There are 3 overall types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed hearing loss. They are differentiated based on which part of the ear is damaged. Learn more about each type of hearing loss.

One of the most common warning signs of hearing loss is difficulty following conversations (or understanding what others are saying). Study the 6 most common signs of hearing loss or take our 5 minute online hearing test to find out if you should get your hearing checked in clinic: Online hearing test. 

We have three ways of checking hearing in our clinics, these are; An AMTAS - computer screening using specific hearing software (15 mins), a Screening test with a Clinician (30 mins) and a full test with a Clinician (60 mins). Adults aged 65 and over will be automatically booked into to full test appointment with a Clinician.

Ear infections can cause a temporary hearing loss which resolves when the infection clears. Chronic, repeated ear infections can in some cases lead to permanent hearing difficulties.

Hearing problems can be caused by a large variety of different causes, which are either intrinsic (originating in the body), extrinsic (caused by external factors) or idiopathic (of unknown causes). One intrinsic cause of hearing loss is genetic, meaning that a gene or genetic mutation either directly causes the hearing loss or causes a syndrome or condition of which hearing loss is one symptom. Some genetic causes of hearing loss can be hereditary, i.e. passed down from one’s parents and may be present from birth. Other inherited hearing losses may not appear until later in life or progressively become worse over time.

Most cases of tinnitus accompany sensorineural or conductive hearing losses, and people with a history of noise exposure are more likely to experience tinnitus. In a minority of cases people with tinnitus have normal audiometric results; however, there is growing evidence that many in this group may in fact have damage to their hearing system which is not able to be picked up in standard hearing tests. Some other less common potential causes of tinnitus, especially for those with normal audiometric results, include head injury and abnormal somatosensory activity.

There are many different potential causes of dizziness, some of which originate in or impact the Vestibular System (or the systems in our body which regulate our balance). As the Vestibular System is part of the inner ear, some vestibular-related causes of dizziness can also affect our hearing. Hearing loss in and of itself cannot cause dizziness, but both can be symptoms of the same cause. Examples of such diseases are Ménière’s Disease or Labyrinthitis (the latter can be caused by viruses).