Just like with your sight, our hearing can gradually change over time, but we don’t want it to affect the way you live your life. That is why, at Brownbills Optometrists, we are delighted to now offer a comprehensive hearing care service through The Hearing Care Partnership (THCP).
THCP employs fully qualified audiologists and shares our dedication to providing first-class professional care. THCP run clinics in our practice every week, offering services including:
- Free/Complimentary hearing assessments
- The latest digital hearing aids with lifetime aftercare
- Ear wax removal
- Hearing protection
If you, a friend or relative have concerns about hearing, please visit thcp.co.uk or call us for more information and to book an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors can cause hearing loss?
Most people who experience hearing los as they get older so so because of wear and tear to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear. In the UK, more than 40% of people over 50 years old have hearing loss, rising to more than 70% of people over the age of 70. Other factors that can cause hearing loss include:
- regular exposure to loud noise;
- injury;
- disease;
- certain drugs; and/or
- an inherited condition.
How often should I have a hearing test?
THCP recommends that you have a hearing test every two years, which they can provide free of charge.
What does a full hearing assessment include?
A full hearing assessment with THCP will include:
- A review of your medical history and an opportunity to discuss any changes you may have noticed to your hearing or your day-to-day listening.
- Video otoscopy of the outer ear, eardrum and canal.
- Tympanometry: a functionality test of the middle ear to see whether it’s healthy
- Pure Tone Audiometry: sounds (pure tones) are presented through headphone, to assess you ability to hear different frequencies at difference volumes. This produces an Audiogram (a graph) of your hearing results.
- Speech testing to review you ability to process words in both quiet and in noise.
How does the wax removal work?
THCP offer a comprehensive ear wax removal service, delivered by their trained professionals. Please note there is a charge for this service.
During your appointment, your wax removal clinician will choose the most suitable method for you based on your level of wax build-up, medical history, as well as the condition and position of earwax within your ear.
Manual Removal
If you only have a small amount of earwax that’s built up near the entrance of your ear canal, manual removal is the best option. For this, a variety of tools may be used to safely remove wax from the ear canal.
Microsuction
The safest and cleanest way to remove earwax from moderately blocked ears is the microsuction method. A gentle procedure to remove excess wax from the ear canal.
Water Irrigation
This is safer, gentler, and more effective technology than the old ‘syringing’ method. With water irrigation, body temperature water is used to flush debris out of the ear canal at a low pressure. It’s ideal for removing larger quantities of ear wax.