Your audiologist will carry out a full hearing and speech test to determine the level of hearing loss. After the hearing test is complete the audiologist will discuss the results and the best recommendations to improve your hearing.
Hearing tests can be a cause of anxiety for some people. Perhaps it is fear of the unknown, or maybe it is about confronting an ongoing problem that you’ve been putting off. But at Hearing Wales we are patient, friendly, and very understanding. We’ve conducted thousands of hearing tests over the years and we will put you completely at ease. If you are worried or concerned about anything, just ask!!
We are very proud of the help that we give to all of our patients, both new and existing. In order that we give the best help possible, we have invested heavily in state of the art diagnostic audiology equipment that allows us to deliver definitive results to our clients. We undertake comprehensive diagnostic testing of your hearing using internationally recognised Best Practice processes. The diagnostic evaluation is made up of several tests that give us the information we need to fully evaluate hearing function. With a full and clear diagnosis, we can then assess if you are suitable for hearing aids and what hearing aids will be best for you.
You can arrange to have your free hearing test in any of our FIVE branch locations throughout Wales.
Mumbles – 99 Newton Road, Mumbles SA3 4BN
Swansea – 47/48 The Grove Uplands Swansea SA2 0QR
Cardiff – 161 Pantbach Road, Cardiff, CF14 1TZ
Narberth – 2 High Street, Narberth, SA67 7AR
Newcastle Emlyn – Antique Cottage, Emlyn Square, SA38 9BQ
You can also arrange a free hearing tests at your home or work place if that is more convenient. We have fully portable equipment for this purpose. Call 0800 313 4304 to book.
Speech mapping allows us to assess the impact that your hearing loss is having on your understanding of speech sounds. It helps to answers the question of whether or not your hearing sensitivity is within normal range, or if there is a hearing loss. The test results are also used as a tool to reveal exactly how your loss is affecting your understanding of speech in both quiet and noisy situations. This test and the rest of the group of tests also give us information toward a diagnosis of ear abnormalities. This test is also an excellent tool for assisting us in the recommendation of suitable hearing aids because it allows us to define the sounds in speech that you have most difficulty with.
Our specialist system allows us to present speech to you in both quiet and noisy situations. During these tests, you will be asked to repeat words that are presented to you at normal speech volume levels. Word recognition scores will be determined when you repeat words that are presented at this normal listening level.
This group of tests is plotted on an audiogram which shows your hearing sensitivity. It answers the question of whether or not hearing sensitivity is within normal range or if there is a hearing loss or hearing sensitivity that is outside of the range of normal. The test results are also used as a tool to reveal any asymmetry (hearing sensitivity that is not equal between the two ears). The audiometric configuration (the “shape” of the thresholds) and the rest of the group of tests also give us information toward a diagnosis of ear abnormalities.
This battery of tests involves carefully listening through headphones that are placed over the ears or insert earphones that are placed in the ear canals. Next, pure tones will be presented through the headphones or insert earphones, as well as through a bone-conduction vibrator on a headband that is placed behind the ear. You will listen for the softest level you can detect and will push a button or raise your hand in response. This will determine your hearing thresholds.
Additional tests may be added to the group of tests if an asymmetry of thresholds is found, or if you have tinnitus or dizziness.
This test measures how well your middle ear works. Your middle ear includes your ear drum, the middle ear bones, and your Eustachian tube. It will reveal abnormalities which will signify and can explain a conductive hearing loss and/or a sensation of pressure in the ear.
An ear tip is placed in the canal that is connected to a machine that briefly varies the pressure in the ear. By varying the pressure, the movement of the eardrum can be measured. It takes only a few minutes to complete.
The group of tests is completed in 60 minutes. After the testing, the results are reviewed with you and recommendations are made.
The results of your tests will be recorded on a form called an audiogram, which the hearing aid specialist will review with you. The audiogram reflects your hearing loss in frequencies and decibels. You will be shown the type, pattern, and degree of hearing loss, as well as the percentage of normal conversational speech that you are still able to hear. Your hearing aid specialist will then relate these results to your concerns about your hearing.
If you are a suitable candidate for hearing aids, we will then move onto a hearing aid benefit assessment. During this test, we use our fitting suite to fit a set of suitable hearing aids to your defined loss. We then use Real Ear Measurement (REM) to verify that the devices are delivering the amplification that you need. We will then undertake aided speech tests to ascertain the benefit delivered.
The next step is to consider treatment solutions. You can count on our team to take the time necessary to understand your concerns so that they can provide you with everything you need to make an informed personal decision.
When we have finished your hearing test, we will set out and agree with you a clear way forward, a Patient Journey that covers all of the elements of your treatment. This allows you to be clear on what we propose, how we propose to deliver it and how you can expect to benefit from it.
A full hearing test takes on average 40-60 minutes, depending on the circumstances. Many people choose to bring a friend or family member with them for support during the test, but it is not necessary. At Hearing Wales, we do not expect you to make a decision on the day, and all of our tests are completely without obligation. Additionally, if you do decide to order a hearing aid, we do not expect you to pay for it until the fitting appointment (usually between 3-10 days later), and all of our hearing aids now come with a 60 day money back guarantee
If you research or read about hearing loss or hearing aids, chances are you’ve got the message that getting your hearing loss dealt with early pays dividends in the future.
For one thing early intervention can slow down the future progression of hearing loss. That’s a good enough reason to get it sorted but in addition, a raft of recent research has indicated that tackling hearing loss can help stave off dementia.
However astonishingly, people very often treat their hearing differently to other aspects of their health. If your vision becomes compromised, do you wait years to get glasses? If you have a toothache, do you put off seeing your dentist until the pain becomes unbearable?
Hearing loss, though, is handled differently. Maybe because it usually comes on slower and is easier to “work around” using various coping methods.
But many studies have shown — and many experts have written about — why waiting to treat hearing loss is ill advised. Untreated hearing loss is linked to many “bigger” health issues, including depression, social isolation, increased risk of falling and more. Whereas treating loss has been shown to positively impact many vital quality-of-life issues, such as better relationships with family and friends and improved confidence.
TRY OUR ONLINE HEARING TEST
Our online hearing test is a helpful way to find out more about your hearing. It is not designed to replace a clinical test with a qualified audiologist, either at home or in our clinic. However, it can help you decide if you need to take a closer look at your hearing. It only takes around 3 minutes, and you get instant results!
to try our online hearing test.
A brief guide to taking Hearing Wales online hearing test
What next?
Using our online hearing test can help you decide whether to speak to an audiologist. Its not designed to replace a clinical hearing test but can give you a little bit more information. Of course you don’t have to take the online hearing test before you get in touch! You can call us any time to discuss your hearing and to find out how Hearing Wales can support you.
Most importantly, don’t worry! If you do find you have some kind of hearing loss, you are not alone!
There are 12 million people with hearing loss in the UK, that’s around 1 IN 5 of us.
More than 40% of people over 50 years old have hearing loss, rising to 71% of people over the age of 70.*
We are offering 0% on hearing aids at Hearing Wales. Not just that, we are offering interest free hearing aids with 0% deposit. You can pick your re-payment terms with payments made over 6, 12 or 18 months, whichever suits you and your budget best.
