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Nicola at Wessex Ear Care feels really passionate about patients getting their hearing tested. Hearing tests and assessments are essential to checking and knowing about our ear health, and therefore we can be aware of any changes to our hearing as they occur. According to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) there are approximately 12 million people affected by hearing loss in the UK alone.
Wessex Ear Care’s aim is to normalise having regular hearing tests, similar to eye tests and dental checkups. The RNID shared statistics earlier in 2023 that only 6% of people in the UK had a hearing check in the previous 12 months (who have not been previously diagnosed with a hearing loss) compared to 53% who had their dental check and 43% who had their eyes checked. Wessex Ear Care want to start normalising the process of having our hearing regularly checked, allowing us to keep on top of our hearing health.
There has been a lot of talk in the media recently about our hearing health and its links to dementia. Typically, many of us wait until a problem is experienced with our hearing before we act upon it. There is an understanding that by keeping on top of our hearing health, and actively making changes if we notice any decline in our hearing that we could potentially reduce our individual risk of getting dementia. The idea behind this is a loss to our hearing puts greater stress on our brains to try to hear better. With regular hearing checks we can monitor any gradual decline in our hearing, and can make lifestyle changes sooner.
Why have your hearing checked with Wessex Ear Care?
Wessex Ear Care consider the health of your ears to be of the utmost importance. Hearing tests with Wessex Ear Care are much more thorough than a quick hearing screen. We test your hearing levels to understand how well you are hearing speech, along with how well you cope with hearing in background noise.
Nicola has regularly carried out hearing assessments in both NHS and private healthcare settings and is skilled in giving feedback from the results of your audiogram (hearing test results). Also:
You will be assessed by an experienced and fully qualified Audiologist
Full comprehensive hearing test with professional equipment, which is checked and calibrated regularly to ensure accuracy of results
Fully independent and unbiased advice
No pressure to buy hearing aids - we don’t sell them so will not suggest this option unless appropriate
We can provide you with a copy of your audiogram (hearing test results) to show other healthcare professionals as necessary
Nicola loves hearing aids and the benefits they bring, especially as she wears them everyday herself. However, there is a full understanding that sometimes hearing aids and a discussion about them can be overwhelming at first.
Wessex Ear Care do not sell hearing aids. Hearing tests with Wessex Ear Care are comprehensive and also fully INDEPENDENT from hearing aids suppliers. Our hearing tests will give you the insight to your hearing without the pressure to try hearing aids straight away.
Hearing tests / assessments are essential to checking our hearing health. Hearing tests are the only way to ensure we know what our hearing is up to and whether we are experiencing any changes to our hearing, no matter how subtle this may be.
In order for us to know how our ear health and hearing is, we need regular checks, ideally every couple of years. This will allow us to keep in check with our hearing health.
What happens in a hearing test appointment?
We gather a full history about your ears and hearing
Both ears will be checked with an otoscope, if possible your ear canal can be shown on the laptop too
Tympanometry - a test to check the movement of your ear drums and the function of your middle ear
Hearing test (Audiometry) - this checks whether you have hearing within normal limits or if there are indicators of sensorineural hearing loss, which is damage to your cochlea.
Speech in Noise test - this test helps to show if there are any difficulties when hearing in a noisy situation
A debrief is then given regarding the results of tympanometry, hearing test and speech in noise test
Recommendations will be given to you whether this is to review your hearing in a year or two, or if referral to the GP should be made
A copy of your audiogram (hearing test results) can be sent to you via email after your appointment for your records
If you’re interested in finding out about your hearing and keeping on top of your hearing health, Book Now to secure your appointment.
Hearing assessments are priced at £100 for a 45 minute appointment.
Corporate packages for businesses
We are pleased to be able to offer packages to Employers where Wessex Ear Care will attend your business site, and provide Ear Health Wellbeing services to staff.
Please visit our sister Company Workplace Ear Care for further information.