The ear is a remarkably complex instrument. Without even trying, we hear sounds all of the time. Sounds alert us to danger, make us feel a part of the world, help us communicate, learn and enjoy life.
Every person is different, so every experience of hearing loss is different. We want to know how hearing problems affect your life so we can offer you ways to improve your hearing experience. The initial assessment helps us to find out about your hearing needs, so we ask you to complete a questionnaire to bring to your appointment.
Hearing impairment is very common – it is reported in more than one in five South Australian adults. Hearing loss is more frequent with increasing age and in people who have worked in noisy jobs.
You should have a hearing test if:
- You are exposed to noise in your job or recreational activities
- You have tinnitus (noises in the ears or head when there isn’t sound present)
- You have a chronic health condition, e.g. diabetes, heart disease, renal disease, Paget’s disease www.anzbms.org.au
- You have an ear disorder, e.g. repeated ear infections, Meniere’s diseasewww.healthinsite.gov.au
- You have recently undergone chemotherapy
- You have a family history of hearing problems
- You are over 65 years of age
- You, or your family, suspect that you are having trouble hearing
Adelaide Hearing Consultants Audiologists can test the hearing of any adult. Insurance and WorkCover clients need a written referral and eligible pensioners can obtain a voucher from the Australian Government’s ‘Office of Hearing Services’. Other clients DO NOT need a referral, although it is helpful to us to receive information from a health or other professional.
We are accredited to provide subsidised hearing assessments, instruments and devices to eligible pensioners and veterans (conditions apply) and to WorkCover/Insurance clients.
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Middle ear infections are very common in children. They can affect a child’s hearing so they are late learning to speak or they struggle to learn in school.
A child should have a hearing test if:
- They have frequent ear infections www.healthinsite.gov.au
- They have unclear speech or slow language development
- They are distractible or inattentive in the classroom
AHC clinicians can test the hearing of children aged three years and above. You DO NOT need a referral, although it is helpful to us to receive information from a health or other professional. Just call us for an appointment and download and complete the short questionnaire to bring to the appointment (link Child q’aire hearing test).
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