Specialist Hearing Services
Comprehensive hearing care, diagnostics, and personalised rehabilitation — all under one roof. From your first hearing test to long-term support, our experienced audiologists are here to help.
Everything We Offer
Evidence-based assessment and treatment tailored to your individual needs. Click any service to learn more.
Adult Hearing Assessments
Comprehensive diagnostic hearing tests for adults — including ear examination, middle ear function, air and bone-conduction testing, and specialist assessments. Medicare rebates available.
Learn more →Hearing Aids & Devices
Independent advice, fitting, and ongoing support across all major hearing aid brands. No manufacturer affiliations — just the right device for you at a fair price.
Learn more →Ear Wax Removal
Safe, gentle micro-suction and ear curette wax removal — the same techniques used by ENT specialists. No syringing, no pressure on the eardrum.
Learn more →Cochlear Implants
End-to-end cochlear implant services — from candidacy assessment and pre-implant counselling through to post-surgery fitting, mapping, rehabilitation, and upgrades.
Learn more →Paediatric Hearing Assessments
Child-friendly, age-appropriate hearing assessments for children and babies from 9 months to 15 years — using Visual Reinforcement Audiometry, Play Audiometry, and Pure Tone testing.
Learn more →Hearing Protection
Custom and non-custom hearing protection for musicians, workers, shooters, and swimmers. Protect your hearing before damage occurs — prevention is the only real cure.
Learn more →Tinnitus Assessment & Management
Evidence-based tinnitus assessment and management — including Tinnitus Retraining Therapy, sound enrichment, counselling, and referral to other professionals as needed.
Learn more →APD Assessments
Comprehensive Auditory Processing Disorder assessments for children from age 5 and adults up to 65. APD affects how the brain processes sound — not hearing sensitivity itself.
Learn more →Workplace Hearing Screenings
WHS-compliant hearing screenings for employees in noisy workplaces — at our clinic or on-site at your business. Full written reports provided. Bulk discounts for 5+ employees.
Learn more →Hearing Aid Maintenance, Repairs & Parts: We provide professional servicing, cleaning, and repairs for all major hearing aid brands. Replacement parts and batteries are available in-clinic — or can be ordered for pick-up within a few business days.
How We Hear
The ear is a remarkably clever and complex organ. Understanding how it works helps explain what can go wrong — and how we can help.
The Outer Ear
The outer ear includes the pinna (the visible part) and the ear canal. The pinna acts like a funnel, collecting sound and directing it into the ear canal — and helping your brain work out where sounds are coming from.
The ear canal carries sound toward the eardrum. Tiny hairs and ear wax (cerumen) help protect the ear by trapping dust, dirt, and foreign objects.
- Pinna — collects and directs sound
- Ear canal — carries sound to the eardrum
- Ear wax — protective barrier
The Middle Ear
The middle ear sits just behind the eardrum and contains three tiny bones called the ossicles. When sound reaches the eardrum, it causes it to vibrate — these vibrations are passed along the ossicles, which amplify the sound and send it into the inner ear.
- Eardrum — vibrates in response to sound
- Malleus (hammer) — first ossicle
- Incus (anvil) — second ossicle
- Stapes (stirrup) — connects to inner ear
The Inner Ear
The inner ear contains the cochlea (for hearing) and the balance system. The cochlea is a small, snail-shaped fluid-filled structure. Sound vibrations move through the fluid and stimulate tiny hair cells — different cells respond to different pitches.
When hair cells are stimulated, they convert vibrations into electrical signals that travel along the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound.
- Cochlea — converts vibration to signal
- Hair cells — detect different pitches
- Auditory nerve — sends signals to brain
Australians currently affected by hearing loss — making it one of the most common chronic health conditions in the country.
Australians expected to have hearing loss by 2050, driven by noise exposure and an ageing population.
The earlier hearing loss is identified and treated, the better the outcomes — for communication, cognition, and quality of life.
Understanding Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can affect people in different ways depending on where the problem occurs in the hearing system. Here are the most common types.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
This occurs when there is damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the hearing nerve. The tiny hair cells inside the cochlea pick up sound vibrations — if they are damaged, sound becomes unclear or softer.
Common symptoms:
- Speech sounds muffled or unclear
- Difficulty hearing in noisy environments
- Needing to increase TV or phone volume
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Common causes:
- Age-related changes (gradual wear on hair cells)
- Noise exposure — loud music, power tools, firearms
- Medical conditions, genetics, certain medications
"Hidden" Hearing Loss
This type of hearing damage is mild and may not show up on a standard hearing test — yet it significantly impacts everyday listening.
People with hidden hearing loss often:
- Hear fine in quiet environments
- Struggle to understand speech in noise
- Find group conversations exhausting
- Have been told their hearing test is "normal"
It is commonly linked to long-term noise exposure and is best identified through specialist speech-in-noise testing — which we offer at Canberra Audiology.
Auditory Processing Difficulties
This is not a problem with the ears themselves, but with how the brain processes sound. Even when a standard hearing test is normal, a person may have significant difficulty with everyday listening.
Common difficulties include:
- Understanding speech in background noise
- Following spoken instructions accurately
- Keeping up with fast conversations
- Learning in noisy classroom environments
More commonly identified in children, but adults can also have auditory processing difficulties — often without ever receiving a formal diagnosis.
Improving Your Hearing
The good news is that most types of hearing loss are highly manageable. With the right support, most people are able to significantly improve how they hear and communicate day-to-day.
Hearing Aids
Modern hearing aids are discreet, comfortable, and far more advanced than most people expect. They can be customised to your specific hearing profile and lifestyle — our audiologists will help you find the right fit without any brand bias.
Learn about hearing aids →Cochlear Implants
For people with severe or profound hearing loss who don't benefit from hearing aids, a cochlear implant may be an option. We support cochlear implant recipients through every stage of their journey.
Learn about cochlear implants →Hearing Rehabilitation
Beyond devices, rehabilitation strategies such as auditory training, communication techniques, and environmental adjustments can make a meaningful difference — particularly for those adjusting to new hearing aids or managing auditory processing difficulties.
Learn about rehabilitation →Tinnitus Management
If ringing or buzzing in the ears is affecting your quality of life, targeted tinnitus management programs — including Tinnitus Retraining Therapy and sound enrichment — can significantly reduce its impact.
Learn about tinnitus →Ear Wax Removal
Sometimes what feels like hearing loss is simply a blockage. Safe, professional micro-suction wax removal can restore clarity quickly and comfortably — often in a single appointment.
Learn about wax removal →Hearing Protection
Protecting your hearing from noise is the most effective way to prevent hearing loss and tinnitus from developing in the first place. Prevention is always better than treatment.
Learn about protection →The earlier, the better: The earlier hearing loss is identified and treated, the better the outcomes — for communication, cognitive health, and quality of life. If you have any concerns about your hearing, don't wait.
Not Sure What You Need?
Book a consultation and we'll guide you through the right assessment and treatment options for your situation. Or give us a call on (02) 6156 4474 — our friendly team is always happy to help.
Book a Hearing Appointment Today
Comprehensive hearing services for adults and children at our Deakin and Downer clinics. Medicare rebates available with a written referral.