Ever wish you could hear what you've been missing?

Hearing loss is an insidious stalker. It sneaks up on you so gradually you may not realize you're losing aural touch with your world.

Then, one day, you realize to your dismay that you can't make out the production numbers being quoted by the CFO, sitting at the far end of the boardroom table.

When that day dawns, it's time to face the music – and to give yourself a chance to hear the music again, in all its rich immediacy.

Clinical Audiologists Diane Fennell and Steve Beaumont will host a lunch-and-learn session next month.

It's time to introduce yourself to Audiology Consultants of Southern Alberta Ltd., the only certified team of audiologists with a clinic conveniently situated in Calgary's downtown core.

Time, too, to discover how quickly and painlessly Diane Fennell and her associate, Steve Beaumont, can administer a complete hearing examination.

It's fast and simple: the evaluation can be expedited during your lunch break, if need be. Just duck into the Audiology Consultants' fully-equipped and user-friendly clinic at Suite #180 of Gulf Canada Square.

Diane and Steve pride themselves on their city-wide reputation for informal professionalism and stellar customer service. Make your initial call to 403.262.2020, and you'll rarely have to wait more than a day or two for a get-acquainted appointment.

Who needs to have their hearing evaluated? You'd be surprised.

"I have a customer who came in to see us after a business meeting. He was at the back of the room and found himself agreeing to terms and conditions he really couldn't hear," said Diane. "That's scary."

Hearing loss is an equal- opportunity affliction. It affects men and women in equal numbers and not only those of advancing years, although men tend to be more at risk due to occupational noise exposure.

"People with hearing loss lose confidence, sometimes without understanding why," explained Diane.

"It can be embarrassing, too. Clients tell me they've been with friends at lunch and missed the punchline of a joke or misunderstood a story. That makes them feel uncomfortable and may cause them to withdraw from the conversation, rather than feel stupid.”

Diane and Steve enjoy a sizable base of clients among Calgary's business community, and both professionals are proud of the long-term relationships they've built as clinicians.

Why do their clients remain so loyal? It has to do with Diane’s and Steve's ongoing commitment to following up – and following through.

And here's encouraging news: diligent laboratory research has helped to make today's hearing aids smaller, more responsive – and more discreet – than ever before.

“With mild to moderate hearing loss, many patients can use a tiny, nearly invisible hearing aid which can be completely inserted in the ear canal," Diane observed.

"The size of the device tends to be directly related to the severity of the hearing loss," she added.

"Really, the first step with a new client is to find out whether a hearing aid would be of any benefit at all," explained Diane, who pointed out that some hearing losses are due to infection, which may be medically treatable.

The team at Audiology Consultants of Southern Alberta has pledged to deliver top-quality products and repairs. That's in addition to their own unique brand of customer service.

But Diane and Steve also pride themselves on delivering the straight goods.

No hard sell and no scare tactics. No panaceas and no unrealistic promises.

"That's not our style," Diane stressed. "Our clients know exactly what to expect from the products we recommend.

We prefer to err on the side of caution," she smiled. Everyone gets a trial period with the aids to see for themselves the benefits and limitations.

Diane suggests a simple self-test. It may be time to seek the advice of professionals if:

* You find it hard to hold up your end of a conversation in a noisy environment.

* You miss snippets of conversation, or wish other people would stop mumbling.

* You hear more clearly when you watch the speaker's face.

* You have a tough time catching the dialogue during your favourite TV show.

For more information, access the clinic website: www.enhanceyourhearing.com

Better still, drop by the Audiology Consultants of Southern Alberta for an informal chat. In the meantime, please accept Diane Fennell's invitation to attend a lunch-and-learn session in the Bankers Hall auditorium on Monday, Dec. 16. Time: 11:30 a.m. through 1 p.m. RSVP Shona at 403.770.7098.

Lunch will be served and every question will be answered.

What better time or place to hear what you've been missing?