For many people, hearing change does not begin with silence. It begins with small adjustments: turning the television up another notch, asking someone to repeat the end of a sentence, or finding that a busy restaurant takes more concentration than it used to.

Because the change can be gradual, it is easy to adapt around it. That is also why a professional hearing assessment can be useful before deciding whether hearing aids are appropriate. The aim is to measure hearing, understand everyday difficulties and then discuss suitable next steps.

More than half of people aged 55 or over in the UK have hearing loss. RNID prevalence data provides useful context, but an individual hearing assessment is needed to understand your own hearing.

Start with the situation that feels different

One person may follow one-to-one conversation comfortably but struggle when several people speak at once. Another may notice television dialogue, softer voices or telephone calls first. These details matter because they help a hearing professional understand what you need from an assessment and, if appropriate, from a hearing aid.

Conversation at home

Listening effort can be a useful clue

If conversation leaves you unusually tired, if you rely on lip-reading more than before, or if family members keep mentioning the volume, it may be worth arranging a hearing check. A consultation can organise those observations before you book or attend an assessment.

Explore your options

Quick eligibility check

Which age group are you in?

Select an answer to carry it into the consultation checker below.

Modern hearing aids are not one single design

The NHS describes several common hearing-aid formats. Which one is suitable can depend on hearing levels, ear shape, comfort, dexterity and the features you value. Smaller is not automatically better; the right format is the one that fits the hearing need and can be used comfortably every day.

A modern discreet hearing aid
Behind-the-ear, receiver-in-the-ear, in-the-ear and canal-based devices each have different practical advantages.
Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE)A small unit sits behind the ear with a thin wire leading to a receiver in the ear. Often considered when a discreet appearance and practical handling are both important.
Behind-the-ear (BTE)The main device sits behind the ear and connects to an earpiece. This format can suit a wide range of hearing needs and may be easier to handle for some users.
In-the-ear (ITE)The device is made to sit within the outer ear. Size and suitability vary according to the fitting and hearing requirement.
Canal-based stylesSome devices sit partly or more deeply inside the ear canal. Their small size can be discreet, but they are not appropriate for every ear or hearing level.

One more question

Do you already use hearing aids?

What a good first conversation should cover

A useful consultation should not begin by pushing a particular model. It should establish what has changed, which situations are most difficult, whether you already use hearing aids and what kind of appointment would be practical for you.

01Your everyday listeningConversation, television, telephone calls and busy environments can each point to different priorities.
02Your current hearing supportIf you already use hearing aids, it is useful to know whether the concern is comfort, clarity, handling or a possible change in hearing.
03The right assessment settingA consultation can help establish whether you would prefer an initial telephone conversation or information about arranging an in-person assessment.
04Options after the resultsIf testing indicates that a hearing aid may help, styles and features can then be discussed in the context of measured hearing and practical needs.

Check your options before making a decision

The consultation checker takes a few short answers and carries them into a summary on the next page. It is not a hearing test and does not diagnose hearing loss.

Explore options

How to request your free hearing consultation

1

Answer a few simple questions.
Tell us your age group, whether you currently use hearing aids and where listening feels most difficult.

2

Choose how you would like to start.
Select the appointment preference that feels most practical for your first conversation.

3

Receive a summary of what you told us.
Your thank-you page repeats your answers and explains the next appropriate steps before any device decision.

Older adult discussing hearing care with a professional

The consultation comes before the product

A hearing aid should be considered in the context of an appropriate assessment. The smallest, newest or most feature-rich device is not automatically the best choice for every person.