Hearing Tests for Over-65s: Why They Matter and What’s Included
If you are over 65, the single most useful thing you can do for your hearing is to have it checked properly. According to RNID, the UK’s national hearing loss charity, more than half of adults over 55 have some degree of hearing loss, rising to around eight in ten of those over 70 — and because it develops so gradually, many people do not notice, or put off doing anything about it.
Quick answer: our complete hearing assessment is £59 at all four of our clinics — Wimbledon, Teddington, Wallington and Addiscombe. It takes around 45 minutes, your results are explained the same day, and there is no obligation to buy hearing aids or anything else afterwards. Book online or call 020 8150 7178.
Why hearing tests matter more after 65
Hearing loss is one of the few health conditions people routinely wait years to act on. It rarely arrives suddenly — it is usually a slow fade, and it is often family members or friends who notice first, long before the person themselves feels ready to admit it. Because age-related hearing loss becomes so much more common after 65, we would rather remove any reason not to get checked. A test takes under an hour and gives you a clear, honest answer either way.
Sometimes the result is simply “your hearing is fine, come back in a year or two.” Sometimes it flags earwax as the culprit, which is easily fixed. And sometimes it is the first step towards addressing genuine hearing loss. All three outcomes are useful to know.
What’s included in the £59 assessment
This is not a quick screening — it is the full hearing assessment we run for every patient:
- A short conversation about your hearing history, any specific difficulties, and relevant medical background
- A careful examination of your ear canals and eardrums, including a look for earwax build-up
- Pure-tone audiometry, testing how well you hear across a range of frequencies and volumes
- Your results explained in plain English on the spot, with a written report and your audiogram to keep
- Honest, personalised recommendations — whether that is “nothing to do,” a wax removal appointment, or a conversation about hearing aids
Appointments run around 45 minutes and there is never any pressure to decide anything on the day. You can read more on our hearing test page.
How to book
Book via our appointments page or by phone on 020 8150 7178. We see patients at Wimbledon (Monday to Friday), Teddington (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday), Wallington (Tuesday to Saturday) and Addiscombe (Thursdays). If getting to a clinic is difficult, we also offer home-visit hearing tests for £89 near our four clinics. You can see all four clinics on our locations page.
What happens if we find something during the test
If the examination shows a build-up of earwax, that alone can account for muffled hearing, and it is a separate, straightforward fix. Ear wax removal is £60 for one ear or £80 for both — and both ears are £60 with code 20OFF at Wimbledon, Wallington and Addiscombe. If we look and do not find any wax, there is a £20 consultation fee for that appointment. We have written more on the different removal methods in our guides to microsuction vs syringing vs ear drops and choosing a wax removal clinic you can trust.
If the test points to genuine hearing loss, we will talk you through what that means and what your options are — with no pressure either way. Where hearing aids are appropriate, we fit Phonak, Signia, Oticon and Widex devices, starting from £798 for a single aid or £1,695 for a pair, and every pair comes with a seven-day home trial and four years of unlimited aftercare. You can see full pricing on our hearing aid prices page.
Should you book a hearing test?
It is worth booking if any of the following sound familiar:
- You (or people around you) have noticed the TV or radio volume creeping up
- You find yourself asking people to repeat themselves, especially in groups or restaurants
- Phone calls feel harder to follow than they used to
- You have noticed ringing, buzzing or humming in your ears — see our tinnitus page for more on this
- It has been more than a year or two since your hearing was last checked
Frequently asked questions
How much does a hearing test cost?
Our complete hearing assessment is £59 at all four clinics — Wimbledon, Teddington, Wallington and Addiscombe. There is no obligation to buy hearing aids or book any further appointment.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly online or by phone. If the results suggest anything that needs medical attention, we will say so and can provide a written report to share with your GP.
What happens after the test if I do need hearing aids?
We explain the options honestly, including cost, and there is no pressure to decide on the day. If you would like to go ahead, we fit Phonak, Signia, Oticon and Widex hearing aids from £798 for a single aid, every pair with a seven-day home trial and four years of unlimited aftercare included.
Can you test my hearing at home?
Yes. We offer home-visit hearing tests for £89 near our four clinics, with a call-out charge only further afield.
Hearing tests in Wimbledon, Teddington, Wallington and Addiscombe
Our four clinics sit within easy reach of South West London and North Surrey — useful whether you are coming from Wimbledon village, Teddington, Wallington town centre, or over towards Croydon and Addiscombe. If you are unsure which clinic is most convenient, our locations page has addresses, opening times and directions for all four sites.
If any of this sounds like it applies to you, or to a parent or relative, a £59 hearing test is a low-effort way to get a clear answer. Book your appointment or call 020 8150 7178.
