*This is a paid collaboration with Leightons

Did you know that our hearing can start to deteriorate as early as from aged 25? Like sight tests, regular hearing tests are essential so that any deterioration in hearing loss can be detected early on and managed.

Leightons, who specialise in optometrist and hearing care, recently got in touch and offered me a comprehensive hearing assessment. As a bit of background, I have been suffering from tinnitus and slight hearing loss in my left ear over the last few years. Both have gradually gotten worse, so I was keen to have Leightons carry out their hearing assessment to get a second opinion.

Arriving at Leightons

On arrival in the store, I was greeted by a friendly receptionist who took my details and asked me to take a seat in the waiting area. Before long, Camilla the audiologist I was seeing came to introduce herself and took me to start my consultation.

I gave her a bit of history, and she asked me a few questions to see if she could pinpoint a particular incident or time that could have triggered the tinnitus and hearing loss. Camilla went on to explain that most of the time, tinnitus is usually a symptom of something else that has occurred. It could be the result of suffering from a nasty ear infection or illness or be due to hearing loss.

The Hearing Assessment process

She explained how the hearing assessment process would work and told me that she would be breaking the ear down into three sections to assess by running a series of tests to determine how good my hearing was.

Camilla started by examining the outer ear (the ear canals), to check the health of it, she noticed that my ear canals were a little dry and asked if they felt itchy from time to time – which they do. She suggested using a natural olive oil spray called Earol to help keep them lubricated. Camilla noted that there was no wax build-up and that other than the dryness, the ear canals looked healthy.

Next, she carried out a tympanometry test which checks the condition of the middle ear by inserting a probe into the ear to see how well it responds to pressure. The readings for these came back within the normal range for both ears,

It was then onto the first set of hearing tests. I had to put on some headphones, which would play a variety of beeps in my ear that would vary in volume and pitch. Some were quite high pitched, and others were lower. Every time I heard a beep, I had to click a button. Each ear was tested individually.

The second set of tests were similar to the first, only this time some rushing sounds (a bit like white noise) were played continuously as well as the beeps. Again, I had to click on the button every time I heard a beep.

My results

Once the tests were completed, Camilla brought up the results on her computer screen, which showed what level my hearing was at. She explained that any points above the 20 range on the graph was within the normal range.

As you can see from the photo above, on the whole, my right ear is normal. Your hearing does decrease slightly with age which would explain why a couple these points are in the “mild” hearing loss range.

When you compare this graph to my left ear, you can easily see the difference. There is significant hearing loss in my left ear, and Camilla also showed me how this affects how my brain processes speech. Based on the test, she could tell that without my hearing aid, I would have difficulty with processing the sounds “th, s, k and sp”

This was an eye-opener for me as I had always assumed that the hearing aid was mainly there to help ease my tinnitus. Camilla also went on to inform me that there are different types of hearing aids available that are combined with a sound generator that can help ease tinnitus which I wasn’t aware of. She also suggested looking at some holistic care, mindfulness and relaxation techniques to help with tinnitus too.

As for the hearing loss side of things, she reiterated how important it was to wear my hearing aid every day and to have regular checks so that any further deterioration can be detected and managed.

I am really pleased to have visited Leightons and be seen by Camilla, who was so friendly and informative. Before my issues, I had no idea that hearing tests are offered free of charge.

Leightons also offer a “MyLeightons care plan” which includes everything you need to keep on top of your vision and hearing health for just £12 a month. A family care plan is also available at £20. This option would be ideal for us as both Mr H and I wear glasses and contact lenses and having a plan like this would also mean that I would be reminded to have regular hearing assessments. I am also considering switching my current hearing aid to one of the more high-tech versions that Camilla introduced to me that are rechargeable and are more discreet.