The best way to look after your hearing is to prevent damage. This can be done by wearing hearing protection when needed (such as custom musician’s plugs or ear defenders), taking regular breaks from noisy environments, keeping the volume down on personal audio devices, and having regular hearing checks if you’re at risk due to noise exposure or family history. If you have an ear infection or a condition affecting your ears, it’s important to seek treatment quickly.

If you often have to ask people to repeat themselves, struggle to understand conversation in noisy environments, or find yourself turning up the TV or phone volume, it might be time for a hearing test. It’s also important to have regular hearing tests if you’re over 50 or are exposed to noisy environments on a regular basis.

A hearing assessment is a non-invasive process and will usually involve several different tests to check how well you can hear different sounds, tones and speech. Your audiologist will also ask about your hearing and any issues or concerns that you may have. This information will then be used to determine if you have hearing loss and, if so, what can be done to help improve your hearing.

Not always. Hearing loss treatment will depend on the underlying cause and may include medical intervention or management options. For example, wax removal, medical treatment for ear infections, or bone conduction devices are often the most appropriate management or treatment options.

Adult hearing assessments are recommended every 2–3 years or earlier if you notice changes to your hearing or are concerned about hearing loss. If you’re over 50 or regularly exposed to noisy environments, hearing checks are even more important.

Tinnitus is when you perceive sounds in the ear without there being an external source (i.e. hearing a ringing, buzzing or hissing sound). Tinnitus can often be treated with sound therapy, tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), and hearing aids.

You can help keep your hearing aids working well by cleaning and drying them regularly, replacing batteries or charging when required, and storing them in a protective case when not in use. Regular visits to your audiologist for cleaning and adjustments will also ensure they continue to work optimally.

Children of all ages can have hearing loss tested for. If you have any concerns about your child’s hearing, it’s important to have them tested. Early intervention can help improve speech and language outcomes.

We have an audiologist that specialises in testing children and has a range of child-friendly tests and techniques to ensure they feel comfortable and relaxed.

Some hearing loss, for example, caused by ageing or long-term exposure to loud noise, is permanent. Other types of hearing loss that are caused by infections, fluid or earwax can be treated. Your audiologist will be able to help you understand what kind of hearing loss you have and how it can be treated.

Bone conduction devices are designed to help people with conductive hearing loss or single-sided deafness. Rather than amplifying sound through the ear canal, the sound is transmitted through the bones of the skull directly to the inner ear.

Most private health insurance plans provide some cover for hearing aids and audiology services. It’s important to check your health insurance policy to determine what services are included. Our team can help guide you through the process of claiming through your health insurance provider.