A hearing test may transform your life

WHEN it comes to hearing loss, everyone is different — so it makes sense to ask an expert to identify any problems and find tailored solutions for you.

A hearing test is designed to pinpoint the exact type of hearing loss involved and how it is affecting everyday life.

Performed by trained audiologists, the 80-minute tests are reassuringly thorough. Audiologist Chris Childe says: ‘The test involves lifestyle questions, a thorough examination of the ear, hearing and speech recognition tests and real-world hearing loss simulators. It’s a journey to understand the impact someone’s hearing loss has on their daily life, so we can prescribe a bespoke solution.’

Sensorineural loss is the most common form of hearing loss arising from damage to the inner ear. It can be caused by exposure to noise and agerelated wear and tear.

Conductive hearing loss affects the outer or middle ear. It can be hereditary, the result of a head injury or perforated eardrum. The solutions recommended by the audiologist will differ depending on the type of hearing loss.

Chris says: ‘With conductive loss, we may advise using aids which are a little more powerful.’

Today’s huge range of aids includes those that are almost invisible and are moulded to fit your ear — typically used for mild-to-moderate sensorineural loss — along with many other state-of-the-art aids for more severe loss.