Where to go with hearing problems

[HoleInBucket]

My mum thinks her hearing is dull in one ear. She said she would like to make an appointment in specsavers. I would presume the first port of call would be the GP. I rang the GP practice but they don't do hearing tests. Where should my mum go to? Should she go to her GP with perhaps a referral to an ear, nose and throat specialist in the outpatients department or should she being going to specsavers for a hearing test?

Any help greatly appreciated.

I’d go to Specsavers

Thanks for the reply. You definitely wouldn't think of going to specsavers if you have a problem with your hearing.

The GP should do a referral for a hearing test!
I have been in and out of hearing aids since very young, and always got seen at a clinic at a hospital but the GP should refer
I just worry about your mum getting ripped offf if she needs hearing aid cos she would be entitled to them on the nhs (usually fitted same day as your appointment these days if you need them)

Specsavers do NHS hearing tests and aides.

In a lot of areas you can self refer to audiology, or ask your gp for a referral to audiology

Oh fair enough I did not know that. I just seen their adverts with the ones costing lots of money

Some GPs are shit
She needs to go to the GP to say she needs a referral to have a hearing test
Because she thinks she needs it
And make sure he does
Then when she gets one at the hospital they'll be able to tell properly about her ears

Specsavers are useless, told me my hearing was fine even though I was diagnosed with hearing loss as a child.

Thank you so much for the replies. I will recommend for her going to the GP who will hopefully refer her onwards.

To be honest, my main worry is covid. The GP practice is in the locality where as the nearest specsavers is in the city and there is so much risk going into the city during these covid times. She hasn't been vaccinated yet. I will tell mum that her first port should be the GP.

I got a referral to Specsavers via a phone appointment with a GP, but some areas let you self-refer - have a look on your NHS trust website, or I think there may be a tool on the Specsavers website where you put in your postcode and it tells you if you can self-refer. Other audiologists are available .

I found specsavers to be useless. They missed an eye disease in my mother that was only picked up by the GP, so I know why she wants to rush back to specsavers to check her hearing. I think the first port should be the GP in case it's something simple like eardrops or a syringing that is needed.

Ask gp for referral to local nhs audiology dept. Probably at her nearest hospital. They provide an excellent service. You leave with an aid if needed the same day as your first appointment in most cases. Free aid and free batteries. Very often the exact same aid as at specsavers. Also free maintenance.

Specsavers (and Boots) do hearing tests and sell hearing aids at extortionate prices.
The GP can refer her to audiology at the hospital who will conduct hearing tests, give advice and free hearing aids if needed.

I did this last year though the wrong way round. I had a test at Boots who confirmed hearing loss and talked me through the options.
I then rang the GP, asked for a referral to audiology and a few weeks later I got hearing aids. I decided to try the NHS ones first and go for private if I thought it necessary.
There is a certain amount of upkeep / maintenance which is also free on the NHS. Many people don't get on with them and they get left in a drawer so not worth a big investment until you are sure.

Thank you so much for all of the replies. I will steer Mum towards the GP. I think the GP is the safest option for now and hopefully she won't be waiting long to be seen in the ears, nose and throat department in the local hospital. Hopefully the covid situation will be better too when she is seen. My main concern is that covid cases is high and I am afraid that she is putting herself at risk right by going down the specsavers route. I read about a lady who contracted the virus at an eye appointment. I think with healthcare workers now vaccinated the hospital and audiology department will be the safest option.

She can hear and hold a conversation well by the way so the hearing is not too bad.

GP first definitely. Either an ENT referral if they think there is an issue or Audiology hearing aid service if that's what she needs. All free and really quick for my DM even during Covid

Would it be worth trying ear drops for three weeks and seeing if any difference? You could collect them for her at a pharmacy or large supermarket?

If she needs her ears syringed that’s what the doctor will tell her to do anyway.

It could rule out earwax and if it has been that then she won’t have to go to the gp or anywhere as she will hear better by then?

Eardrops are a great idea. I will get some eardrops in the morning at the pharmacy

Sorry for the late reply. How is your mom doing? Did she try eardrops? To be honest, I wouldn't recommend using any eardrops without a doctor's prescription. I had a great experience with a hearing aids staten island clinic. The doctors are competent there. They thoroughly tested my hearing and helped me choose proper hearing aids. By the way, it is possible to take an online hearing test on their website.