What to consider for ear checks near you

When thinking of booking an ear check appointment here are the things to consider including  why, when, who, how, the cost and length of an ear check appointment.

Why you should book a private ear check appointment

Private hearing clinics offer accessibility, quick appointments and sometimes even same day appointments.

If you are having concerns about your ears and need a professional to check your ears in order to offer advice, treatment or the next course of action. Booking an ear examination can be a good first step to take. 

When is the right time to book an ear check

As soon as a problem is noticed with your ears, it is recommended that you get your ears checked. If your family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances or even boss or teacher comment on your hearing then it would be the right time to check. If you notice a change in your hearing abruptly overnight. Then we would strongly recommend that you get your ears checked as soon as possible. This is particularly important for cases like sudden hearing loss which requires intervention as soon as possible for successful treatment. (So please don’t wait for “it” to clear up on it’s own).

What happens during the ear check appointment

An ear check appointment could involve an ear examination, a hearing test or a comprehensive hearing assessment. 

The difference between an ear examination, a hearing test and a comprehensive hearing assessment at Sonant Hearing Clinic

An ear examination is a thorough observation of the outer ear and it’s surrounding areas,  the ear canal and eardrum. An otoscope is used to examine the ear. A standard otoscope is a special mini torch light with a magnifying lens shone into the ear canal to illuminate and magnify the ear canal allowing a clear view of the entire structure of the ear. 

A hearing test has the objective of finding out the softest sounds one can hear.  You are given a button to press (or another means of responding is explained during the appointment) whenever you hear a sound in your ears. The sound is sent into your ears with a pair of headphones, a vibrating bone conductor or in the ear insert foam plugs. 

A comprehensive hearing assessment includes an ear examination with video otoscopy (here the view of the ear canal is displayed on screen for the patient and clinician to view at the same time), a hearing test, a speech test which can be speech in quiet, speech in noise or both. A middle ear pressure test/ tympanometry is also carried out to find out the middle ear pressure and ear drum mobility. A middle ear reflex test could be included (depending on patient history) to find out how responsive the middle ear muscles are to sound as well as the nerves connected to each other. 

We offer different types of hearing tests. Find out more here.