Frequently Asked Questions

This is one of the most common questions that are asked. People can’t look in their own ears (unless trained to do so) so they wouldn’t know if there is a wax build-up affecting sound getting through.

• Tinnitus (Commonly ringing or buzzing in the ear)
• Irritation or itching in the ear
• Sudden hearing loss
• Blocked or muffled sensations in the ears
• Dizziness
• Ear ache

This list is just a few examples of many symptoms. Some people don’t even know until their ears have been looked into.
Just how we get our eyes and teeth checked regularly, it’s vital to have your ears checked too.

A build up of ear wax can happen if:

• You have narrow or damaged ear canals
• You have lots of hair in your ear canals
• You have a skin condition affecting your scalp or around your ear
• You have inflammation of your ear canal (otitis externa or ‘swimmer’s ear’ (NHS)
• You use cotton buds to push the wax further down the ear canal

Micro-suction is the gold standard method of removing ear wax/debris using microscopic vision and a gentle suction device. Unlike
traditional syringing, the Audiologist can see in the ear at all times. This makes micro-suction the safest method for wax removal.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms you may require ear wax removal. The symptoms are:

• Earache
• Hearing loss
• Lack of benefit from hearing aids
• Itchy ears
• Dizziness
• Ringing/buzzing noises in the ears
• Blocked ears

Our prices are £45 for one ear and £60 for both ears. However, prices may vary due to location, time, and other factors. Please contact us for an accurate quote.

You do not need a GP referral to get your ears cleaned through us. We would advise that you do not clean your ears by yourself but rather request our specialists to take a look. We will aim to meet you and get an appointment in place at the earliest opportunity.

Typically, for an age related hearing loss, family members may tell you that you’re not hearing them too well or that you’re unknowingly asking them to repeat things a lot. You may also find that the TV volume is slowly getting louder compared to what others need it at or you might have difficulty hearing in background noise.

Hearing loss can be due to several factors such as the age, exposure to loud noise, medications, infections, head or ear trauma, congenital (birth) or genetic factors and diseases to name a few.

The results are plotted on a chart called an audiogram. The top of the graph is very quiet and the bottom of the graph is very loud. Frequency, from low to high, is plotted from left to right. Hearing level (HL) is measured in decibels (dB) and is described in categories.

• Normal hearing (<20 dB HL)Mild hearing loss (21-40 dB HL)
• Moderate hearing loss (41-70dB HL)
• Severe hearing loss (71-95 dB HL)
• Profound hearing loss (greater than 95 dB HL)

There are many types of hearing aids today and the style or device depends on your lifestyle, budget and hearing loss needs. There are in-the-ear styles as well as behind-the-ear styles. In addition to selecting the right style of device, it’s also important to consider what features would be most beneficial to you. Today’s hearing aids are even equipped with Bluetooth connectivity to work with wireless technology like a cell phone or television.

Hearing aids are available in different sizes, colours and styles, thanks to advancements in digital technology. Many of today’s hearing aids are considered sleek, compact and innovative – offering solutions to a wide range of hearing aid users. When selecting a style of hearing aid, the following should be considered:

-The type/degree of the hearing loss

-Power requirements

-Manual dexterity and visual abilities

-Budget

-Cosmetics and aesthetics

-Anatomical and medical considerations

-Lifestyle requirements

People with all types and degrees of hearing loss can benefit from an assistive listening device (ALD). Since the microphone of a typical hearing aid is worn on or behind your ear, its ability to enhance the signal to noise ratio can be limited. However, ALDs are designed to increase the signal, such as a radio, television or a public speaker, without increasing the background noise. This is because the microphone of the assistive listening device is placed close to the talker or device being used, while the microphone of the hearing aid is always close to the listener.

ALDs include alarm clocks, TV listening systems, telephone and other devices. Many newer devices are small, wireless and compatible with a person’s hearing aids. Alarms and other home ALDs may be small devices that are placed discreetly on tables, next to the TV or on the wall.

Tinnitus is the perception of noises in the head and/or ear which have no external source. It derives from the latin word for ringing and those living with the condition may have to endure a ringing, buzzing, hissing, whistling or other noise. The sensation can be constant or intermittent and it can vary in volume. It is not a disease or illness; it is a symptom generated within the auditory system and usually caused by an underlying condition. The noise may be in one or both ears, or it may feel like it is in the head. It is difficult to pinpoint its exact location. It may be low, medium or high pitched and can be heard as a single noise or as multiple components. Occasionally people have tinnitus that can seem like a familiar tune or song. This is known as musical tinnitus or musical hallucination. Some people have tinnitus which has a beat in time with their heartbeat. This is called pulsatile tinnitus.

Tinnitus is often described as a ringing in the ears, but each individual’s experience can differ. The video below will give you an insight into what tinnitus sounds like for those who live with it, having electronically recreated the noises that they hear in their head.

You might hear different types of sound, for example ringing, buzzing, whooshing or humming. The noise may be low, medium or high‑pitched or the sound could vary between these. You may experience just one noise, or several. The sound may be constant or it may come and go intermittently.

Tinnitus is very common and is reported in all age groups, even young children. About 30% of people will experience tinnitus at some point in their lives, but the number of people who live with persistent tinnitus is approximately 13% of UK adults – so more than 1 in 8. Of those people who have persistent tinnitus, around 1 in 10 will find it has a significant impact on their quality of life. Tinnitus is more common in people who have hearing loss (usually caused by ageing, or exposure to loud noise) or other ear problems, but it can also be found in people with normal hearing. There is also a range of ailments that may cause tinnitus.

Tinnitus Risk Factors

• People exposed to loud music
• People working with loud machinery
• People exposed to loud bangs
• People who use headphones for music or entertainment

It’s hard to pinpoint the exact cause of tinnitus, but it’s generally agreed that it results from some type of change, either mental or physical, but not necessarily related to the ear. Indeed, tinnitus is not a disease or illness in itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying condition.

Potential causes of tinnitus:

• Hearing loss
• Exposure to loud noise
• Stress and Anxiety
• Ear Infections
• Ear Wax Build-up
• Ménière’s Disease
• Glue Ear
• Perforated Eardrum

Less commonly, tinnitus may develop as a result of a head injury, changes in blood flow (eg anaemia, high blood pressure), reactions to certain medications, acoustic neuroma (a rare non-cancerous growth that affects the hearing nerve), diabetes, and thyroid disorders.

Tinnitus can become a problem for both hearing and hearing-impaired people. Although Tinnitus is more common in people who have hearing loss, it can also be apparent in people with normal hearing. Many researchers and scientists continue to research this subject as they believe it may hold the key to explaining tinnitus as a whole.

if you’re hearing ringing or buzzing in your ears continually or regularly for a prolonged period of time you should consult your GP. They will usually check your ears for any common potential causes such as infection or earwax build-up, before referring you to a specialist if the initial investigations bear no results. Onward referral will usually be to a tinnitus clinic within a hospital ENT or Audiology Department. There, you may be seen by a medically qualified doctor (Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon or Audiovestibular Physician) or by an audiologist or hearing therapist.

During the clinic appointment, you will be asked about your tinnitus and have a full history taken. It is usual to have an ear examination with an otoscope and a hearing test.

You may be given a tinnitus assessment questionnaire. These, together with open-ended questions, help to assess the impact of the tinnitus and any other associated symptoms such as hearing loss, hyperacusis and dizziness.

A management plan for treatment will then be devised with you, and ongoing support will probably be provided by an audiologist or hearing therapist.

Although tinnitus is often thought to be an ear problem, it’s generated further up in the auditory system by the brain itself. The perception of tinnitus varies from person to person – the noise may be heard in one ear, in both ears or in the middle of the head or it may be difficult to pinpoint its exact location – or it may even ‘move’ around. All of this is perfectly normal for tinnitus.