Hearing Tests
Independent audiology clinic in Leeds
Why you may need a hearing test?
Hearing is crucial for our quality of life. It helps us maintain friendships, participate in social activities, and enjoy the vast array of sounds that enrich our lives.
On average, people wait 7 years from noticing a hearing problem to getting a hearing test. If any of the following relate to you, you probably would benefit from an appointment to see us.
“People mumble these days”
“In work meetings, I am finding it difficult to hear”
“I can hear people, but not clearly”
“I can’t hear the TV anymore”
“When I am out socially, hearing people is so difficult”
“I have noticed I am sitting silently when in a group conversation”
“Listening to music just isn’t enjoyable anymore”
We know that left untreated, hearing loss has been associated with cognitive decline (research is still exploring these links). That is why we recommend a hearing screening test as a minimum when we reach 55.
This helps you see how your hearing compares to others your age and how often to get your hearing tested.
At ‘The Hearing Space,’ we carefully assess your hearing, taking the time to determine the situations in which you are having the most difficulty
Unlike the big ‘High Street’ providers, we do not use sales techniques or pressure you into buying hearing aids. We are one of the most trusted hearing test providers.
Choose which hearing test is right for you
Free Hearing Check
Have you or your family and friends noticed you are missing conversation?
Are you struggling to hear the TV or listen to the radio?
Our Hearing Check involves the following.
Careful assessment of your ears for any medical issues or earwax problems.
Mini hearing test, testing the key frequencies of sound necessary to hear speech.
Advice and recommendations.
Free (20 mins)
What to expect
Ear examination
Hearing screening test
Hearing advice
Hearing Evaluation
Our most comprehensive hearing assessment and perfect if you are considering taking steps to improve your hearing.
We will explore with you your hearing concerns.
We will examine your ears for any medical issues or earwax problems.
We will accurately assess your hearing, performing a full hearing test, alongside middle ear tests.
We will assess how well you hear speech in background noise.This helps us understand the impact your hearing has on your daily life.
We will then explain your results and provide detailed recommendations on the options available, including hearing aid recommendations.
We can also let you listen to some hearing devices which can be really valuable and insightful.
You will receive a full written report.
£80 (60 mins)
What to expect
Hearing and lifestyle history
Ear examination
Middle ear tests
Pure tone audiometry
Speech in noise testing
Hearing device recommendations
Hearing report
Contact us today or book online
What our clients say
Frequently asked questions
What is involved in a hearing assessment?
We carry out a range of tests to assess hearing function. The standard test requires a person to wear headphones or small insert tubes in the ears. They then listen to a range of different sounds across a range of frequencies and the quietest level they hear at each frequency is their hearing threshold.
This is called pure tone audiometry.
Are hearing assessments accurate?
All assessments are carried out to national standards and using recommended protocols. Accurate evaluation requires a few things.
First, the equipment has to be calibrated to ensure accurate sound levels are produced. Second, the audiologist has to be experienced and follow best practice guidelines.
Third, the person having the test has to respond correctly. Sometimes this is difficult for a range of reasons, and it is the skill of the audiologist to determine if accurate responses are being given.
Can a hearing assessments be carried out on anyone?
If a person can follow simple instructions, then a hearing assessment is possible. So, for most adults, carrying out a test is straightforward. Sometimes if a person has tinnitus, this interferes with the test, however, there are ways to deal with this.
For children, there a different techniques which can be used, often called play audiometry when listening games are used to interest the child.
So for most people, testing hearing is possible.
What would prevent a hearing test from being carried out?
There are several reasons why an accurate hearing test cannot be carried out. Some of them are shown below.
The person has an ear infection which is making the ear discharge, or their ear is sore.
The person has been in a very loud environment in the last 24 hours.
The person is on medication which is making them drowsy.
The audiologist will always ask relevant questions to ensure the hearing test should be carried out.
What other tests of hearing are available?
Pure tone audiometry is the standard hearing evaluation carried out when a person listens to single pure tones in a quiet environment.
There are several advantages of carrying out more advanced listening tests. Speech-in-noise tests are carried out in our Leeds audiology clinic. These tests assess how difficult it may be for a person to hear speech sounds in the presence of background noise.
These are useful because different people have different abilities to hear speech sounds even if their pure tone audiograms are the same. For anyone considering hearing aid technology, these tests are routinely carried out at The Hearing Space.
What is a hearing screening test?
A hearing screening test is a shortened version of the full pure-tone audiometry hearing test. Instead of testing all the frequencies of sound that are included in a full pure-tone audiogram, the screening hearing test focuses on the most important frequencies that we need to hear for speech understanding. If these are found to be not heard well, then a more complete hearing test is usually recommended.
When should I get my hearing tested?
If you or your family or friends suspect you have a hearing problem, then you should get tested as soon as possible. Hearing deteriorates as we get older and for some people, this change happens more quickly.
If you have never had an audiology test, then getting one around age 50 will give you a good understanding of your hearing level for future reference.
Most people who experience hearing loss wait at least 7 years to get help. With new research now showing links between untreated hearing loss and a higher risk of dementia, at our audiology clinic we recommend a hearing test at regular intervals.
Can I get a free hearing assessment?
Many hearing aid chains offer free hearing tests. Yes, they are free at the time of testing, however, they are usually a marketing tactic to get people to visit their store. In reality, the time necessary to perform an accurate hearing test and to determine the needs of a person costs money.
At The Hearing Space, we want to be open about costs and thus we charge for hearing tests. If you are over 65 however, we do offer a free hearing screening test. Also, if you do pay for a full test, this is refunded if you go on to purchase one of our hearing aid packages.
Can I test my hearing at home?
Yes and no. Our online hearing test can be carried out at home and will give you an indication if further testing is recommended.
We would always recommend a full hearing test if you have noticed problems with your hearing.
We offer full diagnostic hearing test, all performed to national standards.