Foundation funds new Audiology equipment in St. Paul

St. PAUL – Residents in and around St. Paul will soon be able to benefit from two pieces of new equipment purchased with funds donated by the St. Paul and District Hospital Foundation.   

Two new pieces of audiology equipment were recently purchased for St. Paul Community Health Services, thanks to close to $28,000 in donations from the foundation. This included a new GSI TympStar Pro Clinical Middle-Ear analyzer used to rule out middle ear infections in infants, children and adults. A Verifit2 Real Ear Measuring unit was also purchased with the donated funds. The new equipment replaces older, existing units. 

“The Verifit2 Real Ear Measuring unit is used to program clients’ hearing aids to ensure they’re working properly,” Harpreet Chaggar, an Audiologist with Alberta Health Services (AHS) at St. Paul Community Health Services. “The new analyzer helps check the function of the middle ear, ear drum mobility and response of the middle ear muscles to loud sounds. It helps determine if there is fluid behind the ear drum due to an ear infection.”

The foundation’s volunteer members raised the funds through their annual community gala event, which included a dinner, silent and live auctions and a magician to entertain. There were also individual donations from community members. 

“We work with Alberta Health Services staff here in town to identify where their greatest needs are and where we can contribute to make the largest impact,” says Linda Kryzanowski, Chair of the St. Paul and District Hospital Foundation, which has been active in the area since 1990, contributing more than $835,000 in that time.

Approximately 1000 clients access audiology services in St. Paul each year. 

“We’re very grateful for the foundation and the community’s continued support,” says Sharon Winik, AHS Allied Health Manager for the area. “These latest contributions help ensure our clients have access to state-of-the-art technology and some of the best equipment.” 

AHS works with 69 health foundations and trusts, as well as an additional 51 registered health care auxiliaries across the province. These non-profit groups have a significant impact on health delivery in Alberta by funding vital needs, programs, renovations, research and education, which translates into positive health experiences for patients and their families. 

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. 

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