Where to get free hearing tests in Solihull

Why does our hearing get worse as we get older?

The reason for hearing loss can be as simple as hair cells wearing out, the ear drum thickening, or the structure of the inner ear deteriorating – all pretty common with age. However certain medical conditions can cause hearing loss so it’s worth finding out how good or bad your hearing really is, what’s causing the problem, and what you can do about it.

Free hearing tests in Solihull

• Boots Hearing Care, at Boots Opticians in Mill Lane, Solihull or at the large Boots store at the retail park in Shirley can help with personalised solutions and support. Visit their Hearing Care website, enter your preferred location, and book a day and time that suits you.
• The audiologists at Specsavers on the Stratford Road in Shirley will test your hearing to find out how well you can hear and if you would benefit from having hearing aids. They also have a Solihull Hearing Centre on Drury Lane, Solihull which is accredited by the NHS.
• Hidden Hearing on Station Road in Solihull can help with free hearing tests in Solihull too. And if you discover you do need a hearing aid, they have a wide range of options available including behind-the ear, in-ear, Bluetooth, invisible, rechargeable, and spectacle hearing aids.
• The Hearing Care Partnership is located in Walford & Round opticians on the Warwick Road in Solihull. As well as offering free hearing assessments, they can also help with hearing aids and ear wax removal.
• Sutton and Solihull Hearing Centres have a branch on Solihull High Street where they offer free hearing tests. If you can’t make it into their store, they can offer at-home appointments for £50, although this is refunded if you purchase hearing aids with them after your test.
• Amplifon on Station Road in Solihull recommend that those aged 50 and over should have their hearing checked regularly. As well as offering free hearing tests in Solihull, they also offer a free 14 day hearing aid trial.
• Isabella Fisher Independent Hearing Care in Knowle’s free hearing tests include a full audiometric hearing test, to allow them to understand the extent of your hearing loss and your needs, so they can offer you the best professional advice.
• The Ear & Hearing Clinic, based on Station Road in Solihull, offer free hearing tests in Solihull from the comfort of your own home, which is perfect for those who have limited mobility or who are anxious about going out.

How does a hearing test work?

You’ll be asked to wear a set of headphones, and then an audiologist will check your level of hearing by playing sounds at different pitches – you’ll need to press a button every time you hear a sound. As a separate experiment you’ll then wear a special type of headband that will test your hearing through vibrations. Some audiologists will also use tiny cameras to check your ear canals and ear drums.

What if you need heading aids?

If the audiologist feels that hearing aids would help you, they will discuss your options with you and may need to take a mould of your ear canal to ensure a perfect fit – this is painless and should only takes about 5 minutes. Usually your new hearing aids can be fitted on the same day as your test and programmed to your specific needs.