Book a hearing test in Stratford-upon-Avon

Have you been noticing a gradual change in your hearing? Perhaps it’s time to take action. At our award-winning hearing centre in Stratford-upon-Avon, we offer comprehensive hearing tests to assess your hearing health and provide personalised solutions.

Read on to find out more about symptoms of hearing loss and what is involved in our hearing tests.

Signs you may need a hearing test

Hearing loss can creep in subtly, but there are several signs that you might need a hearing test:

• Difficulty understanding conversation, especially in noisy environments
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
• Having to turn up the volume on your TV or radio
• A constant ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus)
• Difficulty hearing on the telephone
• If you experience any of these symptoms, it might be time to book a hearing test.

What to expect at your hearing test appointment

When you visit our hearing centre in Stratford-upon-Avon, here’s what your initial assessment appointment will look like:

• Our friendly reception staff will welcome you into our calming waiting room before your appointment.
• You’ll have a conversation about your hearing and lifestyle with one of our expert audiologists.
• The audiologist will perform a video otoscopy to examine your ear and auditory canal.
• A full audiometric hearing assessment will be conducted.
• The results will be explained, and a discussion will follow about the next steps.

The five stages of the Hearing Test

Our thorough hearing test consists of five stages:

Pure Tone Testing: You’ll listen to a series of tones through headphones and a bone conduction vibrator attached to a headband. The aim is to determine the softest level of pure tones you can detect, which helps us identify your hearing thresholds.

Speech Testing: Words will be presented through headphones, which you’ll need to repeat. This test measures how well you understand speech in quiet and noisy environments, which can help diagnose nerve damage and determine if hearing aids could benefit you.

Tympanometry: An ear tip connected to a machine briefly changes pressure in your ear, measuring the movement of your eardrum and identifying any potential congestion.

Acoustic Reflex: Our ears have a natural reflex that stiffens the eardrum in response to loud noises. This test measures that reflex, using beeps that progressively get louder.

After the Test: You’ll discuss the results and any recommendations with the audiologist. If you are a suitable candidate for hearing aids, we’ll explore potential options with you.

More about our Hearing Centre in Stratford-upon-Avon

Since opening in November 2016, our hearing centre in Stratford-upon-Avon has consistently provided exceptional hearing care. Our contemporary, thoughtfully designed interior reflects our dedication to professional service.

You’ll be greeted by our welcoming staff who prioritise your comfort and well-being, while our state-of-the-art diagnostic assessments and fitting equipment provide unparalleled care. Plus, our custom-built sound booth enables us to conduct detailed hearing tests for accurate diagnoses and personalised treatment plans.

If you’re noticing changes in your hearing, don’t wait. Schedule a hearing test at our Stratford-upon-Avon centre today. It’s the first step towards your journey to better hearing and a better quality of life.

The different types of earwax removal techniques

Here at our private hearing centres in Worcester and Stratford-upon-Avon, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of auditory health and services. Today, we want to take some time to discuss an often overlooked but crucial aspect of hearing health: earwax removal.

Signs you may need your earwax removed

Earwax is not created as a bad thing. It is actually a protection mechanism for the ear canal; the issue only occurs when there is too much. You may need it removed if you have:

• A feeling of fullness in the ear.
• The sensation that everything you hear is muffled.
• Mild Tinnitus (a ringing in the ear).
• Sudden hearing loss after swimming or showering.(Earwax is like a sponge, it soaks up the water and expands within the ear canal, completely blocking it.)

Earwax removal techniques

There are several methods to safely remove earwax, and we are proud to offer these services right in our clinics in Worcester and Stratford-upon-Avon. 

1. Microsuction

Microsuction is a popular and safe method of earwax removal. It involves using a microscope to view the ear canal and a small medical suction device to gently suck out the wax. This method is generally quick, painless, and usually doesn’t require any pre-treatment with ear drops.

2. Ear Irrigation

Ear irrigation is another common method. This technique uses a pressurised flow of water to dislodge the wax buildup. This method is used if the wax is very soft and wet. This is often the case if the patient has been using lots of aggressive ear drops such as Otex.

3. Endoscopic Earwax Removal

This method uses a narrow tube-like instrument with a light and a camera lens at the end (an endoscope). The endoscope allows us to look deep into the ear canal and remove the earwax safely and effectively. This procedure is often more comfortable than microsuction and can be highly effective for complex cases or difficult-to-reach wax.

How much is earwax removal?

All our methods are charged at £80 and we will decide at your appointment which would best suit you. This includes a 30 minute appointment, involving a video otoscopy to record images of your ear drums before and after the procedure and ear wax removal for one or both ears as required.

If a second, or follow up appointment is required, this will be charged at a reduced rate of £40. If no ear wax is found, we will perform a Tympanometry test to measure your middle ear function and rule out any fluid or congestion in the middle ear, this will be a fee of £40. We will give advice or arrange an onward referral to an appropriate medical specialist if required.

Why choose our clinics in Stratford-upon-Avon and Worcester

At our hearing centres, we have a team of highly skilled audiologists who are experienced in these earwax removal methods. We understand that every ear is unique, and so we personalise our approach based on your specific needs.

Our Audiologists are all hospital trained Clinical Audiologists. They have been trained in the specialist NHS Rotherham ear care unit and examined for competency in ear wax removal procedures by ENT surgeons. All our audiologists have also performed procedures on 100s of ears in logged training under the supervision of Victoria Dixon, who has been teaching ear wax removal in the private sector for 15 years.

At our Stratford and Worcester hearing centres, we use medical ENT microscopes or high spec surgical loupes, which give a much higher level of magnification than magnified glasses commonly used by makeshift earwax removal clinics in many national companies, pharmacies and opticians. This ensures the Audiologist has a clear view of what he/she is doing and accurate depth perception maximises safety and effective outcome of the procedure.

We use clinical, highest specification, ENT suction units, made by Otopront. These suction units are substantially more advanced than the small portable off label home suction units commonly used by other companies.

Maintaining your hearing health is our top priority. So, why not take the first step today and book an appointment with us? With locations in Stratford-upon-Avon and Worcester, professional help is right around the corner.

If you have any questions or concerns about earwax removal, or if you’re experiencing symptoms like hearing loss, discomfort, or tinnitus, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is ready to assist you on your journey towards better hearing.

Let us help you unblock the silence and enjoy the sounds of life again.