A hearing assessment with us is not a quick pass-or-fail test. We take 60 to 90 minutes because understanding your hearing properly takes time. We look at how well you hear across different pitches, how well you understand speech in both quiet and noisy settings, and whether amplification would genuinely help you. You leave with a clear picture of your hearing and a straight answer about what, if anything, to do next. We carry out assessments at all three of our Northern Rivers clinics in Casino, Woodburn and Alstonville, and no referral is needed.
Get in touch and we will find you a time that suits at your local clinic.
A full assessment covers an examination of your ears, air and bone conduction audiometry to measure the softest sounds you can hear and pinpoint where any hearing loss is coming from, speech testing to see how well you understand words rather than just detect tones, and tympanometry and acoustic reflexes to check how your eardrum and middle ear are working. We also take time to understand your lifestyle, so any recommendations fit how you actually live. We explain each result as we go, so you leave understanding what we found and why it matters.
At the end of your assessment we go through your audiogram, the chart that maps your hearing, with you. We explain what the results show in plain terms: whether you have hearing loss, how much, whether it affects one ear or both, and what is likely behind it. Some hearing loss is simply down to age or noise exposure over the years; some has a cause worth following up with your GP. Whatever we find, you leave with a clear understanding of your hearing and an honest recommendation, not a sales pitch.
Tinnitus, the experience of hearing ringing, buzzing or other sounds that are not coming from outside, can be distracting and distressing, and it often goes hand in hand with hearing changes. We provide support for managing it, starting with a proper assessment to understand what is happening. From there our approach includes education about why tinnitus occurs, practical coping strategies, and device-based solutions where they are appropriate. The goal is to reduce the impact tinnitus has on your daily life.
Because we are independent, we have no reason to recommend hearing aids unless they will genuinely help you. If your assessment shows that amplification is the right step, we will guide you through your options. If it shows that you do not need aids, we will tell you that just as clearly. Either way, you get the truth.
No. You can book an assessment with us directly. If you have private health insurance, a referral may help with rebates, so check with your fund, but it is not required to see us.
Between 60 and 90 minutes. We take the time to test your hearing thoroughly and to explain your results properly, rather than rushing you through.
We examine your ears, then measure how well you hear across different pitches and how well you understand speech, including in background noise. We also check how your eardrum and middle ear are working. We talk you through each step and explain your results at the end.
Not necessarily. The point of an assessment is to find out. Because we are independent, we only recommend hearing aids if they will genuinely help. If you do not need them, we will tell you.
Yes. We start with a proper assessment to understand what is happening, then offer education, practical coping strategies, and device-based solutions where appropriate, to reduce the impact tinnitus has on your daily life.
If you have noticed changes, book in now rather than waiting. Otherwise, a check every few years is reasonable for most adults, and more often if you work in noise or already wear hearing aids.
We carry out hearing assessments at all three clinics: Casino, at Riverside Family Practice on Richmond Street; Woodburn, at the Woodburn Health Clinic on Richmond Street; and Alstonville, on Main Street (access via Daley Street). You can read more about each location, including how to book, on our Casino, Woodburn and Alstonville pages.
