Here are some of the
questions people ask us about hearing loss.
If we haven't answered your questions here, ask
the Amplifon hearing aid audiologist at your local branch,
phone our
Contact Centre team or email us.
How common is hearing
loss?
What causes hearing
loss?
What
symptoms indicate that I may have a hearing loss?
I think I
have a hearing problem. What should I do?
My main
difficulty is when I'm at parties or in traffic noise. Why is
this?
I seem to
hear better in noisy conditions. Why is this?
If I suffer
from noises in my ears, can this prevent me from wearing hearing
aids?
As I grow
older, will my hearing worsen?
I
have been advised that, because of complications of a middle ear
infection, I shouldn't wear anything at all in my ear. Are there
hearing aids that can still help me?
I
have been advised that I have 'nerve' deafness and that, although I
can hear some sound, hearing aids will not help me. Is there
anything else that can help me?
What's
the difference between 'hearing loss' and 'deafness'?
Why
do I need an appointment for a free hearing test?
What
happens when I go for a free hearing test?
How long does
a hearing test last?
Does somebody
need to attend the hearing test with me?
What if
nobody can attend a hearing test appointment with me?
Who conducts the
hearing test?
How soon could I
get an appointment for a free hearing test?
Where is my nearest
branch?
Could you come to my
home?
How much does a
hearing test cost?
How much do hearing
aids cost?
Do you
offer any support once I've purchased my hearing aid from
you?
Why
should I come to Amplifon rather than the NHS or another
company?
Our Price Promise
How can I keep my
ears healthy?
Also see Hearing aids - your
questions answered
How common is hearing
loss?
Hearing impairment affects many people at different stages of
their lives. 55% of people over 60 years of age have some
degree of hearing loss, rising to over 70% of
people by the time they reach 70 and 93% of people 81 years
and older. This shows that if your hearing is deteriorating it
isn't unusuall at all. Hearing loss can affect your quality of life
and it's never too late to do something about it, so if you have
any concerns book an appointment for a free hearing
test and talk to one of our qualified hearing aid audiologists
who will be happy to help.
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What causes hearing
loss?
Most hearing loss is caused by the ageing process, however
regular exposure to loud noises, heredity, and some illnesses can
also cause hearing loss. Around 90% of all cases of hearing loss
are because the microscopic hair cells in the cochlea (or inner
ear) become damaged which limits their ability to detect soft,
higher frequency sounds and means that they cannot send a
complete signal to the brain. As a result, it becomes difficult to
understand the consonants that allow us to understand speech.
Also see How our
hearing works Types and causes of
hearing loss
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What
symptoms indicate that I may have a hearing loss?
The first sign of hearing loss is a difficulty in hearing
certain sounds or tones clearly. For example, you may be unable to
distinguish similar sounding words or hear higher pitched voices,
such as those of children. Other signs include difficulty with
cross-conversations, hearing at a distance such as in meetings,
listening to the TV or radio, or hearing in large buildings where
there may be echoes such as in churches or auditoria.
Also see Take our
online hearing
questionnaire Symptoms
of hearing loss
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I think I have
a hearing problem. What should I do?
If you think you have a hearing loss, the first thing you need
to do is have a free hearing test at your local Amplifon
branch. It may be that a build-up of wax or an infection has
temporarily affected your hearing, in which case our hearing aid
audiologist can advise you on the best course of action. All our
hearing aid audiologists are trained to identify cases where a
medical opinion or treatment is required, so they would refer you,
if necessary, for treatment by your GP or at your hospital's Ear,
Nose and Throat department. If your hearing loss isn't due to these
problems, then our hearing aid audiologist will be able to
recommend hearing aids suitable for the level of your hearing loss
and your lifestyle.
Also see Symptoms
of hearing loss Book a free
hearing test
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My main
difficulty is when I'm at parties or in traffic
noise. Why is
this?
There may be many reasons for difficulty in discriminating
speech from background noise and this is usually an indication of
sensorineural hearing
loss. A hearing assessment will reveal the cause of this
problem and properly prescribed and fitted hearing aids will
normally provide significant improvement.
Also see Types and causes of
hearing loss
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I seem to
hear better in noisy conditions. Why is this?
This is a not uncommon phenomenon called the 'Paracusis of
Willis'. It is thought to occur with certain causes of hearing loss
because in the presence of background sound people raise their
voices. This mobilises the ossicular chain of bones in the middle
ear and generally indicates conductive hearing loss, usually
caused by otosclerosis (abnormal bone growth in the middle ear),
which may respond to surgery.
Also see How our
hearing works Types and causes of
hearing loss
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If I suffer from
noises in my ears, can this prevent me from wearing hearing
aids?
This problem is called tinnitus and hearing aids can often
help as people with a hearing loss often suffer from this
condition. Your first step should be to seek the advice of your GP,
however if you also have a hearing loss, then your hearing aid
audiologist can prescribe suitable hearing aids that can help you
manage your tinnitus more effectively.
Also see Tinnitus
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As I grow
older, will my hearing worsen?
It is generally accepted that our hearing worsens with age. Not
only have older people's auditory system been exposed to noise for
many years but also, as we age, all our facilities deteriorate,
including our hearing. A free hearing test will quickly
establish if you do have a hearing loss and our
hearing aid audiologist will then be able to recommend suitable
aids to improve your hearing. Regular hearing tests and Aftercare will ensure that any
deterioration in your hearing is picked up quickly so that your
hearing aids always provide you with the best possible hearing
improvement.
Also see Take our
online hearing questionnaire
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I
have been advised that, because of complications of a middle ear
infection, I shouldn't wear anything at all in my ear. Are there
hearing aids that can still help me?
Providing that your hearing loss is mostly confined to the
middle ear, you should have a good chance of hearing well with
'bone conduction' hearing aids. These work by transmitting
amplified sound through the mastoid bone to the inner ear, so
by-passing the affected middle ear. These types of hearing aids are
most commonly designed as part of a pair of spectacles.
Also see Types and causes of
hearing loss
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I
have been advised that I have "nerve" deafness and that, although I
can hear some sound, hearing aids will not help me. Is there
anything else that can help me?
As a result of continuing advances in hearing aid technology,
you may benefit from a hearing aid with the technology specifically
designed for this type of hearing loss. Unless you suffer from
total or profound "nerve" deafness, you could gain considerable
benefit from wearing properly prescribed hearing aids.
Also see Book a free
hearing test
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What's
the difference between 'hearing loss' and 'deafness'?
'Deafness' usually implies a severe or profound hearing loss
that only affects a minority of the hearing impaired
population.
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Why do
I need an appointment for a hearing free test?
Everyone's hearing starts to deteriorate from an early age but
especially from 50 onwards. So if you are having any hearing
difficulties at all, it is worth having a free hearing
test with one of our qualified hearing aid audiologists.
During the test we can establish whether your hearing problems
are due to medical reasons or simply 'wear and tear' (age or having
worked in noisy environments are the usual causes of wear and
tear). If you have not already seen a specialist and your hearing
problems are due to medical reasons, we will refer you to an
appropriate medical specialist, usually your doctor, for further
investigation. If they are due to wear and tear we will
discuss the results of the hearing test with you and discuss
the options available.
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What happens
when I go for a free hearing test?
The initial consultation and test is quick and easy
and your results are available immediately. This consultation
is intended to be an informative, helpful and stress-free meeting
with your hearing aid audiologist. He or she will ask you about the
history of your hearing loss, explore when and where you have most
difficulty with your hearing and the type of situations that your
hearing aids will need to cope with. The hearing aid audiologist
will examine your ears and carry out full audiometric tests. Based
on the information you provide and the test results, he will be
able to recommend whether hearing aids will help you and the most
appropriate ones to improve your hearing.
During the test you will be in an acoustically controlled
consultation room with the hearing aid audiologist who will check
the health of your outer ear and, if they are healthy, he will
continue to conduct a comprehensive hearing test. He, or she, will
place a pair of head phones on your ears, ensuring you are
comfortable, and will play a series of tones to you at different
pitches through the headphones. The hearing aid audiologist will
ask you to respond to the sounds you hear by pressing a button and
he will plot these on a chart called an audiogram. This will tell
us if there has been any damage to your hearing and, if so, which
part of the ear is damaged and to what extent.
The hearing aid audiologist will then discuss with you the best
options available. You will also have the opportunity
to experience how hearing aids look, feel and sound.
This part of the consultation will give you a real
understanding of just how much sound you have been missing and the
potential benefits to wearing hearing aids.
Also see What happens during
your free hearing test?
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How long does a
hearing test last?
Due to the thoroughness of the test and the complexity of
your hearing system, the full consultation usually takes up to one
and a half hours.
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Does somebody
need to attend the hearing test with me?
We recommend somebody attends with you because:
- A loved one may assist us in understanding the situations where
you experience hearing difficulties
- Some people find it more comfortable to have a family member or
a friend with a familiar voice with them
- Hearing a familiar voice can often demonstrate the
difference a hearing aid may make to you
- During your assessment your hearing aid audiologist will give
you a great deal of information and discuss with you the best
hearing aid for your hearing loss and lifestyle - having someone
with you can help you to remember all this detail afterwards.
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What
if nobody can attend an appointment with me?
While it is beneficial for someone to attend with you, please
don't worry if there isn't anyone available. You can still
come for a hearing test and we will explain the results and
discuss the options with you.
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Who conducts the hearing
test?
Your hearing test will always be carried out by one of our fully
qualified hearing aid
audiologists.
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How soon could I
get a hearing test appointment?
We would expect that you could get an appointment at your local
branch within a matter of days. If you have any difficulty
obtaining an appointment please email us or call us on 0800
44 33 44, and we will help you find an appointment to suit
you at a branch near to you.
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Where is my nearest
branch?
Click here to
find your local branch
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Could you come to my
home?
If mobility is a problem, we offer a home visit service where
one of our qualified hearing aid audiologists will visit you to
test and assess your hearing.
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How much does a
hearing test cost?
Our comprehensive hearing test is completely free and
without obligation.
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How much do hearing aids
cost?
We offer a wide range of hearing aids from the world's leading
manufacturers at prices to suit everyone's budget. The cost of a
hearing aid depends mainly on the type of hearing loss you have and
the variety of different situations that your hearing aid will need
to cope with. The more varied the situations and lifestyles, the
more sophisticated the hearing aid's technology needs to be. At
your hearing test we will advise you on the various options
available to you and the most appropriate level of technology
required for your individual hearing loss and lifestyle.
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Do you
offer any support once I've purchased my hearing aids from
you?
Amplifon's free Lifetime Aftercare programme looks after your
hearing and your hearing aids for life. This unrivalled
programme of support includes a regular assessment and evaluation
of your hearing, expert help and advice and demonstrations of new
hearing aid technology to ensure you continue to get the most out
of your hearing.
Once your hearing aids have been fitted, your hearing aid audiologist
will arrange your programme of free Lifetime Aftercare to make
sure you are getting the maximum benefit from your aids and that
they continue to work at maximum efficiency. The hearing aid
audiologist will also advise you on how to take daily care of your
hearing aids to maintain their performance and what to do when
batteries need replacing.
During your regular six monthly Aftercare appointments, we offer
expert help and advice, new technology demonstrations and a 5 Star
Service check which includes:
- Cleaning or replacing tubing and adjusting your hearing
aid contacts
- Cleaning the hearing aid casing and microphone duct
- Checking for acoustic feedback
- Checking your hearing aid performance
- A free pack of hearing aid batteries
We will also assess your hearing on a regular basis to monitor
changes in your hearing aid to ensure your hearing aids continue to
give you the best possible hearing improvement.
Also see Free
Lifetime Aftercare
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Why
should I come to Amplifon rather than the NHS or another
company?
Amplifon offers a wide choice of hearing aids in many styles
with the latest technology to suit your every requirement. This
includes customised In the ear hearing aids where nothing is worn
behind the ear. These types of hearing aids are not typically
available within the NHS and, where appropriate, are often
preferred by hearing aid users for their more discreet
appearance.
We also offer an unrivalled Aftercare programme that
includes a regular assessment and evaluation of your hearing,
expert help and advice, new technology demonstrations and a 5-Star
Service Checks. So you know you are in very safe hands.
We recommend that you come back every six months for your
Aftercare appointments so we can adjust your hearing aids to ensure
they continue to provide you with the most effective and
comfortable hearing experience.
You can also arrange an appointment to see a qualified hearing
aid audiologist at your local branch between your Aftercare
appointments and at a time to suit you should you have any
concerns.
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Our
Price Promise
Because we want you to be completely satisfied we guarantee
you won't buy cheaper anywhere else. We offer a wide range of
hearing aids using the latest technology to suit your hearing
requirements, your lifestyle and your budget and our hearing
aid audiologists will be happy to discuss and advise on the right
hearing aid for you.
Also see Our Price
Promise
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What guarantee should
I expect when buying private hearing aids?
To ensure your peace of mind, when you buy a hearing aid from
Amplifon, you not only receive a manufacture's warrenty but
we also give you a year's guarantee.
The National Hearing Aid Guarantee Scheme covers your
hearing aids against:
- Accidental loss or damage
- Repairs
- Faults due to wax or moisture
- Ear moulds
- Receivers
- Malfunction and breakdown for one year from the date of
purchase
After the first year you can extend the warranty for up to four
years if you wish, for an additional cost. Most other companies
only offer a manufacturer's warranty that covers
manufacturer's faults with the hearing aid but Amplifon's
cover offers these extra benefits including accidental damage
and loss - at no charge.
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How long
does it take to get my hearing aid?
Normally non-customised hearing aids are fitted within one week
and custom aids are fitted within two weeks of your hearing test.
All our hearing aids are selected and programmed individually to
meet your specific hearing requirements and this can take between
one to two weeks dependent upon the type of hearing aids.
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How can I keep my ears
healthy?
- Never poke anything into your ears. The lining of the ear is
delicate and can easily be damaged.
- To keep ears clean, wash the visible part of the ear and behind
the ear using a little soap. Then wipe the soap away with rinsed
fingers and dry with a thin towel.
- Don't use cotton buds to clean ears. They can irritate the ear
canal and push wax back inside, making it more difficult to
remove.
- Don't immerse ears in bath water as body bacteria may enter
your ear canal and could cause an infection.
- A drop of medicinal olive oil inserted into each ear once a
week for people with dry, flaky skin helps to lubricate both the
skin and any earwax, encouraging natural movement of wax out of the
ear.
- Don't ignore ear problems; they won't improve without proper
treatment. The longer an ear problem is neglected, the longer it
may take to treat.
- If you experience any loss of hearing, whatever the possible
cause, get it checked. We offer a comprehensive hearing assessment
and expert advice completely free of charge.
- Use earplugs to protect ears from dust and loud noise. There
has even been some research to suggest that antioxidants such as
vitamins C and E and betacarotene, supplements that contain
magnesium, or even a glass or two of red wine from time to time,
help to minimise noise-induced hearing loss.
Also see
Hearing aids - your
questions answered
Protect your hearing
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