Five Signs It Might Be Time for a Hearing Test

Toby Meadows — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 09:47:14 +0000

Toby Meadows, Audiologist & Principal

Earlier this year I joined John Darvell on BBC Radio Bristol to talk about hearing loss, and one thing came up again and again. Most people do not realise their hearing has changed until somebody else points it out. It creeps up so gradually that by the time it is noticeable, it has usually been happening for a while. So rather than waiting for someone else to say something, here are five everyday signs worth paying attention to yourself.

1. You keep asking people to repeat themselves

It happens occasionally to everyone, but if it is becoming a regular feature of conversations, particularly with the same one or two people, that is worth noticing. It is often not that people are speaking too quietly, it is that certain sounds are becoming harder to pick out.

2. The television volume keeps creeping up, but people still sound like they are mumbling

Turning up the volume does not always help, because most age related hearing loss affects the higher frequencies first, the consonant sounds like S, T, F and SH that make speech easy to follow. Turn the volume up and everything gets louder, but it does not necessarily get clearer.

3. You are avoiding noisy places

Restaurants and cafes, even family gatherings can be noisy. If you have started quietly steering away from busier environments because following conversation there feels tiring or frustrating, that is a pattern worth paying attention to rather than working around.

4. Someone close to you has mentioned it

This is usually the moment people finally book in, and there is no shame in it. Partners, children and friends often notice before we do ourselves, simply because they are the ones repeating things. If it has come up more than once, it is worth listening.

5. It has been a while since your last check

Hearing changes gradually, so a hearing check every few years is a sensible habit, in the same way you would get your eyes tested. If you cannot remember your last one, that is usually a sign it is due.

What to do next

None of these signs mean there is necessarily a problem, but they are all good reasons to get checked. We offer a straightforward hearing screening at all our clinics, and I have written a separate guide explaining exactly what a screening involves and how it differs from a full assessment, if you would like to read more before booking.

Call us on 01934 248426 to arrange a screening, or drop in to our Worle clinic where walk-ins are welcome daily.

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The post Five Signs It Might Be Time for a Hearing Test appeared first on Meadows+Wood Hearing Care.

Hearing Screening vs Hearing Assessment, What’s the Difference?

Toby Meadows — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:55:17 +0000

By Toby Meadows, Audiologist & Principal

After my chat with John Darvell on BBC Radio Bristol earlier this year, a few people asked us what the difference is between a hearing screening and a full hearing assessment. The two terms get used almost interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Here is what you actually need to know.

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.