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hearing-test

Why have a hearing test?

It’s natural for hearing to decline as we age, but it is also true that we can suffer with hearing loss due to other factors such as exposure to loud noise, illness, medication, genetics, trauma and wear and tear within the ear. 

A lot of people do not want to admit that they have a hearing loss. We regularly have our eyes and teeth checked and having a hearing test is just as important.

More than 40% of people over 50 in the UK  have a hearing loss and this figure rises to 71% of people over the age of 70 so do not delay in getting your hearing tested. You may not realise what you are missing out on.

Take our online hearing test to find out if you need to get a hearing test.



What are the signs of having a hearing loss?

If you are concerned about your hearing, it might be time to think about having a hearing test. If you answer yes to any of these questions, a free hearing test could be your first step towards better hearing.

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  • Do you often turn up the TV volume?
  • Do you ask people to repeat what they said?
  • Do you have problems when there is background noise?
  • Do people seem to be mumbling when they talk to you?
  • Do you often have difficulty following conversations?
  • Do you find it hard to tell where sounds are coming from?
  • Do you avoid some social activities?
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    Statistics show that people wait up to 10 years from first suspecting a hearing loss to actually having their ears tested. This is 10 years too long! The sooner you take action against hearing loss the sooner you stop the negative effects of hearing loss from developing. Research shows treating hearing loss early can prevent more serious problems later in life like cognitive issues and even dementia.

    Keeping your hearing healthy helps not just how you hear but how you feel about life and your general well-being. Over time, hearing loss can impair the brain's ability to process sound and recognise speech. If you cannot hear what is happening around you, your mental sharpness suffers when it does not have to.


    What to expect from your hearing test

    If you have never visited a hearing care expert, you probably don't know what to expect. At Hidden Hearing you are in for a pleasant experience that is interesting, informative and may be your first step to better hearing.

    You will have the opportunity to understand your hearing needs better and explore any possible improvements.

    A hearing test is at Hidden Hearing is completely free, takes less than 60 minutes and if you can't come to us, we can come to you! Read more on our home visits.

    There are four steps in a hearing test explained below:

     

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    1. Before the hearing test

    At Hidden Hearing we take the time to get to know each client. At the beginning of your hearing test your audiologist will ask you a few simple questions about your lifestyle, family history and whether you have difficulty hearing in any situations such as noisy public spaces. Hearing loss is different for each person, so your audiologist will need to understand your lifestyle to ensure the best solution for your hearing loss. It is helpful to be aware of the various types of hearing loss. You can read more about the different types of hearing loss here 

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    2. During the hearing test 

    An inspection of your ear canal. 

    We’ll look inside the ear canal with the help of an Otoscope. Then check the eardrums and outer ears for signs of damage or infection. Next, we’ll test your hearing. Wearing headphones, you’ll hear different sounds, played in one ear or the other.  We’ll ask you to push a button each time you hear a sound, so we can see how well you hear at different levels and pitches. After that, we’ll repeat the test - but this time, using a headband. Some hearing aids work by passing sound through vibrations in the skull, so we’ll run this test to see exactly what your options are.

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    3. Baseline Hearing Test

    Find out which pitches and tones you hear and which you don't.

    A baseline hearing test is your initial test that will form the comparison for later tests to measure if your hearing has worsened. We recommend adults should get their hearing tested when they are 55. The results of the hearing test show in an audiogram and are immediately explained by the Audiologist. 

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    4. Speech and Understanding Assessment

    Discover how well you hear and understand conversations

    A series of words and sounds are performed at a varying level of loudness, pitch and intensity. Here, you will learn at what level of sound you can no longer understand speech very well and this test determines what level of hearing loss you have.

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    5. Familiar Voice Test

    Bring a loved one to your appointment so we can check your understanding of the voices most important to you

    A hearing loss doesn't just impact one person, it can effect your loved ones too. It is important when testing the hearing aids in your appointment, you are testing with a familiar voice.

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    To book your FREE hearing test with us, please use the 'Book hearing test' or the 'Find a hearing centre' button at the top of the page. You will have access to over 300 locations nationwide, making it more convenient for our customers to visit us for their hearing test appointments. Most of our branches are centrally located within their respective town or city, with easy transport links.

    In the event you are unable to get to us, we can arrange free home visits. To book a home visit, or on behalf of somebody else, please use the same online form via the 'Book hearing test' button at the top of the page.

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    Hearing loss is not always age related

    It can be the result of an illness or noise exposure often in the workplace. There are multiple reasons that people suffer with a loss of hearing that are not linked with aging.

    Did you know that one in ten adults suffer from Tinnitus in the UK. Hearing aids can help patients who have a hearing loss associated with Tinnitus so whatever the reason for your hearing loss, it is best to get tested.


    Hearing Tests at Home

     

    At Hidden Hearing we understand that it may not always be possible to attend your local hearing centre to get your hearing tested, and it is for this reason we offer a free home visit service.

    We understand that when it comes to letting people into your home you need to be very careful. For this reason, on arrival at your home, the Hearing Aid Dispenser will introduce them self and show you their registration card so you can be confident that they are an official Hidden Hearing representative. The representative will be a fully qualified Hearing Aid Dispenser.

    A hearing test at home will last around one hour. Just like when you get a hearing test in one of our branches, we always recommend you have a family member or close friend with you for your appointment, as they often are able to give additional information about your hearing.

    Your local Hearing Aid Dispenser will conduct a hearing test in your home using state of the art equipment. To start with the health of your ears will be checked, where we will look for any wax build up which may be affecting your ability to hear. Once we are happy your ear canals are clean, headphones will be placed over your ears and you will be asked to acknowledge each sound you hear. Once your hearing threshold has been established, the Hearing Aid Dispenser will talk you through your options of gaining clearer hearing. Rest assured, we will always advise when hearing can be helped without the need of amplification, which may involve simple accessories such as an extra loud telephone or doorbell.

    Using the form below, you can book a hearing test for yourself or on behalf of a loved one. We will call you back once you have submitted the form to arrange the appointment.

     

    Do you need a hearing test?

    Answer the following questions to see if it is relevant for you to get your hearing tested.
    Get Results

    • Do you have trouble following conversations, when there are 4 or more people present?

      Question 1 – Dinner
      Yes Sometimes No

    • Have you received advice from your family or friends to get your hearing tested?

      Question 2 – Family and friends
      Yes Sometimes No

    • Do you ever struggle to understand what others are saying because you cannot hear properly?

      Question 3 – Understand what others say
      Yes Sometimes No

    • Do you find yourself turning up the TV or radio even when the volume is loud enough for others?

      Question 4 – TV or radio
      Yes Sometimes No