Hearing Tests

Hearing history
A structured conversation about your ears and hearing over time: when you first noticed a change, ear infections, surgery, perforations or grommets, noise exposure, tinnitus, dizziness, family history, and medication that can affect hearing.

What it tells us: the story behind the test, not just the graph.

Why it matters: two people can have similar audiograms for different reasons. History flags whether wax, a medical problem, or a long-standing loss is more likely — and whether a GP or ENT referral should come before hearing aids.

How listening feels day to day
You describe the situations that are hardest: family conversation, television, work meetings, restaurants, the car, the phone, or hearing one person against background noise.

What it tells us: the real-world problem, including listening effort and tiredness, which a quiet-room test can miss.

Why it matters: treatment should match your life. Difficulty only in noise points to different advice than a problem in the quiet as well.

What you want to improve
A short, practical list of goals — follow conversation at dinner, hear the grandchildren, use the phone, stay safe at work — rather than a generic “better hearing.”

What it tells us: what success would look like for you.

Why it matters: it stops the appointment from becoming a standard package. Next steps are judged against your goals, including when monitoring or wax removal is enough.

Otoscopy
Tim looks into each ear with an otoscope to see the canal and eardrum.

What it tests: wax, infection, inflammation, discharge, a perforation, or other visible findings.

Why it matters: you cannot interpret a hearing test properly if the canal is blocked or the drum is unhealthy. Some findings mean wax removal first; others mean medical referral instead of hearing aids.

Video otoscopy
The same examination with a camera, so you can see the ear on screen.

What it tests: the same structures as otoscopy, with a shared view.

Why it matters: it makes the findings understandable, documents what was seen, and helps explain why a test should wait, wax should be cleared, or a referral is needed.

Pure tone audiometry
You listen for the quietest tones you can hear at different pitches in each ear, usually through headphones, with results plotted on an audiogram.

What it tests: hearing sensitivity by frequency and ear — the degree and pattern of any loss, and whether it looks more outer/middle ear or inner ear in character (with other findings).

Why it matters: this is the backbone of a hearing test. It shows whether there is a loss, which ear and which pitches are affected, and gives a baseline for hearing aids or future comparison.

AB word lists (speech in quiet)
You repeat standardised words at a set level in a quiet setting.

What it tests: how clearly you can identify speech when there is little background noise — not only whether you can detect a beep.

Why it matters: some people hear tones reasonably well but still miss consonants and word endings. Speech scores help explain that gap and whether amplification is likely to help in quiet.

QuickSIN (speech in noise)
You listen to sentences with background noise that gets harder, to measure how much extra signal you need to follow speech.

What it tests: hearing in the situations people actually complain about — restaurants, groups, open-plan rooms.

Why it matters: a “mild” audiogram can still mean a large problem in noise. QuickSIN helps set realistic expectations for hearing aids and aftercare, rather than promising perfect hearing in every crowded room.

Results and next steps
Tim explains the ears, the audiogram, and the speech scores in everyday language, then outlines options: monitor, remove wax, consider hearing aids, look at protection, or refer if BSA criteria are met.

What it is: the point of the appointment — a decision you understand, not a printout you cannot use.

Why it matters: rushed recommendations are how people leave with the wrong device or no plan. A clear explanation lets you involve family, book the right follow-up, and know when not to buy hearing aids that day.

Ear Wax Removal

After examining the ears, Tim chooses the safest method for that patient: microsuction, irrigation or manual removal. The aim is a clear view of the ear canal and eardrum, and relief from blockage, without using a one-size-fits-all technique.

Who this may help: people with a blocked or full feeling, reduced hearing after water or hearing aid use, discomfort, or visible wax; hearing aid users whose aids whistle or sound dull because of wax; and patients who need the canal cleared before a reliable hearing test.