1. Medical and hearing history

The audiologist asks about your hearing difficulties, tinnitus, ear pain, dizziness, previous ear conditions, family history, noise exposure and any relevant medical history.

2. Ear health examination (otoscopy)

Your ear canals and eardrums are examined using an otoscope. Video-otoscopy may also be used to provide a magnified view of the ear, helping identify earwax, inflammation or other visible abnormalities.

3. Pure-tone audiometry

You wear headphones or earphones and respond to sounds played at different pitches and volumes. This measures the quietest sounds you can hear in each ear.

Air-conduction and bone-conduction testing help determine the type and degree of hearing loss.

4. Results and audiogram explanation

The audiologist explains your results using an audiogram, showing your hearing thresholds across different frequencies. You can discuss whether your hearing is within the expected range or whether a hearing loss has been identified.

5. Personalised advice and recommendations

Depending on your results, the audiologist may recommend hearing protection, communication strategies, further assessment, referral to your GP or ENT service, or discussion of suitable hearing aids where appropriate.

What can a full hearing assessment identify?

A comprehensive assessment can help identify:

• Normal hearing or hearing loss, including its degree and pattern.
• Conductive hearing loss, which may be associated with problems in the outer or middle ear.
• Sensorineural hearing loss, which involves the inner ear or auditory nerve pathways.
• Mixed hearing loss, which combines conductive and sensorineural components.
• Whether further medical investigation or specialist referral may be appropriate.

Additional tests, such as tympanometry, speech audiometry or other specialised assessments, may be recommended depending on your symptoms and clinical findings. Not every full assessment includes every additional test.

How long does it take?

A full hearing assessment typically takes around 30–45 minutes, although it may take longer if your hearing history is complex or additional tests are needed.

What is included at HearUBetter?

For your HearUBetter clinic in Halewood, a full hearing assessment can be described as including:

• Detailed hearing and medical history.
• Otoscopy and, where appropriate, video-otoscopy.
• Full-frequency pure-tone audiometry using air and bone conduction.
• Explanation of the audiogram and hearing test results.
• Personalised recommendations and independent hearing advice.

  Honest, impartial recommendations based on your individual hearing needs, without being tied to any particular hearing aid manufacturer.

• Guidance on further assessment or referral if required.

If earwax is found and removal is clinically appropriate, you can explain any additional earwax removal charge separately from the hearing assessment fee.

The key difference: a full hearing assessment does more than check whether you can hear sounds. It investigates your hearing ability, helps establish the likely type and degree of hearing loss, and provides a plan based on your individual needs.