Ear Health Check and Assessment in Essex

Most people do not think about their ear health until something changes. A gradual loss of clarity, a persistent feeling of fullness, a ringing in the ears, or a moment when you realise you have been asking people to repeat themselves more than you should. These are the moments when an ear health check is worth taking seriously.

At The Hearing Care Centre, our Ear Health Assessment is a thorough, unhurried clinical examination of your ears and hearing. In a single 60-minute appointment, one of our qualified audiologists will give you a complete picture of your ear health and the clarity to know exactly where things stand.

Let our family care for your family.

What is included in our Ear Health Assessment?

The assessment is designed to look at your ears as a whole, not just respond to a single symptom. Each step builds on the last so that by the end of the appointment, nothing has been overlooked.

Ear Health Questionnaire

We begin by taking a thorough medical history, covering your hearing, any current symptoms, and any relevant health background. Understanding the full picture from the outset means nothing is missed.

Ear Canal Inspection

Using the latest clinical or video microscopy, we carry out a detailed examination of both ear canals and eardrums. You can see exactly what we see, which helps us explain our findings clearly as we go.

Middle Ear Pressure Tests

We use tympanometry to assess how well your eardrum is moving and how effectively your middle ear is absorbing sound. This picks up conditions that are not always apparent from a visual examination alone.

Hearing Screening

We carry out a screening test across the key frequency ranges to check for any early signs of hearing change. Where a more detailed assessment is needed, we can discuss the next steps with you at the appointment.

Ear Wax Removal

If earwax is present and needs removing, we carry out microsuction at the same appointment. As part of your Ear Health Assessment, earwax removal by microsuction or irrigation is included if required.

Your Results and Next Steps

At the end of the appointment, we explain everything we have found in plain language. You leave with a clear understanding of your ear health and, where relevant, a recommended next step: whether that is monitoring, a follow-up appointment, a referral, or simply the reassurance that everything is in good order.

Before your appointment

If you have noticed earwax build-up or your hearing has felt blocked in the run-up to your appointment, we recommend using earwax softening drops for several days beforehand. This softens any hardened wax and helps microsuction work as quickly and comfortably as possible.

Over-the-counter olive oil drops or sodium bicarbonate drops are suitable for most people. If you are unsure whether drops are right for you, your practice nurse or pharmacist can advise.

Microsuction is generally a quick and comfortable procedure. It can sound a little noisy during the process, and if any wax is particularly compacted there may be minor discomfort, but our audiologists always work at your pace and will stop at any point if you need them to.

Book a Hearing Health Assessment today.

BOOK A CONSULTATION

Any questions?

How much does the Ear Health Assessment cost?

Ear Heath Assessment £100 (60-minute assessment) and earwax removal if required. For details of all hearing care services and pricing, check our price guide.

Why have your ears checked by an audiologist?

An ear health check carried out by a qualified audiologist is different to a pharmacy walk-in or a standalone wax removal appointment. Our audiologists are trained to look at your ears as part of the whole hearing system, which means they will be able to assess your hearing far more comprehensively than in a routine wax appointment.

Common findings during an Ear Health Assessment include earwax build-up that has not yet caused noticeable symptoms, early signs of hearing change, middle ear conditions, and eardrum changes that benefit from monitoring or referral. Catching these things early, before they become a significant problem, is the point.

Who is the Ear Health Assessment for?

You do not need a specific complaint or a GP referral to book. The assessment is appropriate for anyone who wants a clear picture of their ear health, including:

Adults who have not had their hearing or ears checked in several years
Anyone experiencing muffled hearing, a feeling of fullness, or intermittent hearing changes
Those with a history of earwax build-up, ear infections, or ear surgery
Hearing aid users who want a comprehensive ear health review alongside their care
Patients with tinnitus who want to understand whether an underlying cause is present

Ear health affects people of all ages and is not something to put off. If you are booking on behalf of a family member or have concerns about a younger adult in the family, speak to our team and we will advise on whether the assessment is suitable.

What if I need a referral to a Consultant?

Our audiologists handle the majority of ear health concerns in clinic. For cases that require specialist input, we have established referral pathways to named consultants rather than a generic recommendation to see your GP.

If we identify anything that requires further investigation, we can refer you to your GP or for highly complex cases, we work with Mr Arcot Maheshwar at the Oaks Hospital in Colchester. Where a referral is appropriate, we will explain why and what the next step involves before you leave your appointment.

Our Essex clinics

Ear Health Assessments are available at all four of our Essex clinics. We look forward to seeing you.

Colchester: Our clinic is at Headgate in the town centre, close to the main bus stops and easy to reach by public transport.
West Mersea: Our clinic has free and on-street parking and offers a relaxed setting well suited to a longer appointment.
Langham: Our clinic is in the Essex countryside with on-site parking, a calm environment.
Marks Tey: Our clinic has on-site parking and is easy to reach from across the surrounding area as it is situated convenient on the A120 near to Popular Nurseries.

To see all of our audiology services, please click here to see all of our services available at our clinics.

BOOK A CONSULTATION