How it all began
CHIP holds its first meetings at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, developing a charter and bylaws, electing an executive board, and securing their first operating grant.
It was apparent to me that something needs to remedy this and fill in the gap in services.
– Dale Bonnycastle, a founding member
Our CHIP 40th Anniversary
Hear Entendre Québec was founded in 1979. It all started when Alvin Goldman and several other clients from the Audiology department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital received a letter from their audiologist, Dale Bonnycastle, inviting them to discuss the possibility of forming a self-help group for hard-of-hearing persons. Dale Bonnycastle an audiologist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, felt that the services offered to hearing impaired people were lacking, that administering hearing tests alone was clearly not enough, and the psychosocial aspects of hearing loss were not properly addressed.
With assistance and input from Joan Westland, the executive director of the Association of Hearing Impaired Adults, and Marilyn French St. George, audiologist and teacher at the McGill University School of Human Communication Disorders, a plan was put together to form a group for adults with acquired hearing loss that would focus on self help, sharing difficulties and finding constructive solutions.
It was with these issues in mind that 14 people gathered for a first meeting in mid-October 1979, ready to devote their time and energy to the English-speaking hard-of-hearing community. Dale Bonnycastle, Alvin Goldman, Ed Plover and Lily Bernstein were the first active members who formed Hear Entendre Québec’s team. They quickly devised numerous ideas and plans, including programs and workshops, as well as the much-appreciated biannual magazine, The Communicaider.
The first program, named “Aural Rehabilitation,” later developed into the HEAR program. It included workshops on topics such as the anatomy of the ear, communication strategies, phonetics and acoustics (later known as the very popular Speechreading workshop), emotional issues related to hearing loss, hearing aids and devices (later known as the ALD program), and coping with stress. These topics and concerns still remain vital to Hear Entendre Québec today.
Celebrating 45 Years of Hear Quebec
2024 marked a very special milestone for Hear Quebec: our 45th anniversary! It was a year of reflection, celebration, and connection as we honored nearly five decades of service to the hearing loss community. Whether you attended our events, shared your stories, or supported us through generous donations, each of you played a meaningful role in making this year truly memorable.
Our anniversary theme, “Our Legacy: An Inclusive Community,” guided our year-long celebration. We kicked things off at our 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM), where we were thrilled to welcome Matt Del Vecchio, host of Life Unrehearsed on CJAD800 and President of Liana’s Senior Transition Support. Matt delivered a presentation on Insights into Downsizing and Transition Trends, sharing his expertise in aging and transition support. We were also joined by Stefanie Cadou, Senior Transition Specialist and Real Estate Broker with Royal LePage Village, who added valuable perspective to the evening.
In recognition of our 45th year, we expanded our Speechreading Program to two locations, allowing more participants to benefit from in-person instruction while building meaningful connections with others facing similar experiences.
As part of our ongoing growth, the board and staff used this anniversary as an opportunity to review our previous strategic plan and lay the foundation for a new one, charting a clear and inclusive path forward for Hear Quebec.
Hear Quebec proudly announced the launch of Consult-ME, a service dedicated to helping businesses and institutions become more hearing-inclusive. By providing tools, training, and support, Consult ME helps meet the growing demand for accessible spaces across Quebec.
Another highlight was our 45th Anniversary Soirée of Connection. The joyful evening brought together members, partners, families, and friends. It was a chance to celebrate our shared journey, reconnect, and express gratitude to everyone who has supported us, whether in person or in spirit.
We also proudly marked May Hearing Month with a dynamic hybrid event: Clinics to Community: The Power of Peer-Centered Support in Hearing Health, featuring renowned advocate Gael Hannan. This interactive session emphasized the vital role of peer-led support and community-driven change in hearing health.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to building an inclusive, supportive, and connected community. Thank you for being part of our legacy — and our future.
