Hearing Loss
Sounds becoming muffled, struggling to follow conversation, or a sudden drop in hearing — what it is, why it happens, and how we can help.
Hearing loss is any reduction in how well you hear — from sound becoming muffled or harder to follow, through to a sudden drop in hearing in one or both ears.
It's very common, and the right step depends entirely on the cause. Some forms are simple to put right — a blocked ear from wax, for instance — while a sudden loss is treated as urgent. The reassuring part is that a consultant assessment can quickly tell which kind you have, and what can be done about it.
Symptoms of hearing loss.
Hearing loss often comes on so gradually that family or friends notice it before you do — though it can also happen suddenly.
Why it happens.
Hearing loss has many possible causes, and pinning down which one you have is the key to treating it well. Some are easily reversible; others need specialist care.
Don't wait for it to settle.
Early assessment helps you get the right treatment sooner. See a specialist if:
Confirmed with an ear examination and hearing tests.
Hearing loss is assessed by Mr Huw Jones, Consultant ENT Surgeon, who examines the ear and arranges hearing tests to measure exactly how and where the hearing is affected. Where a closer look is helpful, an endoscopic examination lets the consultant inspect the ear canal and eardrum in detail. Together these pinpoint the cause — wax, fluid, age-related or nerve-related change — so the right treatment can be chosen.
How hearing loss is treated.
Treatment depends entirely on the cause — so we start by finding that, then choose the least invasive option that fits.
When a build-up of wax is the cause, removing it in clinic can restore hearing straight away — often the simplest fix of all.
A detailed look inside the ear canal and at the eardrum, to find the cause precisely when a standard examination isn't conclusive.
For sudden (nerve-related) hearing loss, steroid is delivered directly to the inner ear. Treated promptly, this is the established approach; your consultant may advise a short course.
For age-related and other long-standing hearing loss, your consultant will explain what's behind it and discuss the right support and next steps for you.
Seen in days — not months on a list.
A named specialist, not a junior — all the way through.
Every price published and confirmed in writing.
Seen privately, without the wait.
We bill major UK insurers directly.
Is sudden hearing loss an emergency? +
It's treated as urgent. A sudden drop in hearing, especially in one ear, should be assessed quickly — early treatment gives the best chance of recovery, so it's well worth being seen without delay rather than waiting to see if it settles.
Can hearing loss from earwax be reversed? +
Often, yes. When a build-up of wax is blocking the ear, removing it in clinic can restore hearing straight away. It's one of the simplest and most common causes to put right, which is why an examination is the first step.
How is hearing loss diagnosed? +
Mr Huw Jones examines the ear and arranges hearing tests to measure how and where your hearing is affected. Where a closer look helps, an endoscopic examination inspects the ear canal and eardrum in detail, so the cause can be pinned down accurately.
How much does an ENT assessment for hearing loss cost? +
An initial consultation with the consultant ENT surgeon is £200 and includes an ear examination and hearing tests. Earwax removal is £100 and an endoscopic examination is £390 where needed. The cost of any further treatment is confirmed individually after your assessment.
Don't put up with it.
Book an assessment with a consultant and get a clear picture — and a plan.