Ear wax build-up
Hearing loss
Hearing Loss Assessment in Nottingham
Hearing loss may be gradual or sudden. It can affect speech clarity, confidence, communication and quality of life. It may be due to wax, infection, middle-ear pressure, age-related change, noise exposure or other ear conditions.
What patients notice
Common symptoms and signs
Symptoms can overlap between different ear conditions. The safest first step is a careful clinical assessment so treatment is based on what is actually seen and heard during your appointment.
- Difficulty hearing conversation
- Needing people to repeat themselves
- Turning up the television volume
- Difficulty hearing in background noise
- Sudden, one-sided or fluctuating hearing change
Possible causes
What could be causing this?
The cause can vary from person to person. Your clinician will consider your symptoms, medical history and ear examination findings before advising on the most appropriate next step.
Ear infection or inflammation
Middle-ear pressure or fluid
Age-related hearing change
Noise-related hearing damage
How we can help
Doctor-led assessment at Nottingham Ear Clinic
We start by checking the ear medically so treatable causes such as wax, infection or inflammation are not missed. Where needed, patients can be referred to our experienced audiologists for full hearing assessment and hearing aid guidance.
Safety guidance
When to seek urgent medical advice
Most ear symptoms can be assessed in a routine appointment, but some symptoms should not wait.
- Sudden hearing loss, especially in one ear
- Severe or rapidly worsening pain
- Facial weakness, severe headache or neurological symptoms
- Marked dizziness, collapse or severe balance disturbance
- Swelling, redness or tenderness spreading around the ear
- High temperature, feeling very unwell, diabetes or reduced immune function
If symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening or concerning, please contact your GP, NHS 111, an urgent treatment centre or 999 in an emergency.
Frequently asked questions
Helpful answers about hearing loss and when to book an appointment.
Can hearing loss be caused by wax?
Yes. Wax can reduce hearing, but hearing loss can also be caused by infection, eardrum problems, middle-ear pressure or inner-ear hearing change.
Do you offer full hearing assessments?
Yes. Following doctor-led ear assessment, patients can be referred to our experienced audiologists for full hearing assessment where appropriate.
Is sudden hearing loss urgent?
Yes. Sudden hearing loss should be treated as urgent and assessed promptly through appropriate medical services.
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