Frequently Asked Hearing Questions

Below are answers to some frequently asked hearing questions. If you have any questions about hearing aids, please read our hearing aid FAQs.

Hearing difficulty can often be hard to notice as in most cases it begins gradually, without discomfort or pain. Family members often learn to adapt to someone’s hearing loss without even realising. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help determine whether you have a hearing loss:

  • Do I often ask people to repeat themselves?
  • Does it sound like other people are mumbling or slurring their words?
  • Do I have trouble following conversations with more than two people?
  • Do I prefer the TV or radio volume louder than others?
  • Do I have difficulty hearing what is said unless I’m facing the speaker?
  • Do I struggle to hear in crowded places like restaurants, supermarkets and meeting rooms?
  • Do I have a hard time hearing women or children?
  • Do I experience ringing or buzzing in my ears?

If you answered yes to several of these questions, the chances are you do suffer from hearing loss.

Everyone is entitled to free hearing aids and batteries on the National Health Service (NHS). The differences can be summarised into 4 main areas; waiting times, technology and style of hearing aids and aftercare services.

Private waiting times are much shorter than on the NHS and you are often fitted with your hearing aids in a matter of days. From hearing assessment to hearing aid fitting is usually between 7-14 days. Many NHS providers are only able to fit you with one specific range of hearing aids available to them. Privately you can choose from the full range of technology on the market which offers smaller, more discreet styles and more advanced hearing aid features that are suited to you individually.

If things go wrong due to often limited time and resources, being seen on the NHS can often be a lengthy process. You are often left with the same hearing aids for long periods of time without follow-up on how you are getting on. At Integrate Hearing we always include a lifetime of free aftercare with your hearing aid purchase, meaning you can count on to keep your hearing aids working at optimum performance. We provide regular six-month check-ups, and should you have a problem it will be dealt with speedily to minimise any inconvenience.

Where possible avoid exposure to loud noise. The damage caused by noise exposure is cumulative over the course of time and there is often a high incidence of hearing loss amongst those people who have worked in loud noise, such as with loud machinery or with loud music exposure. At times avoiding noise may be impractical or impossible so a good rule of thumb is to try and wear hearing protection when being exposed to sounds that prevent you from understanding conversation in a normal voice or any noise that leaves you with tinnitus, as this can cause permanent damage to your hearing.

If you have any other questions which haven’t been answered above, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help!

Our Services

We offer all aspects of hearing care in Manchester, Stockport, Cheadle Hulme & Romiley. Whether it be ear wax removal, hearing aids, hearing tests or tinnitus treatment, we can help. Please click on one of the following services for more information.

Hearing Tests

Hearing Aids

Ear Wax Removal

Tinnitus Management

Contact Us

For more information about our services or even for just a general chat regarding your hearing health, please do get in touch.

Private Hearing Aids

Hear well and stay integrated, with a choice of the latest hearing aids from the best manufacturer’s brands like Phonak, Unitron, Widex, Signia, Starkey or Oticon. Our honest, unbiased and comprehensive advice helps you understand your best hearing aid features and styles.

Hearing Aids

Invisible, rechargeable or Bluetooth, find the best digital hearing aid technology to suit you.

Meet our Audiologists

Independent hearing professionals offering impartial advice

Hearing & Ear Wax Removal Clinic Locations

We now have various locations across Manchester and Stockport with a range of opening hours to make arranging the most suitable time to visit us even easier. We often have same day appointments available across our sites. Find your nearest hearing clinic and book online or call us today.

I would like to thank Olivia for her home visit to remove wax from my mother’s ears today. She was fantastically reassuring, professional, courteous and patient. Every step of the process was carefully explained and she was meticulous in her safety procedures. I would not hesitate to recommend Olivia to anyone needing any audiology services.
Richard

Olivia is absolutely brilliant. Can’t praise her too highly. Wasted 9 months at another clinic where none of my problems were ever solved. Olivia gave me back my hearing in under two. She is the Super Woman of hearing problems!

Leslie
Visited Olivia today at Cheadle for ear wax removal. I was very impressed with her professionalism and friendliness which I feel would put even a nervous patient quickly at ease. The treatment was trouble free and pain free and reached a successful outcome with complete removal of the wax. I would not hesitate to recommend Olivia to any potential patients.
Norman Wall
After having microsuction, I discussed the possibility of a hearing aid from Olivia after having problems with my NHS aid. At each appointment I found Olivia very thorough and professional. She was careful to ensure that I had exactly the right fit and that I was happy with it. She was helpful, pleasant and made me feel relaxed. I am very happy with my new neat hearing aid. Thanks Olivia!
Jean Silvester