HEARING TEST
How is your hearing?
At PinnaClear Ear Care, we understand the significance of maintaining good hearing health, and that’s why we offer comprehensive hearing tests that are tailored to your unique needs.
Highly trained and certified
State-of-the-art facility
Accurate and personalised assessments
Flexible Appointments
Highly Qualified
Personalised Care
HEARING LOSS
Signs that you may have hearing loss
Hearing loss is a common problem that can affect anyone, usually later in life. Hearing loss covers a wide range of categories and symptoms which can be caused by a variety of factors.
Our comprehensive hearing assessments are completed by a senior audiologist with several years experience.
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
Struggling with hearing loss or reduced hearing? Talk to us
Get your ears examined by a trained audiologist straight away. If you are not sure and want to talk to an audiologist first, get in touch. Hearing tests can identify issues early, allowing for timely intervention and preventing further deterioration of your hearing.
HOW IS IT DONE?
How we test your hearing
A hearing assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of your hearing health conducted by a qualified audiologist who will test your hearing capabilities with a variety of methods.
Otoscopic Examination
The audiologist will examine your outer ear (pinna) and, ear canal (meatus) and eardrum (tympanic membrane) using a specialised instrument called an otoscope. This helps ensure there are no obstructions or visible issues that might affect your hearing. It may also be possible for you to view the ear using a video otoscope. If there are any issues such as infection or earwax build up, this will need to be treated first.
Speech Testing
Some patients may benefit from speech testing. You’ll listen to and repeat a series of words at different volume levels. This assesses your ability to understand speech in noisy environments.
Pure-Tone Audiometry
This is one of the fundamental tests in a hearing assessment. You’ll be placed in a soundproof booth and given headphones. The audiologist will play a series of tones at different frequencies and volumes, and you’ll be asked to indicate when you hear them. This helps determine the softest sounds you can hear across a range of frequencies.
Bone conduction Test
This involves placing a small vibrating device behind your ear to send sound directly to your inner ear, bypassing the outer and middle ear. This test helps determine if hearing loss is due to issues in the outer or middle ear.
HEARING TEST
What to expect at a hearing test
This assessment helps determine the extent of your hearing abilities, identify any potential hearing issues, and recommend appropriate solutions. It may be beneficial if you bring along someone close to you for your hearing test as they can share the experience and also learn about your difficulties.
Remember that a hearing assessment is painless and non-invasive. It’s designed to provide you with valuable information about your hearing abilities and guide you toward the best course of action for maintaining or improving your hearing health. If you’re concerned about your hearing or have noticed changes in your ability to hear, scheduling a hearing assessment is a proactive step toward addressing those concerns.
01
Personal History Discussion
At the beginning of the assessment, the audiologist will ask you about your medical history, any past exposure to loud noises, medications you’re taking, and any specific concerns you might have about your hearing. This will also include questions about your lifestyle and how your hearing loss might be affecting your quality of life. In some cases, you may need to be referred back to your GP or ENT for further investigation. Audiologists with NHS experience have the added advantage over hearing aid dispensers as they have experience of working closely with ENT in hospitals. This is a crucial step as it allows the audiologist to build a picture of your ear health and make recommendations using this information.
02
Examination
The audiologist will examine your outer ear, ear canal and eardrum, then perform the audiometry test, bone conduction test and a speech test if required.
03
Results and Recommendations
Once the assessment is complete, the audiologist will discuss the results with you. If hearing loss is detected, we will explain the type and degree of hearing loss you have. We will also provide recommendations for appropriate interventions, which may include hearing aids, assistive listening devices, or other solutions based on your needs.
04
Questions and Discussion
Feel free to ask any questions you might have about the results, recommended interventions, or any concerns you might still have about your hearing health. At PinnaClear we want to assist you in reaching a solution that is right for 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.