Hearing Tests and Assessments in Canungra
Hearing changes can happen gradually, and many people don’t notice until it starts affecting conversations and everyday life. A hearing check is a simple way to find out how your hearing is doing. At Canungra Town Medical Centre, we provide hearing assessments and support your hearing health, and where more specialised care is needed, we can arrange a referral to an audiologist or ear specialist.
Signs You Might Have Hearing Loss
Hearing loss often develops slowly. You might benefit from a hearing check if you:
- Often ask people to repeat themselves
- Turn the TV or radio up louder than others prefer
- Find it hard to follow conversations in noisy places
- Feel that people seem to mumble
- Have ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus)
- Struggle to hear on the phone
- Feel tired or left out after social situations because of the effort to hear
If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth getting your hearing checked.
- Ask about your medical history, sun exposure, and any personal or family history of skin cancer, as these affect your individual risk.
- Examine your skin from head to toe, including areas that are easy to miss yourself.
- Use a dermatoscope, a handheld magnifying device with a light, to look more closely at any spots of concern. This is painless and non-invasive.
- Discuss anything you’ve noticed or are worried about, so it’s a good idea to point out any spots you’d like checked.
If a spot needs monitoring, your doctor may photograph it so it can be compared over time. If a spot looks suspicious, your doctor will talk you through the recommended next steps, which may include a biopsy or removal for further testing.
What a Hearing Assessment Involves
A hearing check is straightforward and painless. Depending on your needs, it may include:
- A discussion about your hearing, history, and any concerns
- An examination of your ears (for example, to check for earwax or infection)
- Hearing assessment to gauge how well you’re hearing
- Advice on the next steps, which may include referral to an audiologist for detailed testing or hearing-aid assessment if appropriate
Your doctor will explain what the results mean and talk through your options.
Hearing Care for All Ages
Hearing matters at every age. For children, hearing is important for speech, learning, and development, and we can assess concerns and refer for specialised paediatric hearing testing where needed. For adults and older patients, regular checks help catch age-related hearing changes early, when support can make the most difference.
Funding and the Hearing Services Program
The Australian Government Hearing Services Program provides subsidised hearing assessments and, for eligible people, hearing devices. Eligibility generally includes pensioner concession card holders, veterans, and some other groups. If you think you may be eligible, our team can talk you through it and help with the right pathway.
Know What to Look For: The SCAN Guide
Between professional checks, it’s helpful to get to know your own skin so you can spot changes early. The Skin Cancer College Australasia promotes the simple “SCAN your skin” guide. See your doctor if a spot is:
- Sore: scaly, itchy, bleeding, or tender, and doesn’t heal within six weeks.
- Changing: in size, shape, or colour.
- Abnormal: looks, feels, or stands out as different from your other spots.
- New: has appeared recently, especially if you are over 40.
A home check is not a substitute for a professional skin examination, but it does help you notice changes worth getting checked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common signs include frequently asking people to repeat themselves, turning the TV up, struggling to follow conversations in noisy places, and ringing in the ears. If you notice these, a hearing check is a good idea.
You can talk to your GP about your hearing without a referral. If detailed audiology testing or hearing-aid assessment is needed, your doctor can arrange the appropriate referral.
Eligible people, including many pensioner concession card holders and veterans, can access subsidised hearing services through the Australian Government Hearing Services Program. Our team can help you understand your eligibility.
It usually involves a chat about your hearing, an examination of your ears, and a hearing assessment, followed by advice on next steps. It’s quick and painless.
Yes, we can assess hearing concerns in children and refer for specialised paediatric hearing testing where needed.