How you hear frequencies

The Cochlea is part 6 on the diagram to the left.

Free Hearing Test

If you think that you have a hearing loss and would like to talk about it with an experienced audiologist, please make an appointment for a free, in-depth hearing test.

There is no obligation to buy and you will have the opportunity to discuss your concerns, learn the exact nature of your loss and consider possible solutions. We even offer trial periods on some of our hearing aids, so you can discover just how much you may have been missing out on.

'Around one in seven of the UK population suffers some form of hearing loss. Some two million use a hearing aid, but it is estimated that a further four million people could benefit from wearing a hearing instrument.'

Source: Action on Hearing Loss

Hearing Loss

How your ear hears sound

What causes hearing loss?

Hearing loss is largely the result of the natural ageing process. Other causes include hereditary factors, prolonged exposure to noise exceeding 85 decibels (the equivalent to heavy road traffic), illness, accidents or even some medications. The majority of hearing loss is ‘sensorineural’, namely irreversible damage to the sound-conducting hair cells of the inner ear. The degree of loss can range from mild to profound, and most people with hearing difficulties can benefit from using hearing instruments. Continuing to suffer with hearing loss can significantly affect our social life and our relationships, and often leads to a feeling of isolation.

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How do I know if I have a hearing loss?

The following list of questions, while not exhaustive, will provide good indication of any hearing problems.

• Do you often feel that other people are ‘mumbling’?
• Do you have trouble understanding a conversation when there is background noise?
• Do you need to turn up the volume on the television or radio?
• Do you often ask people to repeat what they have said?
• Do you feel stressed or tired when you have to listen for long periods?
• Do you avoid social gatherings because there is too much noise and you struggle to hear?
• Do friends and family ask if you have a hearing problem?

If you have answered 'yes' to three or more of these questions, we recommend an in-depth hearing assessment (free of charge) with one of our hearing aid audiologists. A proper hearing test will determine the nature of your loss, whether you require further medical opinion and whether a hearing aid can help.

Test your hearing

If you still aren't sure, follow this link to try an online Speech-in-noise hearing test. It will only take a few minutes and will test how clearly you can hear in different levels of background noise. You will need headphones to take this test.

This test can only give you a rough idea of how well you hear. There is no substitute for a proper hearing test carried out by a trained hearing aid audiologist.

Remember – hearing loss is more noticeable than a hearing aid!

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