Hearing Assessment in London
Our Hearing Assessment in London goes beyond standard pure tone audiometry. Following a visual examination of your ear, ear canal and eardrum, we perform a comprehensive and holistics set of tests — including speech-in-noise, speech sensitivity and cognitive function testing where indicated — to build a complete picture of your hearing health.
The hearing sensitivity test
Pure Tone Audiometry is the gold standard test for measuring hearing sensitivity. It determines the type and degree of hearing loss across a range of frequencies.
During the test, you will wear headphones through which tones are presented at different pitches and volumes — one ear at a time. You indicate each time you hear a tone, no matter how faint. The quietest level at which you can detect each tone is recorded on an audiogram, giving us a precise map of your hearing thresholds.
Functional brain hearing tests
Pure Tone Audiometry measures what you can hear — but not how well you understand speech in real life. At Clearly Hearing, we routinely go further.
Speech audiometry assesses your ability to discriminate speech rather than just detect tones. This provides a more accurate picture of your functional hearing and carries additional diagnostic value, indicating where in the auditory system any difficulty lies.
Speech-in-noise testing measures your ability to follow speech in background noise, simulating real-world listening environments such as restaurants, social gatherings and busy workplaces.
Together, these tests give a far more meaningful assessment of how your hearing performs in daily life — not just in a quiet test booth.
Hearing Therapy / Whole Person Model
At Clearly Hearing, we recognise that hearing loss rarely exists in isolation. People with audiological difficulties such as tinnitus, hyperacusis or hearing loss are at increased risk of fatigue, anxiety, social withdrawal and cognitive decline. Addressing the hearing threshold alone is not always sufficient.
The conventional model of hearing healthcare focuses primarily on the audiogram — treating reduced hearing sensitivity as the central problem to be solved. This approach gives limited consideration to cognitive function, emotional wellbeing, communication relationships or a person’s readiness to engage with treatment.
Our clinicians take a whole-person approach. Alongside audiological assessment and hearing aid technology where appropriate, we integrate the following into care:
— Cognitive assessment and education
— Cognitive and working memory training
— Lifestyle coaching
— Psychological support
— Mindfulness-based hearing health programmes
This model allows us to provide support that is genuinely individualised — addressing not just what you hear, but how you live.
Ask the Audiologists — FAQ
How is hearing loss tested?
We identify the quietest sound audible at each frequency in each ear, presenting tones in a structured, methodical sequence. Results are recorded on an audiogram to map hearing thresholds across the speech frequency range.
What level of hearing loss constitutes deafness?
In the UK, a hearing loss is defined as the quietest audible sound exceeding 20dB at four frequencies between 500Hz and 4000Hz. That said, some individuals who fall outside this threshold still notice meaningful changes in their hearing and can benefit from audiological support.
How do you distinguish between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss?
We test hearing through both air conduction (headphones over the ears) and bone conduction (a vibrator placed behind the ear). A difference of more than 5dB between the two results indicates a possible conductive component to the hearing loss.
How do you decide which tests to recommend?
We begin with a full case history and otoscopic examination of the ear. In the absence of any contraindications, we proceed with Pure Tone Audiometry as the baseline assessment, adding further tests based on clinical findings and the patient’s presenting concerns.
What are some less commonly known causes of hearing loss?
Cardiovascular disease can contribute to hearing loss, as restricted blood flow to the cochlea may cause permanent damage. In some cases, a sudden or progressive hearing loss is the first indicator of an underlying cardiovascular problem.
