Hearing test

Hearing tests can be used to:

• Identify hearing loss
• Determine the type and severity of the hearing loss
• Monitor changes in your hearing over time
• Help your consultant decide if you need hearing aids or other treatments

Hearing tests can also help identify several conditions, including:

• Age-related hearing loss
• Noise-induced hearing loss
• Ear infections
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Conductive hearing loss (problems with the ear canal, eardrum, or middle ear)
• Sensorineural hearing loss (problems with the inner ear or auditory nerve)

The cost of a private hearing test depends on your individual circumstances. At the time of your appointment your consultant will discuss all options with you and ensure all your questions are answered.

Our fixed-price packages include the cost of your surgery and all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant's outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.

Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you.

Anyone can have a hearing test, from newborns to older adults. It's especially important for those who notice any signs of hearing loss or have a family history of hearing problems.

You might need a hearing test if you have signs of hearing loss, such as:

• Struggling to hear conversations, especially in noisy places and over the phone
• Struggling to hear high-pitched sounds and voices
• Needing to turn the TV or radio up louder than usual
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves as you can’t hear what they’re saying
• Having a ringing sound in your ear

Your consultant will guide you as to the right test, and potential outcomes when you’re first assessed before the test.

As well as finding out your current hearing abilities, a hearing test can help you detect early signs of hearing loss. If your test results show you could benefit from hearing aids or other treatments, your consultant will guide you through the next steps. 

Any improvement in your hearing will also improve your ability to communicate with friends and family, thereby improving your quality of life.

Before your hearing test, it’s recommended you avoid loud noises for at least 16 hours before the test and making sure your ears are clean without putting anything inside your ear canal.

Getting a good night's sleep before your hearing test is also advisable.

Before you begin your hearing test, your audiologist will ask you about your work and lifestyle to determine if these factors could have had an impact on your hearing. For instance, if you go to watch live music often, or work on a building site.

It's important to mention if you've had any ear infections or other problems with your hearing at this point. After this discussion, you'll be taken to a quiet room to take one of the following hearing tests. Your hearing test will take no longer than 15 minutes, and your appointment should be no longer than 30 minutes to an hour.

Pure tone audiometry

The most common hearing test offered by audiologists, in a pure-tone test you’ll hear a range of high- and low-pitched sounds at different volumes through headphones.
Every time you hear a sound, you’ll need to show you can hear it by either raising your hand or pressing a button.

Speech audiometry

Otherwise known as a speech test or speech test discrimination, this test works similarly to a pure tone audiometry, but instead of different sounds, you’ll be listening to speech instead.
In a speech audiometry, you’ll hear simple words spoken at different volumes through a headset. After each word, you’ll need to repeat the word you hear.

Tympanometry test

A tympanometry test examines how your middle ear is working by looking at your eardrum and the bones in your middle ear.

For this test, you’ll need to sit upright, and avoid moving, talking, coughing or swallowing, as these movements can interfere with your hearing test results.

Before your tympanometry test, your audiologist will perform an otoscopy, a preliminary exam that looks at your inner ear using a lighted scope called an otoscope.

After the otoscopy, your audiologist will then insert a probe into your ear. This probe has a soft end, much like an earplug, that creates an airtight seal in your ear canal.

When the seal is in place, the probe sends a flow of air into your ear and makes a low noise, while recording how your eardrum moves in response to the sound and air on a tympanogram. At this stage, you may feel pressure start to build in your ear.

Once the tympanogram has recorded the results for your test, your audiologist will examine the results to determine if your eardrum is moving abnormally. Unusual eardrum movement could indicate a build up of fluid or wax in your ear, problems with the bones in your ear, a hole in your eardrum, or other problems.

At Circle Health Group, we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group, you can expect the highest standards of care including:

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Private ensuite rooms as standard
• A range of delicious healthy meals
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about heart failure treatment, book your appointment online or call a member of our team today.

Hearing tests - NHS
Hearing tests - Cleveland Clinic
Hearing tests for adults - MedicalPlus
Getting your hearing tested - RNID