Services
Not just earwax removal
Comprehensive Hearing Assessment
Hearing loss is incredibly common, especially as we age, and is never something anyone should suffer in silence as it can have a hugely detrimental effect on the health and quality of life. If you know or have a feeling your hearing isn’t as good as it once was, we would love to see you for a hearing test with one of our skilled audiologists. You don’t need a referral, you can book direct with us (see our contact page for how to get in touch). As professionals we offer a comprehensive range of hearing assessment tests to evaluate different aspects of hearing and ear health, the methods used vary based on the age of the person, the environment, the problem presented by the patient and the purpose of the test. These tests can help in identifying hearing loss, understanding its nature, and deciding on the appropriate treatment necessary, whether this is just giving general advice, referrals to other professionals or the need for a hearing system. I will work with you to assess your hearing and develop a personalised treatment plan. Here's a summary of the key tests included in hearing assessments:
Full Hearing Assessment
Pure Tone Audiometry & Bone Conduction Tests: These tests measure the faintest sounds that can be heard at different frequencies. Pure tone testing uses headphones to deliver sounds, stimulating the entire auditory system, while bone conduction testing uses a device placed behind the ear to bypass the outer and middle ear, directly testing inner ear function
The audiogram that is produced is a subjective, behavioural measurement that relies on your response to pure tone stimuli – as such, it’s only appropriate for adults and children old enough to follow the test procedure.
Wideband Tympanometry
Wideband Tympanometry (WBT): This is an advanced form of tympanometry testing the middle ear function across a wide range of frequencies (226 Hz to 8000 Hz). It is particularly useful for detecting conditions like otitis media, otosclerosis, and other middle ear pathologies. Acoustic Reflex and Static Acoustic Impedance testing are other tests performed to measure the reflexive contraction of the middle ear muscles in response to loud sounds and the flow of air pressure in the ear canal respectively, providing insight into middle ear function.
This is a further diagnostic test may be needed if wax shows to
be insignificant . A feeling of blockage may seem wax related to the, but a full assessment with Tympanometry can reveal the of an entirely different condition that needs to be managed, tympanometry is a very safe, objective test of middle-ear function.
Other Hearing Evaluation Tests
Speech Audiometry: Includes several speech tests such as the Speech Reception Threshold (SRT), Speech Discrimination Tests, and the QuickSIN test, which estimates signal-to-noise ratio loss. These tests evaluate how well words can be distinguished at different volume levels and in noise.
Threshold Equalisation Noise (TEN) & Acceptable Noise Level (ANL) Tests: The TEN test helps identify cochlear dead regions by measuring pure tone thresholds in a special masking noise. The ANL test determines the maximum level of background noise a person can accept while still understanding speech.
It's essential to note that not all tests may be required or performed simultaneously. The selection of tests depends on the individual's age, symptoms, and the specific diagnostic needs. For those interested in the technical details of how wideband tympanometry works and its benefits, it provides more consistent and clearer results compared to traditional tympanometry, thanks to its ability to test across a broad frequency range in one sweep.
Hearing Aid Selection & Fitting
Hearing aids are devices used to combat hearing loss, and can improve quality of life and confidence by restoring your ability to pick up quieter conversations and everyday sounds such as doorbells and telephone rings. there is a requirement for a hearing system, we will help you find the right device for your needs. We offer a range of hearing aids from top manufacturers, and we will work with you to ensure the best fit and performance. See below for the different styles of hearing aids
We appreciate that getting used to your hearing system can take time, so we offer free aftercare for the lifetime of your hearing aid. We also include a 60-day money back guarantee.
Micro suction & Irrigation
Micro suction is a wax removal technique using a binocular operating microscope (which allows depth-perception and magnification) or Endoscope to look straight into the ear canal and with a very fine sterile suction device at low pressure to remove the wax and occasionally we may need to remove some hard wax with other instruments. The procedure is safe and there is no chance there will be any damage to the ear canal, making this a lot more comfortable.
Compared to traditional forms of wax removal - ear drops and irrigation or 'syringing'. Micro suction is
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Safer generally, especially for perforations and mastoid cavities
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Quicker.
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Neater.
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Generally better tolerated.
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More effective.
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Doesn't need weeks of waiting for drops to soften the wax.
GUARD YOUR EARS
ENJOY THE VIBE
SHIELD AGAINST NOISE
Noise Protection
Various hobbies and professions can pose a risk to hearing and protective measures and equipment are required. We provide a wide range of hearing protection devices and in-ear monitors to suit different trades, sports and hobbies.
We offer an initial consultation, where we will thoroughly check your ears and discuss what kind of protection is required. We’ll then take impressions of your ears to create custom moulds – it’s important to ensure there is no wax build up in your ears before doing so – and send the impressions to a company that specialises in custom-made hearing protection. It typically takes 2 weeks for these to be made and sent to us, at which point we’ll contact you to arrange a fitting appointment. The different types of hearing protection and in-ear monitors available all prices include the consultation, product itself and fitting.
Hearing Aid Styles
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Hearing aids are devices used to combat hearing loss, and can improve quality of life and confidence by restoring your ability to pick up quieter conversations and everyday sounds such as doorbells and telephone rings. Modern hearing aids are subtle and unobtrusive – our specialists can help you find one to suit your lifestyle and needs. We can also carry out hearing aid assessments at your home, for total ease and comfort. We offer a range of hearing aid styles. Our specialists will be able to advise on which would best suit you, but a summary of the different types is below:
Invisible in the Canal (IIC)
This is perfect if you’re wanting something discreet, as it
they are custom made to sit deep within the ear. Suitable
for mild to moderate hearing loss and available from
multiple manufacturers with various control options. Not
advised for those with particularly narrow ear canals or prone
to ear infections.
Completely in the Canal (CIC)
These are a bit bigger than IIC hearing aids but can
still be custom made for a discreet fit. This style is suitable
for most ear canals and for moderate to severe hearing
loss. Available from a range of manufacturers, most have
remote control and some have wireless compatibility.
In the Ear (ITE Half Shell)
These are larger than CICs and so easier to handle, for those
with dexterity concerns, this is also good for people who
are more ascetically pleasing and still having the power to
deal with more severe losses. This also means they can
carry a larger battery with longer life. Suitable for moderate
to severe hearing loss and most ear canals, with remote control and wireless options available.
In the Ear (ITE Half Shell)
These are largest of all the in the ear hearing aids and so easier
to handle, for those with dexterity concerns. This also means
they can carry a larger battery with longer life. Suitable
for moderate to severe hearing loss and most ear canals,
with remote control and wireless options available.
Receiver in the Canal (RIC)
These are quite similar to Open Ear hearing aids, but the receiver here sits inside the ear, attached by a wire. This reduces the
size of the housing behind the ear and also improves
feedback, meaning these have broader application
and are suitable for mild to severe hearing loss.
Typically have remote control and wireless compatibility
options.
Power Hearing Aids (BTE)
This is the recommended option for those with severe to profound hearing loss and provide benefits including fewer
feedback issues, increased sound without distortion
frequency transposition or compression to increase
audible areas of hearing, increased control and
wireless capability. Modern developments have
reduced the size for greater comfort and subtlety.
Our thorough consultation process enables us to recommend the right hearing aid for you and your lifestyle. CJ Audiology is an authorised independent dispenser of a wide range of hearing aids, including top brands Bernafon, Oticon, Widex and Starkey and Unitron. All models, styles and accessories are available