Can You Hear Me Now: Hearing Loss and Talking on the Phone

Ealing Hearing Centre • February 21, 2023

If you’re struggling with hearing loss, you may find yourself talking less and less on the phone. It’s not because you don’t want to, but hearing what the other person is saying can be frustrating and tiring.


Telephone conversations are wonderful ways to stay in touch with family and friends or for official communication—so don’t give up on the phone yet. We have some tips to help you maintain touch over the phone.


●    Learn which ear hears better and use it. If you wear hearing aids, place the phone close to the microphone. Hearing aid models placed behind your ears may require you to place the phone a little above your ear.

 

●    Find a quieter environment. Busy or noisy environments are distracting and may take your focus away from the conversation. Move to a quieter place and if you’re at home, turn off electronics like your TV, radio, microwave, washing machine, or dishwasher.


●    Be honest. Powering through conversations that you don’t understand may lead to miscommunication. Don’t feel awkward or embarrassed about letting the other person know you experience reduced hearing. Ask them to repeat or slow down.

 

●    Work with a landline. They often have better sound quality compared to cellular phones, making them easier to hear on. When a landline is not an option, invest in an amplified phone or headset that amplifies sound and isolates the other person’s voice.

 

●    Embrace technology. With Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, you’re likely to listen in clearly, and with both ears too. Newer aids contain a special feature that helps reduce background noise to improve clarity


Talking to Someone with Hearing Impairment


We all love quick and easygoing conversations where our listeners hear and respond just as fast as we do. This presents a challenge when conversing with someone who’s struggling with a hearing impairment. It’s in circumstances like these that empathy and respect are crucial to keeping the conversation going.


Here are a few top tips!


●    Speak clearly. Use full sentences to communicate and steer clear of jargon or acronyms that may confuse the listener.


●    Use a normal pace. If you go too fast, they may not follow, while speaking too slowly may feel demeaning. You may want to incorporate short pauses in the conversation rather than slow speech.


●    Ask the listener to repeat what you said. This is especially helpful when passing along critical information so you know they caught everything. Be patient even when you have to repeat information.


●    Announce when you’re changing the topic. Otherwise, they may struggle to connect what you’re saying now with what you said before.


Get in touch with Sid, Sukhina and the team for more top hearing tips!

Microsuction Ear Wax Removal in Ealing – A Complete Guide to Your Appointment

By Aarti Raicha • September 22, 2025
Ear wax isn’t a bad thing; in fact, it protects your ears. But when it builds up too much, it can cause problems. People often notice muffled hearing, dizziness, or even a full “blocked” sensation that doesn’t go away. A 2020 study published in the British Journal of General Practice found that dizziness and reduced hearing were the most common complaints in patients with impacted ear wax. The study also noted that community clinics (such as local hearing centres) play a vital role in making ear care accessible, avoiding long waits for hospital treatment. So, if you’re in Ealing and struggling with blocked ears, microsuction is one of the safest and quickest ways to get relief. But what actually happens when you book? Let’s walk through it step by step. What Exactly Is Microsuction? Microsuction is a method of clearing wax from the ear canal using a tiny suction device. It’s done under direct vision with a microscope, so the specialist can see exactly what’s happening inside your ear. If you’ve ever had syringing before (where water is pushed into the ear), you’ll know it can feel a bit messy. Microsuction is different: no water, no flushing — just careful, precise removal. That’s why many hearing-care professionals now recommend it over older methods. Why So Many People Choose Microsuction in Ealing More people in Ealing are choosing microsuction because it works — and quickly. A study of 159 patients found that microsuction successfully cleared wax in 91% of cases. There can be mild side effects. Around 55% of patients reported dizziness, temporary reduced hearing, or that sounds were unusually loud during the procedure; however, most of these effects were short-lived. Importantly, using softening drops before treatment made the experience more comfortable for many people. What makes it appealing for people in Ealing is the balance of safety and convenience. Because no water is used, the risk of infection is lower, and appointments are usually completed in under 30 minutes, making it easy to fit into a lunch break or busy schedule. Getting Ready for Your Appointment The great thing about microsuction is that it doesn’t need much preparation. In most cases, you can simply book and attend your appointment. Sometimes, your audiologist might suggest using olive oil drops for a few days to soften the wax, but it isn’t always necessary. A couple of tips before you go: Bring along any details about past ear problems or surgery. Take your hearing aids with you if you use them so they can be checked once the wax is removed. And most importantly, don’t worry. The process is very easy, and most people are surprised at how quick it feels. Your audiologist won’t just dive in; they’ll explain each step so you’re comfortable. What Happens During the Appointment

Hearing Tests in Stanmore: Why They Matter More Than You Think

By Aarti Raicha • September 6, 2025
When was the last time you had your hearing checked? If you’re like most people, the answer is either never or a very long time ago. We’re good at booking regular eye tests, keeping up with dental check-ups, even tracking blood pressure. But hearing? That often slips to the bottom of the list. Part of the problem is that hearing changes usually sneak up on you. You don’t wake up one morning unable to hear. It’s slower, subtler. The TV creeps up a notch. You catch yourself asking “pardon?” more often. In a noisy café, you might laugh along even though you miss half the conversation. Little by little, those changes add up and before long, friends or family are pointing it out. That’s exactly why hearing tests in Stanmore matter. One quick, painless check can pick up changes before you even realize they’re there. Why Hearing Tests Matter Hearing loss doesn’t just mean “turning the volume up.” It touches everything. Suddenly conversations in a busy café feel like hard work. Nights out or family dinners leave you more drained than they used to. Some people even start avoiding those situations altogether, just to make life easier. And here’s something many people don’t realize: your brain is involved in hearing just as much as your ears are. When your ears miss part of a word, your brain scrambles to fill in the gaps. Do that all day, every day, and it’s exhausting. Over years, that constant strain can affect memory and has even been linked to dementia. Lucky for you, you don’t have to wait until it gets to that point. What to Expect at a Hearing Test

The Most Common Earwax Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

By Aarti Raicha • August 22, 2025
Earwax doesn’t get much credit. Most of the time, you don’t think about it at all until it causes trouble. But this sticky little substance is more than just an annoyance. It’s a built-in security guard for your ear, trapping dust, dirt, and bacteria before they reach deeper parts of the ear. Usually, it takes care of itself and works its way out naturally when you chew or talk. But sometimes, that system stalls. Instead of working its way out, earwax can sometimes build up inside. When this happens, many people mistake these symptoms for something else, such as age-related hearing changes, a lingering sinus problem, or just “one of those things” you live with. But being able to spot these symptoms early can save you from a lot of discomfort and, in some cases, prevent more serious issues. 6 Common Symptoms of Earwax Build-up If you’ve ever wondered whether that odd feeling in your ear is worth checking, here are the most likely signs you’re dealing with more than just a little wax. 1. Muffled or Reduced Hearing When wax blocks the ear canal, it stops sound waves from getting to your eardrum. Imagine trying to listen to music with a thick scarf wrapped around your ears; the sound is there, but it’s just dulled. Unlike age-related hearing loss, which creeps in slowly, a wax blockage can happen overnight. And the best part? Once it’s cleared, your hearing usually snaps back to normal instantly. 2. Earache or Odd Discomfort Not every earache means an infection. Hardened wax pressing against the walls of the ear canal can be surprisingly uncomfortable. Sometimes it’s a dull ache that comes and goes. Other times it’s sharper, especially after a swim or shower when water gets trapped behind the blockage. If the pain is constant or severe, don’t just put up with it. Earwax might be the issue, but infections and other conditions can cause similar pain, and those need treatment too. 3. That Itch You Can’t Scratch We all get the occasional itch inside our ear. But if you feel like you’re constantly reaching for a cotton bud, something’s off. Wax that’s dried out or stuck can irritate the sensitive skin in your ear canal, triggering the itch. Here’s the kicker: using a cotton bud might feel like a relief, but it usually pushes the wax deeper. That makes the problem worse, not better.