The Skipton Audiologist

26/08/2026

Do you ever wonder how robust hearing aids are? Take a look at the “Wiggle Test”. This is one way manufacturers simulate years of use on their products to ensure they are robust for everyday use. Thanks to Starkey Hearing for this one. It’s an oldie but a goodie. Have the sound on and giggle at the music.

Starkey's Evidence-Based Design doesn't end when the product is del...

21/08/2026

Be honest… we’ve all been part of the Misheard Lyrics Club. 😂 Often you’ve been confidently singing the wrong words for years, you’re in good company.

However, if you’re noticing more “Wait… what did they say?” moments lately, it might be time for a quick hearing check. We’re here for you!

20/08/2026

As summer starts winding down, I've been thinking about something.

There are sounds that only exist in these last few weeks of the season. And they’re the kinds of sounds you don't notice until they're gone.

The specific hum of a lawnmower on a Saturday morning. The ice cream van that only comes around in August.

As an audiologist, I think about sound differently than most people. And one question I find myself sitting with more than any other is this:

👉 What is the sound of summer that you would miss the most?

What is the one sound that, if it started to fade or sound different, would change the season for you?

I'll go first. For me, it's the sounds of swimming outdoors. I’ve always been a fan of water, (and yes that is me by my paddling pool in about 1974). ☀️

Drop yours below! I read every single one. ⬇️

19/08/2026

Our overall health plays a powerful role in how well we hear, and diabetes is one condition that deserves special attention.

Over time, changes in blood sugar can affect the tiny blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear, making hearing loss twice as common in people with diabetes compared to those without it. It is a reminder that caring for your hearing is also part of caring for your whole body! 🫶❣️

If you or someone you love is managing diabetes, a baseline hearing test is a simple and meaningful step toward long‑term wellness.

We are here to support you with compassion every step of the way!

18/08/2026

If you've been sitting on this for a while, wondering whether to say something, talking yourself out of it, telling yourself it's probably nothing, I want you to hear this.

👉 You're not being dramatic.
👉 You're not overstepping.
👉 You're not trying to take something away from them.

You're paying attention. And that is exactly what people who love each other do. 💞

There's a particular kind of quiet worry that comes with noticing changes in a parent. It doesn't announce itself. It just shows up: at the dinner table, in the car, on the phone, and then you carry it home with you and don't quite know what to do with it. 😟

A lot of families stay in that place for a long time because they don't want to get it wrong. They don't want to make their parent feel old, or embarrassed, or like something has been taken from them.

That hesitation comes from a good place. But I’ve seen, again and again, that the families who have the conversation (even the imperfect, uncomfortable version) are always glad they did.

If you've been carrying this quietly, you don't have to figure it all out before you say something. You just have to start somewhere. We're here if you need a place to begin. 🤍



Photo is of Sue and her mum, trying on their cowboy hats for a country and western themed wedding - who wears it best?

17/08/2026

Despite the incredible advancements in hearing aid technology, the fact remains that hearing aids are only one piece of the communication puzzle. As a patient or potential patient of our clinic, we are proud to introduce you to an excellent new program called 5 Keys Communication.
It is designed to help you overcome frustrations associated with hearing loss and has produced positive results for tens of thousands of people. Through a series of weekly emails, you will learn the 5 Keys to Communication Success. These quick and fun eLessons will teach you how to apply the 5 Keys to your most difficult listening situations. Each tip will also include helpful information about the care and use of your hearing aids as well as other important resources. The greatest part about these weekly eLessons is that you can share them with your family members and friends who might also benefit from the information. In fact, half of the lessons are written for the people in your life who need to do their part in communicating clearly so that you can better understand them. So we encourage you to share them with everyone who talks to you on a regular basis! This awesome new resource is now available to all of our patients, contact Sue for enrolment.

16/08/2026

August brings warm evenings, outdoor concerts, and the last golden stretch of summer. It’s the perfect time to make sure your hearing aids are tuned for the moments you love! 🦻💯

If music is important to you, ask us about creating a dedicated “music program.” It reduces processing so that sounds feel fuller, richer, and more natural!

A small adjustment can make your favorite summer soundtrack even better! 🎶

15/08/2026

f you've ever sat in a noisy restaurant and struggled to follow the conversation, you have something in common with one of the most famous rock musicians alive.
Dave Grohl — drummer for Nirvana, frontman of Foo Fighters, two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer — has been reading lips for about 20 years. He has tinnitus and hearing damage, worse in his left ear from decades of snare drums and stage monitors. In a crowded restaurant, he says, there is no way he could follow a conversation.
When the lights go off at night, he describes it as a constant high-pitched tone that never stops. 👂
And yet he still performs. Still records. Still tours.
His story is a good reminder of two things:
1️⃣ Hearing loss doesn’t discriminate. It happens to people at the top of their game, not just the elderly.
2️⃣ The longer you wait to understand what is happening, the harder things become.
The crowded restaurant. The conversation you half-followed. The ringing that shows up at the end of a loud day… if any of this sounds familiar, it might be worth a conversation. We are here.

15/08/2026

We are attending a Dementia UK fundraising event

14/08/2026

Something worth knowing as we head into autumn… and honestly, any time of year when mopeds, motorcycles, and bikes are out in full force.
👉 Mild head injuries are easy to overlook.
You feel shaken up, maybe a little “off” for a few days, and then life gets busy, and you move on. No stitches, no hospital stay, nothing that felt serious enough to follow up on.
But mild traumatic brain injuries (even ones that never involved a loss of consciousness) can affect hearing, balance, and the brain's ability to process sound in ways that don't always show up right away.
A minor car accident. A fall off a moped. A bike accident where you hit your head but felt okay afterward. These are exactly the kinds of events that can quietly affect the auditory system without anyone connecting the dots later. 🧠👂
If you’ve noticed changes in your hearing, such as persistent ringing, dizziness, or difficulty following conversations since a head injury, it is worth mentioning to your audiologist!
Your full history helps us give you the most accurate picture of what is happening and why.
Every detail matters.