of the biggest myths is that hearing aids are only for older people. Hearing loss can affect people of all ages. It can happen gradually, so people often adapt to it without realizing how much they are missing,” Sevigny-Black advises. “Our challenge – and our opportunity – is helping people understand that hearing care should be part of their overall health and quality of life, rather than something they address only when their hearing becomes significantly worse.”
She also cautions that hearing aids are often misunderstood. They don’t simply make sounds louder.
“Today’s hearing aids are incredibly sophisticated. Many offer advanced speech-in-noise processing, automatic environmental adjustments, rechargeable batteries and direct connectivity to smartphones, televisions and other devices. There are also specialized solutions for tinnitus, custom hearing protection and devices designed for particular listening environments. What excites me most is that hearing technology continues to become more discreet, more intelligent and more personalized to hear help people both hear better and communicate more naturally.”
What she find rewarding is, “Without question, seeing the difference better hearing makes in someone’s life. There is nothing quite like seeing a client’s reaction when they hear something clearly that they haven’t heard well in years – a spouse’s voice, grandchildren, birds, music or simply being able to participate more easily in a conversation.”
Outside of the clinic, Sevigny-Black and her team enjoy giving back in meaningful ways.
“I am proud to be a fourth-generation resident of St. Albert. My family has deep roots in this community, dating back to the late 1800s. My great-grandparents, members of the Sevigny family, were among the early pioneers in St. Albert. Having such a strong connection to this community has made it especially meaningful to build my business here and serve the people and families who call St. Albert home,” she explains. “As a local business, I believe we have a responsibility to support the community that has supported us for 25 years. We have been fortunate to participate in and support many community initiatives and organizations.
To me, success is also about making a positive difference in the community around us.”
With gratitude, Sevigny-Black says, “First and foremost, I want to acknowledge my family for their support throughout the years. I also want to recognize my incredible team, past and present, as well as the healthcare professionals, industry partners and community organizations who have supported Discover Hearing. Each have played an important role in helping us grow and provide the best possible care to our clients.
“I am also incredibly grateful to the hearing aid manufacturers we have partnered with over the years, especially Oticon Canada. Their ongoing support, knowledge, education and commitment to quality have been invaluable to me and my team. Their continued innovation and advancements in hearing technology have allowed us to offer our clients some of the best hearing solutions available, while ensuring we continue to learn, grow and stay current in an ever-changing industry.
“Most importantly, I want to thank our clients. They have trusted us with something incredibly important – their ability to communicate, connect and participate fully in the lives of the people they love.”
Sevigny-Black concludes, “The hearing aid is only one piece of the puzzle. Ultimately, our goal is to help people communicate more easily, stay connected with the people they love and enjoy a better quality of life. Don’t wait to do something about your hearing. It affects your relationships, your confidence, your independence and your quality of life. If you or your family notice a change in your hearing, have it checked; and most importantly, don’t be embarrassed about hearing loss. There is absolutely no shame in asking for help.”