No referral is required for most services, including hearing assessments and ear wax removal. You are welcome to contact the clinic directly and book. A GP referral is required only to access the Australian Government Hearing Services Program or certain Medicare-rebatable pathways.

A comprehensive adult diagnostic assessment typically takes 45 to 60 minutes. Paediatric assessments may take longer depending on the child's age and cooperation. Please allow additional time to complete an intake form upon arrival.

No. Hearing tests are entirely non-invasive and painless. Tympanometry involves a small probe briefly placed at the ear canal entrance, which is momentarily uncomfortable for some patients but not painful.

Yes, and we actively encourage this — particularly for elderly patients or those with significant hearing loss. A family member can help communicate concerns, understand results and participate in discussions about management options.

No. Northern Beaches Audiology is entirely independent and has no financial relationship with any hearing aid manufacturer. Our audiologists receive no commission from device sales. Every recommendation is based entirely on clinical evidence and your individual needs.

Yes. We offer a trial period with any recommended device, allowing you to assess the benefit in your own daily listening environments before committing to a purchase.

Prices vary considerably depending on style and technology level. Eligible patients may access subsidised or fully funded devices through the Australian Government Hearing Services Program or DVA. Our audiologists will provide transparent pricing and discuss all funding options at consultation. There is no obligation to purchase.

Most hearing aids have a functional lifespan of five to seven years. Regular professional maintenance — including cleaning, filter replacement and programming adjustments — significantly extends the usable life of a device.

There is no universally curative treatment for tinnitus. However, the goal of management is habituation — reaching a state in which the brain no longer treats the tinnitus signal as important, and it ceases to intrude on daily awareness. The majority of patients who engage with structured management achieve a substantial and lasting reduction in tinnitus awareness and distress.

In most cases, tinnitus is not dangerous. However, pulsatile tinnitus, sudden onset, tinnitus in only one ear, or association with neurological symptoms warrant prompt assessment to exclude a medically significant underlying cause.

Yes. Stress, anxiety and sleep deprivation are well-established modulators of tinnitus perception. Addressing stress management is an important component of a comprehensive tinnitus management plan.

No. The ear canal is self-cleaning in most people. Cotton buds almost invariably push wax deeper and are a leading cause of wax impaction, ear canal injury and eardrum perforation. If you are experiencing symptoms of wax build-up, please contact our clinic for professional removal.

Hearing aid users and those with a history of recurrent wax build-up may benefit from professional clearance every three to six months. Most people do not need routine ear cleaning in the absence of symptoms.

Microsuction is well tolerated by most patients. Some briefly experience dizziness immediately after removal, but this passes quickly. The procedure is not painful.

We assess children from approximately seven months of age using Visual Reinforced Orientation Audiometry (VROA). All infants in NSW undergo a universal newborn hearing screen in hospital; however, if a concern arises after this initial screen, a formal diagnostic assessment by a qualified audiologist is the appropriate next step.

Yes. Speech delay can have numerous causes, but undetected hearing loss is one of the most important and most treatable. A diagnostic hearing assessment is a non-invasive first step that should be arranged promptly whenever speech or language delay is identified.

No referral is required for an initial paediatric hearing assessment. We will see children directly if parents have a concern.