Private audiology services at The Saxon Clinic in Milton Keynes
If you are living with hearing loss or issues with balance, it is time to speak to a specialist audiologist.
The Saxon Clinic provides a range of private audiology services for patients based in Milton Keynes, Buckingham, Leighton Buzzard, and Woburn. We offer fast tracked diagnosis and easy access to a variety of effective treatments with no waiting lists.
At The Saxon Clinic, we strive to provide the highest quality of care, and our patients agree. 95.5% of our patients said their overall experience of our service was good, or very good.
Call or book online today to find out how our experts can help you.
What is Audiology?
Audiology is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment and management of hearing/balance problems and associated disorders.
Audiologists are trained medical professionals specialised in evaluating, treating, and managing problems involving your ear, such as hearing loss, frequent dizziness, ear infections, tinnitus and vertigo.
Audiologists’ work includes the following:
- Performing hearing tests
- Fitting you for hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other assistive listening devices
- Performing vestibular testing and checking how your balance system within your inner ear is working
- Collaborating on treatment plans with other medical professional, like physical therapists and speech language pathologists (also known as speech and language therapists)
- Conducting and engaging research to help improve understanding of hearing and balance disorders within the field
Reasons why you might need audiology treatment
Typically, you will see an audiologist if you are struggling with you hearing and or balance.
Conditions that are often treated include:
- Blocked and clogged ears
- Itchy ears
- Ear barotrauma (also known as aeroplane ear)
- Ear popping
- Ear discharge
- Balance problems
- Fluid in the ear
- Earache (ear pain)
- Ear infections
- Hearing loss
- Hyperacusis (sound sensitivity)
- Auditory processing disorder (APD)
- Vertigo
- Tinnitus
- Autoimmune inner ear disease
- Cholesteatoma
- Peripheral nerve tumours
You should schedule an audiology consultation if you notice:
- You have difficulty hearing when there’s noise in the background
- You hear voices as mumbled or slurred
- You find it hard to follow conversations
- A feeling of pressure in your ear
- You get dizzy
- You struggle to keep your balance
- A ringing or buzzing sounds in your ear
What age should you see an audiologist?
Issues with hearing can affect people at any age. At The Saxon Clinic, we treat patients of all ages from young children through to working adults and the elderly.
It is estimated that one in seven of the population experience some form of hearing impairment. With an ageing population in the UK, this number is set to rise in the future. The number of young people with hearing impairment is also on the rise due to the increased exposure to excessive noise in everyday life.
If you are concerned about your hearing, no matter what age you are, you should seek medical advice from an audiologist.
What happens at an audiology appointment?
During your initial consultation, one of our expert audiologists will discuss with you what symptoms you have been experiencing, your medical history, any relevant family history, and any existing conditions that may be contributing to your issue.
Your audiologist will also do a physical examination of your ears with an instrument called an otoscope, to thoroughly assess what may be troubling you.
They may also recommend you have a hearing test. The hearing test, also known as a pure-tone audiometry, involves you sitting in a soundproof room, wearing headphones, and pressing a button every time you hear a sound. This test typically lasts around 15 minutes. The test produces a graph called an audiogram, which shows the quietest level at which you can hear a sound. They will measure this over a range of pitches for each ear.
Your audiologist will talk you through what they’ve observed and whether you may need further testing.
Once your audiologist has determined what may be causing your problems, they will either send you through for further tests or recommend treatment options to help elevate your symptoms.
How long does an audiology test take?
The amount of time your hearing test will depend on the type of test you are having done.
Generally, most hearing tests take no longer than 15 minutes, and your appointment should be no longer than 30 minutes to an hour.