Hearing Test in Harborne
Loosing your hearing?
You’ve started to lose the punchline in pub conversations on the High Street. The grandkids think you’re ignoring them. Your other half has stopped asking you to turn the telly down because they’ve given up. None of this means anything dramatic is wrong, but it’s worth checking properly, and that’s exactly what a hearing test is for.
At our Harborne practice at 97 High Street, you get a 30-minute hearing assessment as part of our full audiology service, led by an HCPC-registered audiologist who isn’t tied to a single hearing aid brand.
The test is free, you don’t need a GP referral, and you’ll leave knowing exactly where your hearing stands.
Why a Hearing Test Is Worth Booking Now
Hearing loss tends to arrive quietly. Around one in five UK adults has some degree of it, and most leave it eight to ten years before getting checked. By then, the brain has adjusted to picking up less, which makes conversations in noisy places harder than they need to be and can leave you feeling drained after a long day around people.
The reassuring bit is that a hearing test rules out the simple stuff fast. Earwax causes a surprising number of cases we see, and it can usually be cleared the same day with microsuction. If there’s something more to address, you’ll have options.
What Happens at Your Examination
The whole thing is calm, painless and easy to follow.
- A proper conversation about your hearing. Aamir asks about what you’ve been noticing, your medical history and the situations you find hardest. Around five to ten minutes.
- A look inside your ears. Using an otoscope, we check your ear canals and eardrums for wax, infection or damage.
- The audiogram. You wear headphones in our consulting room and respond to a range of tones and speech sounds. This produces a clear chart of your hearing across different pitches.
- Your results, in plain English. You see the audiogram on screen, and Aamir walks you through what it actually means for you, no jargon.
- Honest next steps. If your hearing is fine, you’ll be told so and given a sensible follow-up date. If hearing aids would help, you’ll get a clear, no-pressure explanation of what’s available across all the major manufacturers.
Why Choose Brittain Opticians for a Hearing Test in Harborne
An HCPC-registered audiologist, every appointment.
Your test is led by Aamir Khan, who graduated from Aston University with First Class Honours in Audiology in 2017 and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, the statutory regulator for hearing aid dispensers in the UK.
Aamir has worked across NHS paediatrics, balance and tinnitus management, and independent practice. The clinic also operates in partnership with Amplify Hearing, whose audiologist network has a fifteen-year track record in independent optical practice.
Hearing aids from every major manufacturer, not one.
Most high street chains stock their own-brand devices or a single manufacturer’s range.
Because we operate independently, you can choose from Phonak, Oticon, Signia, ReSound, Widex, Starkey and Unitron.
That matters because the right hearing aid for one type of hearing loss is rarely the right one for another, and being independent means we recommend the one that fits your ears, not our supplier’s deal.
Lifetime aftercare and up to five-year warranties.
Hearing aids are not a one-off purchase. They need fine-tuning as your hearing changes, cleaning, tube replacements and occasional repairs.
Every device fitted at Harborne comes with complimentary aftercare for the lifetime of the device and warranties of up to five years, all carried out in the same practice you bought them from.
Eighty-plus years on the same High Street.
Brittain Opticians has been at 97 High Street, Harborne, since the 1940s, and the audiology service is led day-to-day by Aamir alongside lead optometrist Matt Rose, who teaches at Aston University.
You’re not booking with a call centre; you’re booking with a practice your neighbours have probably used for decades. You can read more about the team on our about page.
Look At The Happy Customers Below Who Came To Brittain Opticians.
Areas We Serve from Harborne High Street
You’ll find us at 97 High Street, a few doors down from the Junction crossroads, between the M&S Food and the row of independent shops opposite Greggs.
Many of our regular patients walk in from Harborne itself, while others drive in from Edgbaston, Quinton, Bartley Green and Bearwood. We also see a steady stream of patients from Selly Oak and Bournville who work or study near the University of Birmingham and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
There’s free on-street parking on Lordswood Road and the side streets off the High Street, plus the 11A, 11C and 23 buses stop directly outside. Late appointments can be arranged in advance, which is useful if you’re coming straight from a shift at the QE.
Hearing Teat Frequently Asked Questions
Is the hearing test really free?
Yes the hearing test itself costs nothing and there’s no obligation to buy anything afterwards. Ear wax removal by micro-suction is charged separately if you need it. Hearing aid prices are quoted clearly upfront before you commit to anything.
How much do hearing aids cost if I need them?
Hearing aids at our Harborne practice range from around £995 to £3,500 per pair, depending on the technology level, manufacturer and how much you want them to do (Bluetooth streaming, rechargeable batteries, advanced noise reduction).
Aamir will give you a written quote with two or three options at different price points after your test, so you can decide in your own time.
How long does the whole appointment take?
Around 30 minutes for the test itself. If you go on to a hearing aid fitting at a later date, that’s typically a separate 60-minute appointment, with a follow-up two to three weeks later to fine-tune the settings.
Do you cover Edgbaston, Selly Oak and Moseley?
Yes these are some of our most common patient areas because we’re a short drive from each. Edgbaston and Bearwood are particularly close, and many patients walk in from Harborne itself.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No. You can book directly. Anyone over 18 can be tested, and if you’re 55 or over we’d particularly suggest a yearly check, as hearing changes tend to be gradual.
What happens if my new hearing aids aren’t right?
You get a 60-day trial period on any hearing aids fitted at Harborne. If they’re not working for you, we’ll either re-tune them, swap them for a different model, or refund them your call. After that, ongoing adjustments are free for the life of the device under your aftercare plan.
What makes you different from a cheaper option nearby?
A budget hearing test or a supermarket-fit hearing aid will usually be limited to a single manufacturer and a single technology tier. You may also get less time with the audiologist and limited aftercare. At Harborne, you get the full independent range, a free 30-minute test, lifetime aftercare and the same audiologist every time you come back. For some people a cheaper option is genuinely the right call. If so, we’ll tell you. For others, the long-term value of getting it right first time matters more.
How do I know Brittain is the right choice for me?
You’re welcome to drop in to the practice on Harborne High Street and meet Aamir before booking anything. We’d rather you felt comfortable than felt rushed. While you’re here, you can also chat to Matt Rose’s team about your eye examination if it’s been a while. If we’re not the right fit, we’ll happily point you elsewhere.
Can I get ear wax removed at the same appointment?
Often yes. If wax is the issue, Aamir can usually clear it with micro-suction during the same visit, which is quicker and gentler than older syringing methods.
Book Your Free Hearing Test in Harborne
The hearing clinic runs from Tuesday to Saturday, and Aamir typically has appointments within seven days. Walking in works too, if you’re passing, we’ll book you in for the next available slot.
You can book online, ring the practice on 0121 427 1007, or WhatsApp us on 07376 400363. We’ll send a confirmation with directions and what to expect.
You’ll find us at 97 High Street, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9NR, open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 4pm.
No call-out fee, no GP referral, no pressure.
