Don't guess when it comes to your hearing. Book a hearing test with the experts at Hearing Auckland in Remuera
- struggle to hear conversations, especially in noisy places?
- often ask people to repeat themselves or turn up the TV volume?
- experience ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus)?
- work in or are exposed to loud environments regularly?
If you answered yes to any of the questions, or you are over 50, then consider getting a hearing test at Hearing Auckland.
We offer a free hearing screening followed by more comprehensive audiometry tests if required. The MNZAS-certified audiologists at our hearing clinic provide clear results and tailored recommendations. Plus we are not tied to any one manufacturer so we give you honest advice based on your need for a hearing aid rather than a desire to sell a product.
If you are concerned about your hearing, book an appointment at our audiology clinic today. Conveniently located in Remuera, we welcome clients from across East Auckland.
Free 30-minute hearing check
If you're unsure whether you have hearing loss or to what extent your hearing is damaged, our free hearing check is a great place to start. This 30-minute appointment is designed to give you a quick and simple indication of your hearing ability. During the test you'll wear headphones and listen to a variety of speech frequency tones. Using the results we'll assess how well you hear different sounds. The results tell us whether further testing is needed.
Quick check
You can quickly your hearing at home using this quick screener. This is not a substitute for a screening test at our clinic, but will give you an indication of whether you have a hearing loss, and the extent of it.
Quick check here
Quick check here
Comprehensive 90-minute diagnostic hearing assessment
If you’ve noticed more pronounced difficulties with hearing, or your free screening raises potential issues, our 90-minute diagnostic hearing assessment provides a more detailed evaluation. This assessment includes:
- Tone audiometry tests to measure how well you hear different pitches and volumes.
- Speech comprehension tests to assess how clearly you understand speech.
- Middle ear function checks to identify any issues affecting your hearing.
This assessment helps us determine whether hearing loss is caused by issues in the outer, middle or inner ear and the severity of the loss.
Personalised hearing needs assessment
Hearing loss affects everyone differently, depending on lifestyle, work environment, and daily communication needs. During the assessment, we'll discuss your listening challenges and lifestyle needs. This helps us to provide tailored recommendations on the best type of hearing aid or whether another treatment option such as regular earwax removal would be more suitable.
Hearing loss affects everyone differently, depending on lifestyle, work environment, and daily communication needs. During the assessment, we'll discuss your listening challenges and lifestyle needs. This helps us to provide tailored recommendations on the best type of hearing aid or whether another treatment option such as regular earwax removal would be more suitable.
What to expect during your hearing test
We want your hearing test experience to be straightforward and stress-free. Here’s what happens during your appointment:
Our team will discuss your hearing concerns, lifestyle needs, and any previous hearing issues.
We’ll conduct a series of assessments using advanced audiometry test equipment. The audiologist will explain the tests so you understand what is happening and what you need to do.
You'll receive immediate feedback, with clear next steps, including medical referrals or hearing aid discussions if needed. Our goal is to provide clarity and guidance, so you leave with a better understanding of your hearing health and the best options available to you.
If you are concerned about the cost of a hearing test or hearing aids, please talk to us. We may be able to assist you in finding hearing aid funding.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Hearing loss
We generally think of our ear as the external part- the” lug” we put our glasses on top of. Technically this is called the pinna and it’s one of three parts of our ear, which is one of three parts of our hearing system.
- Outer ear (Pinna and ear canal): The pinna helps to direct sound waves down the ear canal to the eardrum (tympanic membrane). The length and shape of the ear canal help to protect the eardrum from insects, flying debris and foreign objects such as cotton buds.
- Middle ear: The eardrum and three minuscule bones that physically amplify sound and transmit it to the inner ear by vibrating the oval window.
- Inner ear: Shaped like a snail, but it works like a microphone. The inner ear converts physical movements (vibrations of the oval window) into electrical signals- nerve impulses- that are sent to the auditory cortex in the brain where we actually hear sounds.
Sound waves (partially collected and directed by the pinna) travel down the ear canal to the eardrum causing it to vibrate. The eardrum in turn vibrates three tiny bones in the middle ear, which also amplify these vibrations and ultimately vibrate the oval window at the base of the cochlea which houses the inner ear. Oval window vibrations cause tiny hair cells in the cochlea to bend or move and stimulate the fibres of the hearing nerve which transmits the signal to the brain.
Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. It can be conductive or sensorineural.
- Temporary hearing loss is usually conductive and caused by ear wax blocking the (external) ear canal.
- Temporary sensorineural hearing loss is relatively rare and may be caused by exposure to loud sounds or some medical conditions such as Menier's disease
Temporary hearing loss due to noise exposure is a warning that your ears are being damaged and it will become permanent if noise exposure continues.
Hearing loss resulting from a problem in the outer or middle ear is called conductive hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss is most often due to earwax which can be removed by micro-suction. Other causes of conductive hearing loss can usually be treated medically or surgically.
Causes include:
- a blocked ear canal (usually blocked by ear wax but also could be blocked by debris, skin, foreign objects, and occasionally water)
- damage to the eardrum
- an ear infection or fluid in the middle ear
- fixation (usually partial but can develop to complete) of one of the bones of the middle ear (otosclerosis)
Symptoms include:
- frequently saying “what”
- a reduction in the volume of heard sound- inability to hear faint sounds
- ear pain
- tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Sensorineural hearing loss is typically caused by damage to the inner ear or the hearing nerve, but it can also refer to hearing loss due to damage in the auditory cortex- the hearing part of the brain. Excessive noise exposure reduces the inner ear’s response to sound. Hearing loss is initially temporary, but if the noise was very intense- from a blast, for example, the inner ear can sustain permanent damage in an instant. Repeat doses of excessive noise exposure will lead to gradually increasing permanent hearing loss. Your ears don’t get toughened by loud sounds, they get destroyed and you get deafened.
Causes include:
- ageing
- noise exposure
- hereditary factors
- head injuries
- medication or other substances that are toxic to the auditory system
Symptoms include:
- frequently saying “what”
- reduction of the volume of heard sound
- distortion in sound clarity
- sensitivity to loud sound
- tinnitus