An audiologist checks your hearing and ear health, explains what might be causing your symptoms, and recommends the right next steps (such as hearing support, tinnitus care, wax removal, or referral if needed).
Hearing Test in London
If you’re finding it harder to hear clearly, struggling in noisy places, hearing ringing or buzzing (tinnitus), or your ear feels blocked, you’re not alone. A hearing test can help you understand what’s going on and what to do next.
Why people book a hearing test
Most people don’t book a hearing test “just because”. It usually starts with small moments, like:
Saying “sorry?” more often
You find yourself asking people to repeat themselves, especially when there’s background noise.
Catching the topic, but missing the details
You understand the general conversation, but you miss key words — especially in groups.
Busy places feel too hard work
Restaurants or meetings feel tiring because you’re concentrating so much to follow what’s being said.
Mixing up words or numbers
You hear something like “fifteen” when they said “fifty” — because parts of speech sound similar.
Turning the TV up more than before
You increase the volume to hear clearly, and someone else may notice it first.
Early signs of hearing loss
You might benefit from a hearing test if you’ve noticed any of these common signs
Muffled sounds
Speech sounds unclear or “mumbled”, even when people are close by.
Frequent “pardon?” moments
You often ask people to repeat themselves, especially when they speak softly or quickly.
Difficulty in background noise
Busy places like restaurants, meetings, or family gatherings are harder to follow than they used to be.
Phone calls feel harder
You struggle to catch words on calls, or prefer speakerphone or subtitles.
Turning the volume up
You set the TV, radio, or music louder than others find comfortable.
Feeling tired after listening
Conversations leave you feeling drained or stressed because you’re concentrating so hard to hear.
What is a hearing test?
A hearing test is a simple check of how well you’re hearing. It helps us understand:
How clearly you hear different sounds and speech
Whether both ears are hearing the same
Whether your middle ear is working normally
What support or next steps could help
The most common hearing tests
You may hear a few technical names. Don’t worry—we’ll explain everything as we go. Here’s what they mean:
Tone test (pure tone audiometry)
Checks the quietest sounds you can hear
Speech test
Checks how clearly you understand words
Eardrum check (tympanometry)
Checks how your eardrum and middle ear are working
Other tests (only if needed)
Chosen based on your symptoms to give a clearer picture
Blocked ears and earwax microsuction (earwax removal)
Earwax is normal and helps protect your ears. But if it builds up and becomes stuck, it can block the ear canal and make hearing feel muffled, uneven, or “full”. For many people, a blocked-ear feeling is simply earwax — and it can often be treated quickly once we’ve checked your ears.
What is earwax microsuction?
Microsuction is a common method of earwax removal where a clinician uses a small suction device while looking into the ear with magnification, so they can see the ear canal clearly during the procedure. It’s a precise method and does not use water.
Common signs of earwax build-up
You may have earwax build-up if you notice:
A blocked or full feeling in the ear
Like your ear is “plugged” or under pressure.
Muffled hearing (often worse on one side)
Sounds feel quieter or less clear than usual.
Ringing or buzzing (tinnitus)
Some people notice tinnitus that improves once the ear is cleared.
Itching or discomfort
The ear canal may feel irritated or sore.
Dizziness (sometimes)
In some cases, a blockage can be linked with dizziness.
Feeling tired after listening
Conversations leave you feeling drained or stressed because you’re concentrating so hard to hear.
Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in the ears)
Tinnitus is when you hear a sound even though there’s no sound around you. People describe it in different ways, including:
Ringing
Buzzing
Humming
Clicking
Pulsing or whooshing
Why tinnitus can feel so stressful?
Tinnitus often feels more noticeable when:
Tinnitus often feels more noticeable when:
You’re tired
You’re stressed
It’s quiet (especially at night)
You’re focusing on it
Tinnitus support
The aim of tinnitus support is to help you feel more in control.
Many people feel better once they:
Understand what tinnitus is
Check their hearing and ear health (including wax)
Learn coping strategies and simple sound tips
Can tinnitus be cured?
Tinnitus care usually focuses on managing symptoms and reducing impact, rather than promising a cure.
Dizziness and balance problems
If you feel dizzy, unsteady, or like the room is spinning, your inner ear may be involved (it helps control balance). You might notice:
Spinning sensations (vertigo)
Feeling unsteady when walking
Dizziness triggered by moving your head
Changes in your hearing
The main types of hearing loss
A hearing test can help identify what kind of hearing loss you have. There are three common types:
When to seek urgent medical help
Some ear and hearing symptoms need urgent medical advice. Please seek help quickly if you have:
Sudden hearing loss (in one or both ears)
If your hearing suddenly drops or disappears, it should be treated as urgent and checked as soon as possible.
Severe dizziness with neurological symptoms
For example: facial weakness, confusion, a severe headache, weakness, or numbness.
Severe ear pain with a high fever or feeling very unwell
Or swelling around the ear, or significant discharge.
FAQs
Book if you have muffled hearing, trouble following conversations (especially in noise), ringing/buzzing in your ears, blocked ears, or ongoing dizziness/balance issues.
Common signs include asking people to repeat themselves, turning the TV up, struggling in noisy places, and feeling tired after conversations.
You’ll discuss your symptoms, your ears may be checked, and you’ll do listening tests to measure how you hear tones and speech. Then you’ll get a clear explanation of the results and next steps.
Many appointments take 30–60 minutes, depending on your symptoms and which tests are needed.
Yes. A build-up of earwax can block the ear canal and cause temporary reduced hearing, a blocked feeling, and sometimes tinnitus.
A blocked or full feeling, muffled hearing, discomfort, itching, and sometimes ringing/noises in the ear.
Yes — microsuction is widely considered a safe, precise way to remove ear wax when it’s performed by a trained clinician after checking your ear first. It’s often described as a “gold standard” option because it allows controlled removal under direct vision
Tinnitus is hearing a sound (like ringing, buzzing, or whooshing) when there’s no external sound source.
Tinnitus can be linked to hearing loss, noise exposure, earwax build-up, stress, or some health conditions and medicines. A hearing test helps check for contributing factors.
Tinnitus care usually focuses on management (reducing impact and distress) rather than promising a cure. Many people feel better with the right assessment and support plan.
Seek urgent medical advice if you have sudden hearing loss, severe dizziness with neurological symptoms (weakness, facial droop, confusion), severe ear pain with fever, or significant swelling/discharge.
Yes. Earwax can build up and block the ear canal, which may cause a blocked or full feeling, muffled hearing, and sometimes ringing/buzzing (tinnitus). A quick ear check can confirm whether wax is the main cause.
Earwax microsuction is a method of earwax removal where a clinician uses a gentle suction device while looking into the ear with magnification, so the ear canal can be seen clearly during the procedure. Microsuction does not use water and is commonly used in clinic settings.
If you can, using wax-softening drops or olive oil spray for a few days before your appointment can help make wax easier to remove. If your ear is very painful, discharging, or you suspect an infection, it’s best to get advice before using drops.