Hearing Aids: When do I need a hearing aid?
It is quite normal as one grows older, to experience some form of hearing loss. It is usually the high frequency sounds that deteriorate first. In speech, this affects the consonant sounds. So typically what happens is one hears the vowel sounds, so that the listener knows that someone is speaking to them, but the speech is unclear. It is the consonants that give clarity to speech, and when missing or reduced makes speech sound muffled. The listener may say “stop mumbling”, or “speak clearly”, when in actual fact it’s their hearing that’s letting them down.
Treating hearing loss correctly can reduce your dementia risk profile by 48%
At Ears to You, this forms the core of our mission. We work holistically to preserve hearing, communication, and—most importantly—quality of life.
There is no premium fee to use our services. We care for you like family and offer a truly bespoke experience with expert audiology care without charging extra for that level of attention. All of our clinicians have also completed additional training focused specifically on the link between hearing loss and dementia, ensuring more informed and specialised support, all provided at a convenient location to you.
Why is it important to do something about hearing loss?
Hearing loss can cause a person to become isolated and depressed. When you hear well, you feel more connected with people; communication improves, people don’t have to repeat things for you and in some cases where the person has become isolated, one will have the confidence to join in on the conversation. This is where we come in – hearing aids are a speciality medical device which is individually programmed for the intended user. In order to know what levels to set the hearing aids to, a hearing test is performed.
So what is involved in a hearing test?
A hearing test comprises of a few separate steps.
Ear Examination
We inspect the ears for wax build-up or any visible ear pathologies. This allows us to identify any obstruction or medical concern that may affect your hearing results.
If excessive wax or another condition is detected, we will explain the findings and recommend the appropriate next steps before continuing with testing. Ensuring the ear canal is clear helps us obtain the most accurate assessment possible.
Hearing Assessment
Headphones are placed over your ears and a series of beeps are presented at different pitches and volumes. Each time you hear a sound, you simply press a button to acknowledge it.
Every tone is repeated to confirm accuracy before moving on to the next frequency. These responses allow us to map your hearing levels precisely and determine whether hearing aids or other solutions may be beneficial.
Understanding Your Hearing Loss
The final step in the testing procedure is to determine the type of hearing loss. Hearing loss is generally classified into three categories:
Sensorineural – A permanent type of hearing loss that typically affects the inner ear or cochlea. Management may include hearing aids or, in more severe cases, a cochlear implant.
Conductive – Often caused by blockage or middle ear issues and may improve with medical treatment.
Mixed – A combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss, which may require both medical management and hearing support solutions.
So what is involved in a hearing test?
We inspect the ears for wax or any ear pathologies
Headphones are placed over the ears and a series of beeps are presented. It is your job to acknowledge when you hear the sound by pressing a button. Each tone is triple checked before moving on to the next sound. These beeps help to formulate the appropriate prescription for hearing aids if they are needed.
The third and final step in the testing procedure is to ascertain the type of hearing loss as hearing loss is broken down in to 3 types:
Sensorineural – This type of hearing loss is one that cannot be recovered – typically affects the cochlea and is a permanent hearing loss. The most effective remedy would be hearing aids, or in the case of a profound hearing loss, a cochlear implant.
Conductive – This type of hearing loss is one that can possibly be recovered with medical intervention.
Mixed – quite simply a mixture of the above two. With conductive and mixed losses the patient is often referred on for further medical treatment.
We inspect the ears for wax or any ear pathologies
Headphones are placed over the ears and a series of beeps are presented. It is your job to acknowledge when you hear the sound by pressing a button. Each tone is triple checked before moving on to the next sound. These beeps help to formulate the appropriate prescription for hearing aids if they are needed.
The third and final step in the testing procedure is to ascertain the type of hearing loss as hearing loss is broken down in to 3 types:
Sensorineural – This type of hearing loss is one that cannot be recovered – typically affects the cochlea and is a permanent hearing loss. The most effective remedy would be hearing aids, or in the case of a profound hearing loss, a cochlear implant.
Conductive – This type of hearing loss is one that can possibly be recovered with medical intervention.
Mixed – quite simply a mixture of the above two. With conductive and mixed losses the patient is often referred on for further medical treatment.
Hearing loss is measured by the following descriptions: Mild – Moderate – Severe – Profound
How do hearing aids work?
An audiogram is obtained through a hearing test, which is used as the prescription to set the sound levels for the hearing aids. Each device is customised to suit the person’s specific hearing level as obtained during the test. Follow up appointments are used to fine tune the hearing devices to best suit your comfort and lifestyle needs.
Hearing aids come in a variety of shapes and sizes – our friendly staff can best recommend the most appropriate device upon completion of the testing.
Independent Care Without the Limitations
Many residents already have hearing aids when they enter aged care—but not all devices are easy to support.
Some large retail providers supply hearing aids that are restricted to their own systems. This can limit how easily those devices can be adjusted or serviced by independent clinicians, particularly within an aged care setting.
The result? Residents may be left with hearing aids that aren’t performing as well as they could—simply because access to timely, on-site care is limited.
Ears to You is different.
As an independent provider, we work across a wide range of manufacturers and technologies. Wherever possible, we optimise and service existing devices on-site. And when that’s not possible, we provide clear, practical guidance on the best next steps—without locking residents into a single brand or provider.
It’s about giving residents flexibility, continuity of care, and hearing solutions that actually work in the real world.
Product Range
Want To Speak To A Hearing Aid Specialist?
If you are concerned about your hearing or unsure of which hearing aid would suit you best, speak to one of our expert clinicians. We are dedicated to providing you with the best hearing care solutions.