Looking for a hearing test and you live in Clontarf? Hearing Help is an independent audiology clinic offering comprehensive diagnostic hearing assessments for adults across the Redcliffe Peninsula and Moreton Bay region.
The Value of Independent Audiology
When you visit an independent audiologist like Hearing Help, you benefit from something that is not always available at larger chain providers: the undivided attention of a practitioner who is not tied to any single product range or commercial arrangement. The assessment is conducted at a proper pace, the results are explained clearly, and any recommendations that follow are shaped by what genuinely suits you.
This matters particularly for Clontarf residents who may be approaching a hearing assessment for the first time and want to feel properly informed rather than processed. Our approach is straightforward: we answer your questions honestly, explain what we find, and let you decide what to do next.
A Full Diagnostic Hearing Assessment — What It Involves
A comprehensive hearing assessment at Hearing Help covers every clinically relevant component of adult hearing evaluation. Most appointments take between 60 and 90 minutes.
Comprehensive case history. Your audiologist begins by taking a thorough history. This includes occupational noise exposure, recreational noise (live music, power tools, firearms), relevant medical conditions, medications, and the situations in everyday life where you are noticing difficulty. Understanding your history is as important as the test results themselves.
Otoscopy. Before audiometric testing, both ear canals and eardrums are examined using a lighted instrument. Wax impaction, foreign material, or changes to the eardrum can affect test accuracy and may require attention in their own right.
Pure-tone audiometry (air conduction). Wearing headphones in a sound-treated space, you respond to tones at different pitches and volumes. The quietest level at which you detect each tone is recorded as your threshold for that frequency. These thresholds, plotted across the range of frequencies important for speech (approximately 250 Hz to 8000 Hz), form your audiogram.
Pure-tone audiometry (bone conduction). A vibrator placed on the mastoid bone behind the ear bypasses the outer and middle ear to stimulate the cochlea directly. The difference between air conduction and bone conduction thresholds — if there is one — tells the audiologist a great deal about where in the auditory system any hearing loss originates.
Speech audiometry. Recorded word lists presented at a comfortable level allow the audiologist to measure how well you distinguish between similar-sounding words. Speech discrimination is one of the most practically relevant indicators of how hearing loss affects communication.
Immittance testing (tympanometry and acoustic reflexes). These tests assess the mechanical function of the middle ear and the integrity of the acoustic reflex pathway. They are brief, comfortable, and clinically informative.
Full results review. Your audiologist discusses every finding with you, explains what the audiogram shows, answers your questions, and outlines any recommended next steps — with no pressure to make decisions immediately.
Who Should Be Assessed?
Adults of many different backgrounds and ages can benefit from a hearing assessment. In particular, it is worth booking if you:
Are over 50 and have no documented baseline audiogram
Have spent significant time in noisy work environments without consistent hearing protection
Are experiencing tinnitus — ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears — for the first time or at increasing intensity
Notice that you frequently misunderstand speech, particularly on the telephone or in rooms with background noise
Feel that you are watching people's faces more than you used to in order to follow conversations
Have recently had an ear infection, sudden hearing change, or a period of dizziness
Clontarf residents with any of the above experiences are welcome to contact Hearing Help to discuss whether an assessment is appropriate.
Australian Government Hearing Services Program
The Hearing Services Program (HSP) is a Commonwealth-funded scheme that provides eligible Australians with access to hearing assessments and, where clinically appropriate, subsidised hearing devices. Conditions apply under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program.
Eligibility typically includes holders of a Pensioner Concession Card, a DVA Gold or White Card (for listed conditions), and certain other Commonwealth health concession cards. Australian citizens and permanent residents who meet additional referral criteria may also be eligible.
Hearing Help is a registered HSP provider. Clontarf residents who may qualify are encouraged to ask about the program when making their booking enquiry. Our team will confirm eligibility before the appointment.
After Your Assessment
The hearing assessment produces a clear, documented record of your hearing. That record is yours to keep and useful regardless of the outcome.
If your hearing falls within the normal range, you have a baseline for future reference and the reassurance of knowing your current status. If hearing loss is identified, your audiologist will explain the type and degree in plain terms and discuss what that means for your specific communication needs.
Where hearing aids are an appropriate option, Hearing Help works with devices from a range of manufacturers across different technology levels and styles — receiver-in-canal, behind-the-ear, and in-the-ear options among them. Recommendations are based on your audiogram and your life, not on what happens to be in stock.
Where a medical cause is suspected or confirmed, a referral to an ear, nose, and throat specialist will be arranged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hearing assessment through Medicare? There is currently no Medicare rebate for standard audiological assessment for adults. However, eligible clients can access subsidised services through the Australian Government Hearing Services Program, and private health extras cover may also apply. Conditions apply under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program.
How often should I have my hearing checked? If you have normal hearing and are aged 50 to 60, every two to three years is a reasonable interval. Over 65, annual or biennial checks are often recommended. If hearing loss has already been identified, your audiologist will advise on the appropriate review frequency.
What is the difference between a hearing screening and a hearing assessment? A screening is a quick pass/fail check that identifies whether further testing is needed. A full diagnostic assessment, like those performed at Hearing Help, provides detailed, frequency-specific information about your hearing and the information needed to make clinical decisions.
Make an Appointment
Clontarf residents are welcome to contact Hearing Help to book a comprehensive hearing assessment. We are here to help you understand your hearing and make informed decisions.