Hearing Test Berwick
Comprehensive Hearing Assessments at Sense of Hearing Clinic
Professional Hearing Tests at Sense of Hearing Clinic
Are you concerned about your hearing? Whether you've noticed difficulty understanding conversations, frequently ask people to repeat themselves, or simply want a baseline hearing check, Sense of Hearing Clinic in Berwick provides comprehensive hearing assessments to evaluate your hearing health.
Our principal audiologist, Judith James, uses state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to conduct thorough hearing evaluations, providing you with clear results and expert recommendations tailored to your needs.
What is a Comprehensive Hearing Test?
A hearing test (also called a hearing assessment or audiometric evaluation) is a series of painless tests that measure how well you hear different sounds, tones, and frequencies. At Sense of Hearing Clinic in Berwick, our comprehensive hearing evaluation includes multiple components to give you a complete picture of your hearing health.
Why Hearing Tests Are Important
Regular hearing tests are essential because:
Early Detection
Identifies hearing loss before it significantly impacts your life
Baseline Measurement
Establishes your current hearing levels for future comparison
Treatment Planning
Determines if hearing aids or other interventions would help
Medical Screening
Can detect underlying medical conditions affecting hearing
Quality of Life
Addresses hearing issues before they affect relationships and daily activities
Workplace Requirements
Meets occupational health and safety obligations
Recommended frequency: Adults should have a hearing test every 2-3 years, or annually if you're over 60, exposed to loud noise, or have noticed hearing changes.
Our Comprehensive Hearing Assessment Process
When you visit Sense of Hearing Clinic in Berwick for a hearing test, your comprehensive assessment includes:
Judith begins by understanding your hearing concerns:
- Discussion of any hearing difficulties you've noticed
- Review of your medical history and medications
- Questions about noise exposure (work, hobbies, lifestyle)
- Family history of hearing loss
- Current ear health issues (infections, pain, tinnitus)
- Impact on daily life and communication
A visual inspection of your ear canal and eardrum using a specialized otoscope:
- Checks for ear wax buildup that could affect test results
- Identifies any abnormalities, infections, or damage
- Ensures your ear canal is clear for accurate testing
- Assesses eardrum health and condition
If excessive ear wax is found, we can remove it using our professional micro-suction service before proceeding with testing.
Learn About Ear Wax RemovalThis is the core hearing test that measures your hearing sensitivity:
- You'll wear headphones in a quiet testing environment
- A series of tones at different frequencies and volumes are presented
- You indicate when you hear each tone by pressing a button
- Tests each ear separately to identify any differences
- Measures hearing thresholds from low to high-pitched sounds
- Results are plotted on an audiogram chart
This test shows:
- • The quietest sounds you can hear at each frequency
- • Which frequencies are affected if you have hearing loss
- • The degree of hearing loss (mild, moderate, severe, or profound)
- • The type of hearing loss (conductive, sensorineural, or mixed)
Measures your ability to understand speech at different volumes:
- You'll listen to recorded words spoken at various volume levels
- You repeat back the words you hear
- Tests your speech recognition threshold
- Assesses your word discrimination ability
This is crucial because hearing aids are primarily for understanding speech, not just amplifying sound.
Tests the function of your middle ear:
- A soft probe is placed in your ear canal (doesn't hurt)
- Air pressure changes are introduced
- Measures how well your eardrum moves in response
- Detects fluid buildup, Eustachian tube dysfunction
- Identifies perforated eardrum issues
- Checks ossicle (middle ear bone) function
Judith explains your test results in clear, easy-to-understand language:
- Your audiogram explained - Visual representation of your hearing levels
- What your results mean - Impact on your daily communication
- Comparison to normal hearing - Understanding any hearing loss
- Treatment options - If hearing aids or other interventions are recommended
- Next steps - Whether you need referral to an ENT specialist
- Prevention strategies - Protecting your remaining hearing
You'll receive a copy of your full hearing assessment report.
Total appointment time: Approximately 60-75 minutes
Signs You May Need a Hearing Test
Many people don't realize they have hearing loss because it develops gradually. Common signs include:
- Difficulty understanding conversation in noisy environments
- Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
- Trouble hearing on the phone or video calls
- Difficulty following conversations when multiple people are talking
- Misunderstanding words that sound similar
- Turning up TV or radio volume higher than others prefer
- Trouble hearing doorbells, phone rings, or alarms
- Difficulty hearing soft or distant sounds
- Speech sounds muffled or unclear
- High-pitched sounds harder to hear (children's voices, birds)
- Avoiding social situations because of difficulty hearing
- Feeling exhausted after conversations from straining to hear
- Family members complain you don't hear them
- Withdrawing from activities you once enjoyed
- Feeling anxious in communication situations
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Fullness or pressure in the ears
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Ear pain or discomfort
Risk Factors - You should have a hearing test if you:
- Are over 60 years old (age-related hearing loss is common)
- Have been exposed to loud noise (occupational, recreational, military)
- Have a family history of hearing loss
- Take medications that can affect hearing
- Have diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or other health conditions
- Have had ear infections, injuries, or surgeries
If you've noticed any of these signs, don't wait. Early intervention leads to better outcomes.
Types of Hearing Loss We Diagnose
Causes: Aging, noise exposure, genetics, certain medications, illness
Characteristics: Sounds are quieter and less clear, difficulty understanding speech in noise
Treatment: Hearing aids, cochlear implants (severe cases), assistive listening devices
Prognosis: Usually permanent, but manageable with proper treatment
Causes: Ear wax buildup, ear infections, fluid in middle ear, perforated eardrum
Characteristics: Sounds are quieter but usually clear when loud enough
Treatment: Often medically treatable (ear wax removal, medication, surgery)
Prognosis: Often temporary and reversible with proper medical treatment
Causes: Multiple factors affecting both inner ear and middle ear
Characteristics: Reduced volume and clarity of sounds
Treatment: Address conductive component medically, manage sensorineural component with hearing aids
Prognosis: Varies depending on specific causes
Causes: Noise exposure, aging, genetics
Characteristics: Trouble hearing women's/children's voices, consonant sounds, bird songs
Treatment: Hearing aids programmed specifically for high frequencies
Prognosis: Very common, highly manageable with proper amplification
Why Choose Sense of Hearing Clinic for Your Hearing Test?
Judith James brings over 15 years of audiology experience:
- Certified Audiologist with the Australian College of Audiology (ACAud inc. HAASA)
- National and international experience
- Specialized training in comprehensive diagnostic hearing assessments
- Friendly, patient-centered approach
Our Berwick clinic uses professional-grade diagnostic equipment:
- Calibrated audiometers for precise measurements
- Soundproof testing booth for accurate results
- Modern tympanometry equipment
- Latest testing protocols and standards
Unlike quick screening tests:
- Full 60-75 minute comprehensive assessment
- Multiple test components for complete evaluation
- Time to discuss results and ask questions
- No rushing through your appointment
We provide:
- Easy-to-understand explanations of your results
- Honest advice about whether you need hearing aids
- No pressure sales - we focus on your hearing health first
- Referrals to specialists when medical attention is needed
- Copy of your test results to keep or share with your GP
Convenient Berwick Location
Sense of Hearing Clinic
Berwick Healthcare
Federation University Campus
76 Clyde Road, Berwick, VIC 3806
Easy access from Berwick Railway Station (7 minutes walk) | Close to Berwick CBD | Serving Narre Warren, Officer, Pakenham, and surrounding areas
Hearing Tests for Different Needs
Our standard comprehensive hearing assessment for adults. Ideal for:
- Annual hearing health checks (especially 60+)
- Investigating suspected hearing loss
- Baseline measurements before occupational noise exposure
- Pre-employment hearing assessments
- Tinnitus evaluation
We provide child-friendly hearing tests for children aged 8 and older:
- Age-appropriate testing methods for children's attention spans
- Parent consultation - Discuss results and recommendations
- School-related concerns - Addressing hearing issues affecting learning
- Gentle, patient approach - Making children comfortable
For children under 8, we can refer you to pediatric audiology specialists.
Meeting workplace health and safety requirements:
- Baseline audiometry - Before starting noise-exposed work
- Periodic monitoring - Annual or biennial checks as required
- Exit testing - When leaving noise-exposed employment
- WorkSafe Victoria compliance - Meeting regulatory requirements
- Detailed reporting - Comprehensive reports for employers
For medical or legal purposes:
- Comprehensive diagnostic reports for medical specialists
- GP referrals welcome - Collaborative care with your doctor
- Workers compensation claims - Supporting documentation
- Veterans Affairs (DVA) - Assessments for eligible veterans
We provide comprehensive reports to share with your healthcare providers.
Medicare & Government Programs
Medicare benefits may apply if:
- You have a GP referral
- You meet eligibility criteria for specific programs
- Your test is related to a medical condition
If you're eligible for the Australian Government Hearing Services Program, you may be entitled to:
- Fully subsidized hearing assessments
- Subsidized hearing aids
- Ongoing support and maintenance
Eligibility includes:
- Age pensioners
- Self-funded retirees holding a Pensioner Concession Card
- Veterans (Department of Veterans' Affairs clients)
Bring your relevant cards to your appointment and we'll check your eligibility.
We accept:
- WorkSafe Victoria claims for work-related hearing assessments
- Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) clients for hearing services
Frequently Asked Questions
A comprehensive hearing assessment at our Berwick clinic takes approximately 60-75 minutes, including consultation, all tests, and discussion of results.
No, hearing tests are completely painless. All tests are non-invasive and comfortable.
No referral is required for a private hearing test. However, having a GP referral may make you eligible for Medicare benefits or government programs.
We recommend every 2-3 years for adults under 60, annually for adults over 60, annually if you work in noisy environments, and immediately if you notice any changes in your hearing.
Absolutely! Many patients bring a family member or friend, especially when discussing treatment options.
We'll identify this during the otoscopy examination. If needed, we can remove ear wax using our professional micro-suction service before proceeding with the hearing test.
We focus on your hearing health first. If hearing aids would benefit you, we'll explain why and what options are available, but there's never any pressure. You can take time to consider your options.
Judith will explain your results clearly, discuss what it means for you, and recommend appropriate next steps - which may include hearing aids, medical referral, or simply monitoring your hearing over time.
Yes, we provide hearing tests for children aged 8 years and older using child-friendly approaches.
Serving Greater Berwick & Surrounding Areas
Sense of Hearing Clinic is proud to provide professional hearing tests to residents of:
We also provide mobile hearing services to:
Retirement villages | Aged care facilities | Nursing homes | Community centers
Contact us about bringing hearing tests to your facility.
Ready to Check Your Hearing?
Don't let hearing concerns go unaddressed. Book your comprehensive hearing assessment at Sense of Hearing Clinic in Berwick today. Early detection leads to better outcomes.
Open Monday, Thursday, Friday: 9am - 5pm