27/07/2026
A little audiology learning today – and why it's important to see a fully qualified Hearing Aid Dispenser.
Recently at BHC, we've seen several clients who were told their hearing was "normal" after having a simple high street hearing check. However, these tests were often limited and not as comprehensive as a full hearing assessment.
A basic screening (often testing just four frequencies) or an online hearing check can be useful for raising awareness, but it should never replace a full hearing test carried out in a sound-treated booth, including both air conduction and bone conduction testing.
Understanding the results:
🔴 Red circles = Right ear (air conduction)
🔵 Blue crosses = Left ear (air conduction)
🔺/◁ Triangles or brackets = Bone conduction (via a headband behind the ear)
If your hearing test didn't include bone conduction, it wasn't a complete assessment.
Here are three examples:
1️⃣ A recent test showing only four air conduction points, where the patient was told their hearing was normal.
2️⃣ A full BHC hearing assessment using both air and bone conduction, revealing a mild bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with high-frequency hearing loss that the first test failed to identify.
3️⃣ The same results, but with an air-bone gap, which could indicate a middle ear condition affecting the eardrum or hearing bones. If this were the true result, the patient should have been referred to their GP or ENT for further investigation.
The concern is that people may leave believing their hearing is fine when they've only received part of the picture. A comprehensive hearing assessment doesn't just measure hearing—it helps identify underlying conditions and ensures you receive the correct advice, treatment, or referral.
A longer post than usual, but an important one to explain! 👂🦻❤💙
