If our Ear Examination has shown you don't require Microsuction Ear Wax Removal, we complete your Ear Health Check with a 10 minute multifrequency Hearing Assessment.
Hearing Assessment: An overview
The ear is an intricate and amazing organ that performs the complex task of hearing, they aid with our balance, connect us to the world and are vital to keeping us safe. They work by transmitting sound pressure waves to the Tympanic Membrane and through the 3 Ossicles - the Malleus, the Incus and the Stapes. These delicate bones are amongst the smallest in the body! This results in a pressure wave in the fluid of the Cochlea, which is sensed by small hair cells that convert them into electrical impulses which are then carried to the brain and this is how we hear.
One of the most common causes of hearing loss is age related, this is because with age the small hair cells inside the ear gradually wear out over time and they are not repairable, though the factors leading to hearing loss can be varied.
Whilst we advocate for everyone over the age of 18 to maintain annual Ear Health Checks it is particularly important if you have recently noticed difficulty hearing, have a family history of hearing loss, suffer from symptoms of Vertigo or Tinnitus, or have occupational or recreational exposure to loud noise, as the long term impact on your overall health can be significant.
You may be 3x more likey to fall
As hearing health declines reduced awareness is a key factor leading to falls, but that's not all - the health of the Vestibular System in the inner ear is vital for our balance too - with poor health leading to feelings of Vertigo and dizziness.
Can increase risk of social isolation
Difficulty hearing can make social interaction not just challenging, but tiring too, for everyone involved. This can lead to a reduction in social activities impacting your confidence and self-esteem, increasing the risk of social isolation.
A known, modifiable risk factor for Dementia
Whilst social isolation has long been understood as a risk factor for Dementia - which poor hearing health itself can increase - untreated hearing loss can also lead to changes in brain structure, accelerating cognitive decline.
Can have a negative impact on your work performance
Many of the same issues compound in a work environment - missing key information in meetings from reduced hearing ability, or struggling to concentrate due to symptoms of Tinnitus can have real world consequences.
Performed annually our Hearing Assessment can provide early signs of changes in your hearing ability, which could be crucial for many of our patients.
Carl Ainley - Ear Care Practitioner
Hearing Assessment: The appointment
In just 10 minutes we can utilise the TympaHealth all-in-one ear and hearing health platform to complete a Hearing Assessment, providing instant audiogram results, so we can monitor annually the ongoing health of your hearing.
A Simple Approach
Our 10 minute hearing assessment is provided by the TympaHealth all-in-one ear and hearing health platform. In a simple sense it is attempting to find the quietest sounds audible to you.
Using tones spread across 4 different frequencies your hearing will be tested across both ears and this provides us with an audiogram result which we will discuss with you on completion.
Providing Instant Results
You will be asked to wear a set of over-ear headphones and listen carefully to the tones that are emitted. When you hear a sound simply tap the device to register that you've heard it.
Upon completion we are provided with an instant audiogram result, which will plot on a graph the sounds you can hear at different frequencies (or pitch) and intensities (or loudness) in each ear.
With Annual Reviews
The results will demonstrate whether your hearing falls within normal limits and provides us with a baseline to compare against in 12 months time. This is invaluable in monitoring the ongoing condition of your hearing health.
If your results are outside of normal limits, we can provide your audiogram results to your GP and refer you for a full diagnostic hearing assessment with an audiologist.
What happens next?
With your Hearing Assessment complete, that concludes your Ear Health Check and we look forward to seeing you next year.
Post-Treatment Care
If you haven't had ear wax removed then there are no special precautions to take after your treatment. If we've referred your results on for further assessement we will be in touch.
Annual Recall
With your Ear Health Check now complete we will contact you again in 12 months time for your next Ear Health Check - but contact us sooner if you feel your ear or hearing health changes.
You'll find answers to many of the frequently asked questions about our Hearing Assessment below, but if you have a question we've missed please don't hesitate to get in touch!
Our Ear Health Check appointments are only suitable for adults aged 18 and over and that includes the Hearing Assessment. If you are under 18 or are looking for advice or treatment for your child we would recommend contacting your GP directly.
Whilst the volume level will sound different for each person, the simple answer is 'No' and you will need to listen carefully to the tones in order to hear them.
If your audiogram test results are outside of the limits we'd expect to see, then we can provide your full results and our assessment to your GP and refer you for a full diagnostic hearing assessment with an audiologist.
We do not sell hearing aids. If you believe you require hearing aids or are looking for replacement hearing aids we recommend speaking with a specialist audiologist or your local GP for more details.
The Hearing Assessment we provide via the TympaHealth ear and hearing health platform is not designed for users of hearing aids. As a user of hearing aids if you are looking for treatment or advice specifically relating to your hearing health we recommend contacting your GP directly.
Have you had your ears checked in the last 12 months?
As a society we just don't prioritise ear and hearing health in the same way we do with our eyes and teeth, yet neglecting this can be genuinely life changing. Take action and book your Ear Health Check today!
