What is a hearing screening?

A hearing screening is a shorter test that checks your hearing across a targeted range of frequencies. We focus on the mid-range and the higher frequencies, because age-related hearing loss almost always starts there. The hair cells inside the cochlea that detect high frequency sounds are the first to wear away over time, which is why people with gradual hearing loss often stop noticing certain sounds. Birdsong is a classic example. It disappears so gradually that many people do not realise it has gone.

A hearing screening gives us a clear picture of whether your hearing is within the expected range, whether you are showing signs of early loss, and what the next step should be. It does not take long, and it does not require any preparation on your part.

What is a hearing assessment?

A full hearing assessment maps your hearing across a much wider range of frequencies, around eight more data points than a screening. This gives us the detailed, accurate audiogram we need to programme hearing aids precisely to your individual hearing profile. If a screening suggests you could benefit from hearing aids, or if you have already decided you would like to explore that option, a full assessment is the logical next step.

The assessment takes a little longer than a screening, and the results are more detailed. We will go through the audiogram with you and explain clearly what it shows.

How does the process work in practice?

For most new patients, we start with a screening. If the results indicate a loss and you would like to explore your options with us, we book you in for a full assessment. If the screening suggests your hearing is within normal limits but you have specific concerns, tinnitus for instance, or difficulty hearing in noisy environments, we will discuss what to do next at that point.

Some patients whose screening results suggest a loss prefer to go through the NHS route rather than the private route. That is absolutely fine. We can send your audiogram to your GP for an NHS adult audiology referral. Our job is to make sure you end up in the right place for you.

What about a free trial?

One thing I often suggest, particularly for patients who are not sure whether hearing aids would make a meaningful difference, is our 14-day free trial. It is difficult to know what you have been missing until you hear it. A trial period gives people a chance to experience the difference in their own environment, in their own life, before making any commitment. In my experience, most people who try hearing aids are genuinely surprised by how much they had been filtering out.

The most common thing patients say after their first trial? That they can hear the birds again.

Who should come in?

If you caught my conversation with John Darvell on BBC Radio Bristol, you will remember we talked about how many people do not realise their hearing has changed until someone else points it out. If you have noticed you are asking people to repeat themselves, finding it harder to follow conversations in noisy places, or if someone close to you has suggested your hearing might have changed, it is worth getting checked. A screening is a sensible first step, and there is no obligation beyond that.

We offer hearing screenings and full assessments across all our clinics in Worle, Weston-super-Mare, Portishead, Shirehampton and Clevedon. Walk-ins are welcome at our Worle clinic daily. For all other locations, give us a call on 01934 248426 to book an appointment.

In this lively interview John kicked things off with a question most of us have either asked or been asked: why is the television always so loud? From there, Toby and John range across everything from how hearing loss actually works to why the solution is rarely as simple as turning up the volume.

One of the things Toby explains really clearly is why so many people feel that everyone around them has started mumbling. It comes down to the difference between volume and clarity. The sounds that fade first with age-related hearing loss are the high-frequency consonants, the S, T, F and SH sounds that give words their shape. If you want to understand more about what’s actually happening when hearing changes with age, our article on age-related hearing loss is a good place to start.

Toby and John also talk about the way untreated hearing loss can lead people to quietly withdraw from situations they find difficult. It might seem like a small thing, but the knock-on effects can be significant. If you’d like to read more about the wider health connections Toby touches on in the interview, including the link with cognitive health, this article goes into it in more depth.

There’s also a really reassuring section on modern hearing aids, and how far the technology has come from the devices people might remember from years ago. If the thought of hearing aids still feels like a big step, our article on breaking the stigma might change your mind.

Most of all, this is a conversation that makes the whole subject feel very approachable, and Toby’s experience really comes through.

If anything in the interview resonates with you or someone you care about, the most useful thing you can do is book a hearing assessment. It’s straightforward, there’s no pressure, and it gives you a clear picture of where your hearing is today. Get in touch with the team at Meadows & Wood to arrange yours. Call us on 01934 248426, we are here to help.

Why does hearing loss increase falls risk?

There are three well-established reasons for this connection.

• Environmental awareness. Sound gives us a constant stream of information about our surroundings. The crunch of gravel underfoot, the echo of a hard floor, the background noise that tells us a space is crowded. When hearing is reduced, we lose much of that spatial information, often without realising it.
• Spatial awareness. Hearing plays a significant role in our sense of where our body is in relation to the world around us. Reduced hearing can subtly affect our ability to judge distances and navigate unfamiliar spaces safely.
• Cognitive load. When the brain is working harder to process and interpret sound, it has fewer resources available for other tasks, including maintaining gait and balance. When hearing is treated effectively, that cognitive burden is reduced and the brain is free to manage both tasks well.

What this means in practice

At Meadows & Wood, our assessments go beyond a straightforward hearing test. It’s something patients often tell us they hadn’t expected, but are glad we asked.

If a hearing assessment identifies a loss that can be addressed with hearing aids, the benefits extend well beyond clearer conversations. Improved spatial awareness, reduced cognitive load and a significantly lower falls risk are all part of the picture.

Taking the first step

If you’ve experienced unexplained dizziness, had a fall, or have been putting off addressing changes in your hearing, we’d encourage you to book a consultation with our team. Our clinics in Weston-super-Mare, Portishead, Shirehampton and Clevedon are available by appointment, and our Worle clinic welcomes walk-in visitors too.

Call us on 01934 248426, we are here to help.