A diagnostic hearing assessment. Not a five-minute box-tick.
Most people who book a hearing test expect to sit in a booth, press a button when they hear a beep, and be told a number. There's much more to it than that, and the difference matters.
Every assessment is carried out in one of our purpose-built sound booths by a qualified clinical audiologist. Our comprehensive assessment takes approximately 60 minutes, allowing time for a full case history, diagnostic testing, and a thorough evaluation of how your hearing is affecting your day-to-day function, rather than a brief screening.
You don't need a referral, and you don't need to be sure something's wrong. People book a hearing assessment with us when:
They've noticed they're asking people to repeat themselves more often
The TV volume has increased
They struggle to hear in background noise in group conversations
They're getting tinnitus or ringing in the ears
Their partner, family member, or GP has suggested it
They had a hearing test years ago and want to know if things have changed
If any of those sound familiar, it's worth the hour.
A full hearing assessment isn't one test. It's several, each looking at a different part of how your hearing actually works.
Pure-tone audiometry: how quietly you can hear sounds across the full range of frequencies, both ears separately
Speech audiometry: how well you understand words at conversation level
Speech-in-noise testing: how well you follow speech with background noise (closer to real life than a quiet booth)
Tympanometry: how well the middle ear and ear drum are functioning
Otoscopic examination: a video look inside your ear canal (you'll see it on the screen too)
We don't run every test on every patient. We run what's right for what we're seeing.
Will I need hearing aids if I come in?
Not necessarily. Plenty of people leave with reassurance and a note to come back in a year or two. Even when we do recommend hearing aids, you're never expected to decide on the day.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
Should I bring someone with me?
How long will the appointment take?
How often should I have my hearing checked?
