If you require a hearing test – whether you are worried about the condition of your ears or you just want a routine check up – Cambrian Hearing in Oswestry will give you a premier service, ensuring you are comfortable and informed throughout the process, giving you the best outcomes. Everyone’s hearing is different, so we use a variety of tests and the latest technology, so we can make sure you get the right hearing care for your needs. If you are interested in what your hearing test might entail, please read on.
When to book a hearing test
As we discussed in an earlier blog, there are lots of reasons to book a hearing test. This can range from a change in medication or lifestyle, to exposure to loud noises or simply a result of aging. Whatever your reason, it’s best not to delay. Due to the complicated structures of the ear, there are many different types of hearing loss, and the sooner we can identify the type of hearing loss you are suffering with, the sooner the problems can be rectified.
Who to consult with about my hearing loss
The NHS suggests that you consult a GP first. However, wait times are long, and if you are suffering some kind of hearing loss, it is likely they will refer you to a specialist audiologist – like Laura at our clinic in Oswestry. If you are in the Shropshire area and worried you are experiencing hearing loss, you can get a free hearing assessment in our clinic. If you don’t live in Shropshire and you want to do a quick hearing test, Cambrian hearing supplies a free online hearing test, which you can use to decide if you need to make an appointment.
Online hearing tests
For this you will need a decent pair of headphones and a quiet space. Make sure they are fitted correctly and that the volume on your computer is up. We will ask you a few questions about your age and gender, as well as your email address and questions about your general hearing. We ask some questions to determine how much you struggle with hearing in your day-to-day life. Then some sounds are played through your headphones and we ask you questions related to the sounds. We then email you the results of your hearing test.
The whole hearing test should take between five and ten minutes. Whilst it is a fantastic fast and free service, which can give you an idea of your levels of hearing loss, it can do very little to diagnose you or identify the type or cause of your hearing loss. For that you will have to consult with an audiologist.
Free in-person hearing assessment
This is the base-level hearing assessment we perform at Cambrian Hearing. It involves a basic hearing test which can determine the level of hearing loss. Your audiologist will also perform otoscopy. This is a simple examination that can provide the audiologist with information about the auditory canal, the tympanic membrane and some aspects of the middle ear. Using an otoscope, your hearing care professional can peek into your ear and check for wax buildup or any signs of infection. Whilst it is not the most in-depth hearing test we provide, your hearing specialist will be able to suggest treatment like microsuction wax removal or a more sophisticated hearing-test to get to the diagnosis.
Full hearing assessment
If you decide you would like the most detailed hearing test available, we can book you in at the clinic for a full hearing assessment. Whilst it is more involved, the hearing test is simple and painless.
It involves another otoscopy check, but this time it will be captured on video, and shown to you. This is particularly valuable if your hearing loss is developing over time.
We then perform tympanometry, which gives a detailed readout on the function of your middle ear. This can help your audiologist identify if you have fluid in your middle ear, an infection, perforation or problems with your eustachian tube. A probe is placed in your ear canal to measure the movement of the ear drum as negative and positive pressure is applied. The test is not painful, but you may feel a slight build-up of pressure in the ear canal, and you may hear tones from the probe as it changes the air pressure in your middle ear during the test. In total, the test takes less than 30 seconds per ear.
After the tympanometry, we will perform a full, in-depth hearing test, to determine the type and level of hearing loss. This will involve us playing you different pitches of noises through headphones, to determine when you can hear the sound. We will ask you to wear a special headband to see how well you can hear through bone conduction vibrations.
During your appointment, we will ask you some questions about how you hear day-to-day. Whether people seem to mumble, if you need to have the TV on loud or use subtitles, if people complain that you can’t hear them, etc.
After an in-depth assessment, your hearing care professional should be able to diagnose your type of hearing loss and suggest treatment. This may include the use of a hearing aid, which you can trial during the appointment, if appropriate.
Know before you go
Things that may help your audiologist during an appointment: a list of medications you are on, your medical history and when your symptoms started.
Book now
Regular hearing tests are inexpensive, comfortable and quick. If you are worried about hearing loss and are near Oswestry, Shropshire, book a hearing test today.
