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Diagnostic Audiology 

At Hidden Hearing, we understand the importance of hearing health and the impact hearing loss can have on an individual’s quality of life. Building your knowledge and awareness are key first steps and we are here to help you. Our comprehensive diagnostic services are designed to identify and manage various ear and hearing conditions, ensuring that each patient receives personalised care and effective management plans.

We believe, to obtain the most successful outcomes, a patient centred approach is a must. We can achieve this through open discussions and shared decision making. On meeting your audiologist, together you can discuss your concern and goals as this helps determine the next steps to action for you.

During this discussion, your audiologist will have some questions for you too. This helps them to better understand any prior or current medical and hearing health conditions that will need consideration throughout your journey with us.

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Types of hearing loss

Sensorineural hearing loss

The most common type of hearing loss is called sensorineural hearing loss. It can be caused by damage to tiny hair-like cells in the inner ear or damage to the auditory nerve. Often, this type of hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids.

Conductive hearing loss

This type of hearing loss comes from a mechanical problem in the middle or outer part of the ear. Conductive hearing loss can also be caused by an obstruction of some sort in the canal of the ear, such as earwax preventing sound from getting to the ear drum. It can be treated using hearing aids or other medical options.

Mixed hearing loss

Mixed hearing loss is when both aspects of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss are present.

Types of hearing loss

Hearing loss treatment Book a FREE hearing test

Hearing assessments conducted by our diagnostic audiologists

Otoscopy & Video Otoscopy

Video otoscopy is an advanced test providing a detailed view inside your ear using a video endoscope. This is a non-invasive procedure that allows us to visually examine the condition of your ear canal and eardrum. This procedure helps your clinician to identify any potential problems such as blockages, irritations, infections, or other abnormalities. Followed by manual otoscopy, video otoscopy is an essential tool for accurate diagnosis and determining effective hearing care management.

Tympanometry

Tympanometry is an invaluable objective test for evaluating the functionality of your middle ear. By measuring how your eardrum responds to changing air pressure it forms part of our diagnosis in detecting problems like fluid buildup in the middle ear, eustachian tube dysfunction, or ear drum perforations. Understanding these issues are crucial for our diagnostic evaluation and for addressing hearing loss or discomfort caused by middle ear problems.

Pure Tone Audiometry (air conduction, bone-conduction, with/without masking)

Pure-tone audiometry is a behavioural test used to measure an individual’s hearing threshold level. It is carried out in two parts, firstly using ear inserts (air conduction testing) and secondly using a headband (bone conduction testing)  to measure the softest sounds you can hear over many different frequencies. This test helps to establish the degree and type of hearing loss presenting. The results are recorded on a graph called an audiogram.

Speech Audiometry and Audible Contrast Threshold Testing

Our ability to recognise and understand speech is fundamental to daily communication. Speech audiometry can include a collection of tests including speech in quiet and speech in noise assessments. At Hidden Hearing we go beyond the audiogram when testing your hearing ability. This assessment is valuable as it helps us identify what you will need from hearing aid technology (where applicable) and how successful it will be. Most speech audiometry assessments will use speech as the stimulus to test your ability to distinguish words in various sound scenes. Where this is not possible, or where English is not your native language, your audiologist may opt to use ACT (Audible Contrast Threshold) speech in noise testing. This allows us to see how much help you need to hear clearly in noisy environments.

Therapeutic Services

Ear Wax Removal

Ear wax plays an important role in our ear health. It is naturally produced to help clean your ears and protect them from dust, dirt, and infection. However, excessive wax may lead to discomfort, pain, itchiness, and reduced hearing. Our expert wax removal service is performed with qualified and competent clinicians. They will discuss with you, the best method to safely remove excess ear wax from your ear canal using safe and minimally invasive modern techniques. At Hidden Hearing we offer wax removal via irrigation, dry extraction, and micro-suction. Management of excessive wax will help mitigate against many auditory issues.

Tinnitus Evaluation and Management

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of any external noise. It is commonly referred to as ‘ringing in my ears’ but may also present as a buzzing, hissing, chirping sound along with others. It is usually a symptom of an underlying cause which may include hearing loss, ear infections, medications, wax blockage, or even stress. Tinnitus can be experienced intermittently or continuously and can present in one ear or two ears. It can be distressing and debilitating. Whilst there is no known cure for tinnitus, we can carry out a thorough assessment to better understand your tinnitus experience to advise a suitable model of therapy and/or management plan where possible. This may include reviewing hearing aid technology, counselling, behavioural strategies and/or lifestyle adjustments to help alleviate your symptoms.

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Tinnitus Relief with Hearing Aids

A diagnostic audiologist can play a crucial role in treating tinnitus symptoms. They may conduct a thorough evaluation to diagnose the condition and its underlying causes. Treatment options often include Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT), which combines sound masking and counseling from a trained professional. Audiologists may also recommend the use of hearing aids or tinnitus maskers, devices that emit sounds to cover up the tinnitus, providing relief from the persistent noise.
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Book an appointment with our diagnostic audiologist

If you're concerned about tinnitus, have issues with balance or have concerns about your ears, diagnostic audiology is the path for you. By visiting our diagnostic audiologist directly, you can bypass long ENT waitlists and begin your journey to better hearing in no time!

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Why trust Hidden Hearing?

You're not just another patient; you're a partner in your hearing health journey. Our clinic is renowned for leading the way in hearing healthcare in Ireland, thanks to our:
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1. Expert team
Our audiologists are among the best in their field, continually advancing their knowledge to provide you with superior care.
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2. Personalised care
We understand that hearing health is deeply personal. That's why we tailor our services to meet your individual needs and preferences.   
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3. Advanced technology
We invest in the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies, ensuring accurate assessments and effective solutions.
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4. Free aftercare services
As an Hidden Hearing customer, you are entitled to free hearing aid batteries, adjustments and cleanings.

Take the First Step Towards Better Hearing

Our expert team is happy to address all hearing concerns by ensuring optimal ear health. Contact our diagnostic team today to schedule an appointment and experience the difference at Hidden Hearing.

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