The Skipton Audiologist

The Skipton Audiologist I provide independent hearing assessment in Skipton, North Yorkshire. Ear health and wax management advice. Additional times are available by appointment.
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Hearing technology sales and repairs of existing hearing aid technology. You can book appointments online at www.theskiptonaudiologist.co.uk

Gene Therapy in Hearing Care 🧬✨At The Skipton Audiologist and Claire Benton Audiology, we’ve been getting a lot of quest...
13/06/2026

Gene Therapy in Hearing Care 🧬✨

At The Skipton Audiologist and Claire Benton Audiology, we’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about the incredible news regarding genetic modifiers (gene therapy) and their success in restoring hearing for children.

It is, quite literally, a new chapter in medical history. Here is what you need to know about this breakthrough and what it means for our community in Skipton.

The Breakthrough: What happened? In recent clinical trials, children born with a specific type of genetic deafness (Otof-related) received a one-time gene therapy. For the first time ever, we are seeing children move from total silence to hearing and even speaking, thanks to this "genetic repair."

A Note to our Adult Patients: "Is this for me?" We have heard from many of you asking if this treatment will soon replace hearing aids for adults. There are a few reasons why this isn't a "cure-all" for everyone just yet:

1️⃣ Genetic Specificity: This current treatment only works for a very specific, rare genetic mutation. It doesn’t yet apply to hearing loss caused by age, noise exposure, or other health factors.

2️⃣ The "Brain Window": These therapies are most effective in children because their brains are still in a high state of "plasticity.” Meaning they are ready to learn how to interpret sound for the first time.

2️⃣ The Future is Growing: While this specific treatment is for kids, the research is paving the way for future therapies that may eventually help repair the hair cells in adults.

Our perspective at The Skipton Audiologist aClaire Benton Audiologyogy: We are living in the most exciting era of hearing healthcare. While gene therapy matures in the lab, the AI and digital technologies we use in our clinic today are the bridge that keeps you connected to your world. 🌉

Science is moving fast, but you don't have to wait for a "miracle" to start hearing better today!


12/06/2026

Research has shown when sounds reach the brain in a distorted way, the brain must work harder to process information, which may contribute to long-term changes in brain function. 👂🧠

Studies suggest that supporting hearing health is one way to support brain health.

Keeping hearing sharp helps keep the brain engaged. 😊

If the ringing in your ears gets louder or changes pitch when you move your neck or tighten your jaw, you aren't imagini...
07/06/2026

If the ringing in your ears gets louder or changes pitch when you move your neck or tighten your jaw, you aren't imagining things. You likely have what we call "Somatic Tinnitus."
Your auditory system shares neural pathways with the muscles in your head, neck, and jaw (TMJ). When those muscles are tight or out of alignment, they can trigger or worsen the phantom sounds in your ears.
At The Skipton Audiologist, managing tinnitus is a team effort with you. 🤝 We start by mapping your hearing thresholds and tinnitus profile in our clinic. If we identify a strong physical connection, we’ll guide you toward the right customised sound therapies while you get other things sorted with physiotherapists and dentists.

Hey… the "smartest" thing you’ll wear this year might actually be your hearing aids! 🦻😁Auracast™ Connectivity: Public au...
06/06/2026

Hey… the "smartest" thing you’ll wear this year might actually be your hearing aids! 🦻😁
Auracast™ Connectivity: Public audio streaming is now a reality. From silent TVs in sports bars to crystal-clear gate announcements, the world is becoming an 'open-audio' playground for our patients at [Practice Name].
While we are still waiting for the first local installations here in North Yorkshire, this tech is a game-changer for travelers! You might already run into Auracast™ at major hubs like the Frankfurt Airport, Bristol Temple Meads Train Station, the Contact Theatre in Manchester, or larger places of worship! Or even your new T.V. Or laptop.

Have you or someone you know been able to test out Auracast? Tell us what you thought! 👇

05/06/2026

If you’re a patient of mine, you have probably heard me say this a million times. 😂

We don’t just listen with our ears; our brains play a major role in how we understand speech! 🧠

Hearing is not only about detecting sound, but about how the brain processes and makes sense of it.

As part of a comprehensive hearing evaluation, we often include word recognition testing. This allows us to assess higher-level auditory processing and better understand how your brain interprets incoming sounds, especially in real-world listening situations.

This information helps us make the most appropriate and personalized treatment recommendations.

And now you know! 💡✨

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a time to highlight the important connection between hearing and cognitio...
04/06/2026

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a time to highlight the important connection between hearing and cognition. 💜 Millions of individuals and families are impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Awareness, early identification, and supportive care play a key role in improving quality of life. Understanding how hearing health fits into brain health is one way we can better support our loved ones!

Do you know someone in your life who needs to schedule that hearing screening? 🤔

A common misconception is that hearing aids amplify sounds too much. But that is rarely the case now! With today’s techn...
03/06/2026

A common misconception is that hearing aids amplify sounds too much. But that is rarely the case now! With today’s technology, we can test exactly how your hearing aids perform before you leave the office.

This allows us to ensure sounds are amplified safely and comfortably, without under or over-amplifying. A truly CUSTOM setting. 🦻 This photo is Claire learning from the Technical Director at Starkey U.K. who supply one of many different amplification options available.

Hearing aids are designed to adapt to sudden loud sounds, such as barking dogs or slamming doors, while protecting your hearing. A hearing aid automatically detects a loud (one-time) incoming sound and reduces it to a comfortable level.

Comfort and safety go hand in hand. 🤝

.K.

Sometimes the habits that make the biggest difference are the smallest ones.A patient came in recently and pulled someth...
02/06/2026

Sometimes the habits that make the biggest difference are the smallest ones.

A patient came in recently and pulled something out of her purse that I loved. It was hearing protection! She told me, “In the summer, I carry these with me like I do my sunglasses.” 🥹👏👏👏

I thought that was such a great way to look at it. We are all so used to protecting our eyes without even thinking twice, but we do not always treat our hearing the same way.

She shared that she learned this the hard way. She went to a concert in her 30s without hearing protection, and afterward her ears started ringing. She said, “It never fully went away. It comes and goes, but it is always there.”

I hear stories like that more often than you would think. I think a lot of us assume “it will be fine” in those situations, until it isn’t. Once that ringing starts, it can be really frustrating to manage. 😣

The win here is awareness. Now she is proactive, prepared, and protecting her hearing in situations she knows could be loud.

It is such a simple habit, but it makes a big difference over time. If you are heading into concerts, festivals, or any loud summer events, bring hearing protection along. Future you will be grateful.

If you pop into the practice on Swadford Street in Skipton we have hearing protection of all types and for all situations.
From custom electronic CENS for shooting, through to non custom professional plugs for occasional use.
You can even ask us for a free set of reusable non custom ear plugs.

01/06/2026

Can you believe May has already come to a close? 😱 Time to cast those Clouts and welcome some summer in Skipton (I hope).

Our goal at The Skipton Audiologist since we opened 4 years ago this month, has always been to remind our community that hearing care is about the bridge to the people and moments you love. Whether it's catching a grandchild’s whisper or staying confident in a busy restaurant, those "small" moments are truly what make life big. 💕

If these 4 years have taught us anything it’s that small changes in your hearing are worth paying attention to before they feel like a "major concern."

Thank you for letting us be your resource for answers over the last 4 years we love being part of the community.

Address

12 Swadford Street
Skipton
BD231RD

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 12pm

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