Guides / Age Related Hearing Loss
Age Related Hearing Loss
Age related hearing loss involves a deterioration in hearing over time, due to age.
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HEARING LOSS
What Is Age Related Hearing Loss?
Age related hearing loss involves a deterioration in hearing over time, due to age. Age related hearing loss occurs with natural wear and tear and usually affects the high frequencies of hearing first. This means that you might mishear the beginnings and ends of sentences and words, particularly in busy settings. Age related hearing loss is called presbycusis or presbyacusis.
Do you feel as though your hearing has deteriorated? You can book a full hearing assessment and hearing aid trial with PinnaClear.
Signs include:
You have to turn the TV up louder than family or friends
You feel as though speech is unclear
You no longer hear birdsong or miss the doorbell
You struggle with telephone calls
Does this sound like you? If so, the first step would be to arrange a hearing assessment to establish your level of hearing. You can either book on line or fill out our contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
It is often easy to think your hearing is better than others as it deteriorates slowly and you might not notice straight away. You may also start to lean in and focus on facial expressions more. You might slowly make lifestyle changes like turning up the TV notch by notch or you might avoid complex listening situations such as restaurants or talking to strangers.
Whatever your difficulties, at PinnaClear we are here to guide you through every step of your hearing loss journey.
I Think I Have A Hearing Loss, What Next?
Acknowledging you have a hearing loss is the first step. The next step would be to arrange a full hearing assessment to establish the degree and type of hearing loss. In most cases, hearing loss is due to wear and tear but in some cases it can be due to structural damage such as a perforation. Your audiologist at PinnaClear will discuss your hearing assessment with you in detail along with any onward referral requirements.
We are all living longer, so it is inevitable that natural deterioration through wear and tear will occur. Age related hearing loss and getting hearing aids doesn’t have to be a scary process. Hearing aids are advancing and all conventional hearing aids are digital now, regardless of their size. Let us help you find a hearing aid that suits your needs. All of our equipment is portable so if you can't come to us, we can come to you.
20 Years of
clinical experience
Licensed and certified with First Class BSc (Hons) in Audiology
Trained in microsuction earwax removal & behavioural therapy for tinnitus
Experience working within the NHS and private sector
Rated Excellent
Very professional service, I had a lot of ear wax and also a funny sensation in one ear which Hafiza took the time to explain and show me what was going on. Professionally cleaned, my ears and I are very happy 🙂
Raneesha Manoharan
Rated Excellent
Great service, well explained, well delivered, very pleased with outcome. I would recommend to anyone.
Lee Goulden
Rated Excellent
Very happy with the service at Pinnaclear. Hafiza was absolutely lovely and explained everything clearly before, during and after the treatment. Extremely pleased with the result and can now hear clearly again. Thank you
Tracey Carey
Why our customers choose us
An PinnaClear we aim to provide an audiology service that offers a personalised and holistic approach to hearing health. We combine cutting-edge technology with experienced professionals to provide accurate treatment plans to empower individuals to fully engage in their daily lives with optimal hearing clarity.
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Why do I get ringing in my ears?Ringing in ears (or head) is also known as tinnitus. This is a sound that usually occurs inside, without an external sound source. Tinnitus can occur for a number of reasons but the most common reason people experience tinnitus is due to reduced hearing levels. The first step would be to arrange a hearing assessment.
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Do I need to soften my earwax before getting them cleaned?Unlike syringing, most people don't need soft wax for microsuction earwax removal to be successful. However, using a softening agent such as olive oil can mean a quicker and more comfortable microsuction earwax removal procedure.
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What are the common hearing loss signs and symptoms?Patients usually report difficulty in hearing conversation, particularly in busy social settings. Quite often, family and friends notice hearing difficulties first. If you feel your hearing is deteriorating, then a hearing assessment will indicate the degree of hearing loss. The audiologist will then advise on the best treatment plan for you.
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Can I get an invisible hearing aid?Hearing aids have advanced massively over the years; they are available in a range of colours and sizes. The type suitable for you will depend on a number of factors such as the shape of your ear canal and the degree of hearing loss. Your audiologist will advise on the best type of hearing aid for you, book an appointment today.
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What is microsuction earwax removal?Microsuction earwax removal is the removal of stubborn earwax using a suction device. The procedure is performed by trained professionals and involves wearing some magnifiers to make it easier to view the wax and eardrum.
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Do I need to soften the wax with olive oil before microsuction?Unlike syringing, softening earwax the same way isn’t necessary. However, it can mean the procedure is more comfortable, particularly if the wax is stuck against the ear canal.
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What is the best way to clean your ears?Ears will naturally withdraw any earwax. If you do not have any pre-existing medical ear conditions you can use a little bit of olive oil to help soften any earwax and clean your ears. If you have earwax that is causing your hearing aid to whistle or cauging you discomfort then it is best to get your ears cleaned professionally.
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How much does ear cleaning cost?The current charges at PinnaClear are £50 to £70, depending on the location and whether it is one or both ears that need cleaning. Home visits vary depending on the distance needing to be travelled.
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Is microsuction earwax removal safe?As with any medical procedure, there are always risks involved. These risks are minimised by providing an accurate medical history and booking in with an experienced, fully trained professional.
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What is the difference between going to Specsavers and coming to PinnaClear?The main difference is the level of training and experience. Quite often, the staff at Specsavers are minimally trained as hearcare assistants or hearing aid dispensers and will usually work off a checklist. At PinnaClear, all services are offered by a senior audiologist with several years of NHS and private audiology work.
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Will the wax come out by itself if I just use olive oil?Olive oil ear drops can help to soften any ear wax so that it can naturally work its way out. If there is too much earwax or the wax is hard and impacted against the ear drum, the olive oil will soften the wax and help with professional microsuction ear wax removal.
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Do hopi ear candles work?There is a misconception that hopi ear candles help to draw wax out of the ears, however, several studies have shown that this is not the case and instead hopi candles leave residue inside the ears, increasing risk of infection. There is also an increased risk of burning the ear with incorrectly performed procedures. This is also an unregulated procedure which means the risks can vary greatly.
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Is it ok to use cotton buds?The skin inside our ears is very sensitive and cotton buds peel away at the protective layer in our ears. If there is wax it can become impacted as you push wax deeper against the ear drum. This can reduce your hearing and cause pressure inside your ears.