No. 9, The Shrubberies
George Lane
South Woodford, London
E18 1BD
Hearing assessments
Hearing assessments by a fully qualified Audiologist, with longstanding expertise in diagnosis of hearing disorders
Full hearing assessment conducted
A hearing test alone will not provide enough information on your hearing health – so we conduct assessments on all parts of the ear (outer, middle and inner ear) to fully assess your hearing health. If required, speech testing can be conducted to assess your hearing pathways to the brain
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There are about 11 million people in the UK with hearing loss (1 in 6). This is expected to increase to 15.6 million by 2035.
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On average people struggle with their hearing for about 10 years before seeking help.
These facts are bewildering because for many years, research has proven that hearing loss leads to impaired communication, impaired social engagement, social isolation, depression and dementia.
Why should you test your hearing?
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Hearing loss just like other major chronic conditions, is greatly determined by social, nutritional and health factors, including genetic susceptibility. What was once deemed to be the inevitable effects of aging, hearing difficulties may in fact, in part, be due to an accumulation of lifestyle and health factors. A fully qualified audiologist can conduct an assessment and provide information about your individual hearing
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Having a ‘baseline’ hearing test early on in life (18-20 years of age) provides an Audiologist with a frame of reference for your hearing tests later in life and equips Audiologists to offer personalised advice on your ear care
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Modern daily living is increasing our exposure to noise. A hearing test can detect early signs of noise damage and help prevent further hearing impairment
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Hearing loss may be an early warning sign or red flag for other health conditions
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Research has proven that if you treat your hearing loss (with hearing devices) you reduce the risk of developing dementia
Who should have their hearing assessed?
The answer is simple – everyone.
How often should you test your hearing?
Hearing loss occurs gradually, so it may take you quite a few years to notice that you have a hearing loss. Regular hearing tests can identify your hearing difficulties early on so that you can either prevent any further hearing loss or treat the hearing difficulty and reduce the risk of other health related conditions.
Many say that you should have your hearing tested annually or bi-annually. However, how often you should test your hearing will depend on your individual health, nutritional, social and genetic factors. Once you have a baseline test or once you have your first hearing test, an Audiologist will recommend your personalised ear care plan.
Hearing screening
At The Art of Hearing we can do a shorter version of a hearing test (PTA) to get a brief overview of your hearing difficulty. A full hearing assessment can then be prescribed based on the outcome of the screening test.
Full hearing assessment
Exploring your hearing difficulties is the first step in the process to effective, holistic and personalised ear care. At The Art of Hearing we commit to conducting a comprehensive assessment of your hearing taking into account your individual needs including your physical and mental well-being, and your work, hobby and social environments
Please note: Online tests are available which provide a quick answer, however these should not be relied on to purchase hearing devices. There are many factors that can influence online hearing test results (wax in your ear, quality of your speakers, quality of the sound, noise in the environment, etc.), these results should therefore always be treated with caution. If any online tests reveal a hearing difficulty, please ensure you book an appointment with a fully qualified Audiologist to determine the precise profile of your hearing ability.
It is crucial to choose a trusted independent practice and ensure you are seen by a fully qualified audiologist. This is so your individual medical and physical well-being; your family, work, hobby and social environments and your technology preferences are all considered during your hearing assessment.
This will enable the audiologist to work with you to choose the best hearing device for you.
Which? surveyed more than 3100 individuals, about their experiences of buying and wearing hearing devices. Questions focused on experience with customer care, quality of hearing tests, the product range available, suitability of the device and overall price.
The Which? ® report shows that independent clinics were rated consistently higher than any other Hearcare retailers including: Boots, Specsavers, Hidden Hearing, Amplifon and Scrivens. Local Independent Audiologists like The Art of Hearing, rated the highest score of 87%!
**Table notes: Scores based on online survey conducted in April 2018 of 3183 Which? members. Customer score is combination of overall satisfaction and likelihood that the person would recommend the provide to a friend. Star Ratings: Staff is based on professionalism and knowledge of staff; Testing is based on thoroughness of examination and testing; Product Rage is based on the rage of hearing aids offered; Hearing aid suitability rates the suitability of the hearing device for individual needs
Types and styles of hearing devices
At The Art of Hearing, we understand that hearing difficulties are unique to you! Hearing difficulties affect not only you, but those around you and is intricately linked to your individual lifestyle (work and social lifestyle, hobbies, personal attributes, etc.) and individual health factors (personal nutrition, medical conditions, general health and genetic susceptibility).
So, we commit to working with you (and your family as required) and will consider your technology preferences to make recommendations for hearing devices that suit your individual needs and budgets.
At The Art of Hearing we offer the full range of behind-the-ear and in-the-ear hearing devices with a choice from the world’s leading hearing device manufacturers. We offer the following range of devices:
Supreme
£££
Hearing devices with the most advanced technology, artificial intelligence, rechargeable batteries, connectivity to other smart devices and supreme sound quality in all environments
Superior
££
Hearing devices for those who prefer to focus on superior sound quality and less on connectivity and technology
Superb
£
Hearing devices for those who feel they don't need the very latest technology, but still want a hearing device that's great value with superb quality of hearing in daily life
Phonak Hearing Devices
Founded in Switzerland in 1947 and has since been committed to changing lives through the development, production, and distribution of cutting-edge hearing solutions.
Phonak Mission: “We believe in changing lives and creating a world where life is for everyone. We are passionate about creating hearing solutions that change people’s lives to thrive socially and emotionally.”
Phonak Values: Passionate, Engaging, Pioneering
Oticon Hearing Devices
This Danish company was founded in 1904 by Hans Demant, whose wife suffered from hearing loss, Oticon was built on care and empathy from the very beginning.
Oticon Mission: To help people with hearing loss fulfil their potential while living the life they choose - with the hearing they have.
Oticon Promise: “That everything we do always begins with the people we are doing it for. We are not simply trying to help you hear more, but to live more.”
Oticon Commitment: People insight, Innovation, Empowering people
Bernafon Hearing Devices
Founded in 1946 by Hans Gfeller in Switzerland.
Bernafon Purpose: “Together we empower people to hear and communicate better
Our brand purpose is the cornerstone of our business strategy and our commitment to the difference we aspire to make in the world – it’s both our starting point and our destination.”
Bernafon commitment: “We commit to the difference we aspire to make in the world with high-performance products, leading technology, and outstanding support. Bernafon audiologists and product specialists at our headquarters define innovative functionality for our hearing aids, fitting software, apps, and connectivity devices.”
Starkey Hearing Devices
This American company was founded in 1967 by William F. Austin with the simple premise, "Alone we can't do much. Together, we can change the world." Austin built the organization on his vision—So the World May Hear.
Starkey Hearing Technology Mission: “To bring people together and make lives richer by empowering individuals to reach their full potential in life. We are in the business of connecting people and changing lives. We believe being able to hear the world and the people around us is as essential to the human experience as breathing.”
Starkey Hearing Foundation: “We believe hearing is a vehicle to reflect caring and to improve the lives of individuals, their families, and communities. Starkey Hearing Foundation’s mission is to give the gift of hearing to those in need, empowering them to achieve their potential. By collaborating with governments, nongovernment organizations, and health leaders, our goal is to make hearing healthcare services more accessible for people around the world.”
ReSound GN Hearing Devices
Part of the GN Group, this Danish company has since 1943 improved the quality of life for people with hearing loss, their families and friends.
ReSound GN Mission: “ReSound constantly strives to develop better solutions that help people rediscover hearing so they can live rich, active and fulfilling lives.”
ReSound GN Challenge: “We strive to be experts in Audiology and hearing solutions, and combined with a strong focus in research and development, we empower you to hear more, do more and be more than you ever thought possible.”
Widex Hearing Devices
Widex is a family owned company founded in Denmark in 1956
Widex Mission: “To provide the absolute best hearing aids and customer services. We offer the most advanced, natural sound on the market. Our products let people connect and communicate easily. Helping people hear is our business.”
Widex values: Customers first, Pioneers, Reliable
Access to Work
Access to Work is a government funded scheme that helps people with a hearing difficulty to have equal access to workplaces.
This scheme can help you if your hearing difficulty affects the way you do your job. It offers you and your employer advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of your needs. As a first step employers are required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to ensure you are not substantially disadvantaged when doing your job
The Art of Hearing can provide you with a hearing healthcare report with which Access to Work can use, to help you obtain hearing devices or equipment to suit your employment needs.
For more information visit the official gov.uk website.
Please call or email for an appointment
Email:
Phone:
(w) 0208 989 0881
(m) 0794 686 1929
Location:
No. 9, The Shrubberies,
George Lane,
South Woodford, London
E18 1BD
Visits by appointment only
Directions: (open in maps)