Want to Understand Your Hearing Better?
Take the first step to better hearing with a Full Hearing Assessment
Why a Full Hearing Assessment Matters
You might have noticed you’re missing parts of conversations, or family members have mentioned you’re turning up the TV. Maybe you took our 5-minute screening and it indicated potential hearing loss.
Now you’re wondering: what’s actually going on with my hearing? A full diagnostic hearing assessment answers that question with precision.
A comprehensive assessment measures the exact type, degree, and pattern of your hearing loss. This detailed information is what allows us to create a personalised plan that actually works for your specific situation.
Paul Hinchey
Professional, helpful and friendly staff. Glenn gave a comprehensive hearing test and a thorough explanation of what he was doing and the results. Information was given on suitable hearing aids available and price range. Also offered is a hearing aid fitting and free test period.
What Happens During Your Full Hearing Assessment
We Start With a Conversation
Before any testing, we’ll talk with you about what you’ve been noticing.
- When did you first realize your hearing might be changing?
- What situations are most challenging?
- !re certain sounds harder to hear than others?
This conversation helps us understand your hearing in the context of your real life, not just clinical measurements.
Air Conduction Test
We Check Your Ears
We’ll perform an otoscopy, which is a visual inspection of your ear canals using a small, lighted instrument.
This ensures there’s no wax buildup or blockages that could be affecting your hearing. If we find excessive wax, we can remove it safely via micro suction, for a fee.
Learn more about our ear wax removal services.
Bone Conduction Test
Speech Testing
Tympanometry
A small probe is placed in your ear canal to measure how your eardrum responds to changes in air pressure. This quick test checks for fluid, ear infections, or other middle ear issues that might be affecting your hearing.
We Explain Your Results
Once testing is complete, we’ll sit down with you and walk through your results using an audiogram (a graph that shows your hearing levels) and other visual aids. We’ll explain:
- What type of hearing loss you have (if any)
- How severe it is
- Which frequencies are most affected
- What this means for your daily life
- What your options are moving forward
You’re welcome to bring a family member or friend to your appointment. Many people find it helpful to have support during the assessment and when discussing results.
If your loved ones can’t attend in person, we’re happy to call them after the appointment to explain your results and answer their questions.
What Happens During Your Full Hearing Assessment
Depending on your results, there are a few possible pathways forward:
If You Have Mild Hearing Loss
We’ll discuss whether hearing aids would benefit you now or if monitoring your hearing over time is the better approach.
Some people with mild loss choose to wait; others find even mild loss is impacting their quality of life and want help immediately. The choice is yours.
If You Have Moderate to Severe Hearing Loss
If We Detect a Medical Issue
In some cases, hearing loss is caused by a treatable medical condition (like an ear infection, fluid buildup, or earwax blockage). If we identify something that requires medical attention, we’ll refer you to an ENT specialist or your GP for treatment.
Free Hearing Services for Eligible Pensioners & DVA Clients
If you’re an eligible pensioner or Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) client, you may be entitled
to free hearing services through Australian Government programs.
Not sure if you qualify? We’ll help you find out and guide you through every step of the application.
Not Sure If You Need a Full Hearing Test? Find Out in 5 Minutes
Our free 5-minute hearing screening gives you a quick, no-pressure answer about whether you need further assessment. Two easy ways to check:
- Drop by in person – No appointment needed at our Cronulla or Engadine clinics
- Take the test online – Quick, private, and available 24/7
If the screening indicates hearing loss, we’ll guide you on the best next steps.
William Reid
“The entire team was very professional, knowledgeable and welcoming. Rachel was clearly very passionate about improving my hearing and dedicated to finding the best outcome for my individual needs.”
Why Families Across the Shire Trust Us With Their Hearing
We’re not just another hearing clinic. Here’s what makes Shire Hearing different.
- Count on Us for Hassle-Free SupportYour hearing aids come with full servicing during the warranty period. Need a quick clean or adjustment? Just drop in. No appointment, no fuss, no waiting around.
- Receive Care That's Tailored to Your Unique NeedsYour hearing is as unique as you are. We create personalised solutions based on your lifestyle, preferences, and hearing profile.
- Get Honest, Unbiased RecommendationsWe're independent, family-owned, so we're free to recommend what's truly best for you. Not what earns us the highest commission.
- Trusted by the Doctors Who Know BestLocal GPs refer patients to us because they know we prioritise proper care and genuine results over quick sales.
- You Take Your Time. No Rushed AppointmentsOur appointments are longer because you deserve time to ask questions, understand your options, and feel confident in your decisions.
- You're Family, Not Just a CustomerWe treat every client like family and build lifelong relationships. Our friendly, compassionate team is here for you, from your first visit to decades of care.
Hear it for yourself
“My introduction to Shire Hearing was with my mother who lives in Cronulla, I live in Wollongong. Rachel was very caring with my mother who will be 99 on Anzac Day 2020.
My experience with hearing aids started when I mentioned my tinnitus, during the conversation I realised Rachel was very knowledgeable and she told me when I started to lose my hearing, wearing hearing aids would help. They did!”
We had a lovely experience from booking to assessment. The clinic is accessible and they had loads of availability at the Engadine location. The assessor was gentle and relaxed and created a calm and fun environment for our child. 5 stars 🌟
Honestly the most amazing place to get your hearing tests done ✅. I’ve never felt more welcomed & safe before & highly highly recommend the lovely Krystal @ Engadine Clinic. Such great service and knowledge , I couldn’t recommend enough. Please choose Shire hearing Engadine for your next appointment ❤️.
What a great and calm experience! Krystal connected straight away with my toddler son, She took the time to play and engage with my son other than just for testing.
Usually my son is hard to get to cooperate with visual assessments of his ears, but he was happy and comfortable with Krystal.
Would highly recommend Shire Hearing Engadine!
Krystal at Shire Hearing was fantastic with our two neurodiverse boys. She had them cooperating, engaged and interested. And she picked up a previously unknown issue so we can look into it further. Fantastic experience and service!
They are amazing. Any issue with hearing aids they fix for free. Even if it’s just changing the filters. When I was choosing my new hearing aids they lent programmable ones to try and compare. I got the top ones in the end. The programs on the App are also designed just for me which helps adjusting in noisy environments.
Proudly Serving the Sutherland Shire Community
Shire Hearing has two convenient locations in Cronulla and Engadine, making expert hearing care accessible right here in the Shire community.
Cronulla Clinic
- Shop 10/38-40 Croydon Street, Cronulla NSW 2230, Australia
- (02) 9544 4466
- Monday to Friday (9AM - 5PM)
Engadine Clinic
- Shop 6/10 Waratah Rd, Engadine NSW 2233, Australia
- (02) 9520 4774
- Monday to Friday (9AM - 5PM)
FAQs
A comprehensive hearing assessment takes about an hour. This includes the tests themselves, reviewing your results with you, and answering all your questions. We don’t rush—you’ll have the time you need to fully understand your hearing health.
Not at all. The entire assessment is painless and non-invasive. You’ll wear headphones, listen to tones, repeat some words, and have a small probe placed gently in your ear for a few seconds. That’s it. If you ever feel uncomfortable, just let us know and we can take a break.
Medicare doesn’t typically cover hearing tests for adults. However, if you’re an eligible pensioner or DVA client, you may qualify for free hearing services through Australian Government programs. Contact us to check your eligibility or [learn more here – link to pensioner/DVA page].
Yes, if you’re eligible. Pensioners, DVA clients, and those meeting certain criteria may qualify for free hearing assessments through the Australian Government’s Hearing Services Program. We can help you determine if you’re eligible and assist with the application process.
You may be eligible if you’re a pensioner, DVA client, or meet other qualifying criteria. We’re here to help you check your eligibility and guide you through the process. Learn more about eligibility here.
If you’re asking people to repeat themselves often, struggling in noisy environments, turning up the TV volume, or noticing certain sounds are harder to hear, it’s time for a test. Even if you’re unsure, our free 5-minute screening can help you decide whether a full assessment is needed. Take the screening here.
Yes, if you’re experiencing symptoms. Hearing loss can happen at any age due to noise exposure, infections, genetics, or other factors. If you’ve noticed changes in your hearing or you’re regularly exposed to loud environments (concerts, construction, etc.), a hearing test is a good idea regardless of your age.
If your hearing is normal, we recommend a baseline test every few years. If you have hearing loss, we typically suggest annual check-ups to monitor changes and ensure your hearing aids (if you wear them) are still meeting your needs. If you’re over 60 or work in noisy environments, annual tests are a good idea.
No, you can book directly with us—no referral needed. However, if you’re claiming through certain insurance schemes or need a test for medical reasons, your GP may need to provide a referral. We can let you know what’s required when you book.
An audiologist specializes in diagnosing and treating hearing loss, fitting hearing aids, and providing ongoing hearing care. An ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist is a medical doctor who treats medical conditions affecting the ear, such as infections, structural issues, or diseases. If we find a medical issue during your assessment, we’ll refer you to an ENT for treatment.
Yes. We’ll review your results with you immediately after the testing is complete. We’ll use an audiogram and other visuals to help you understand what we found, what it means, and what your options are. You won’t leave wondering.
This can happen for a few reasons. You might be experiencing auditory processing issues (your ears hear fine, but your brain struggles to process the information), or you may have hearing difficulties in specific situations that standard testing doesn’t capture. It’s also possible you have very mild loss at frequencies we don’t routinely test. Let’s discuss what you’re experiencing—we may recommend additional assessments or refer you to a specialist for further evaluation.
We’ll check for wax buildup during the otoscopy. If it’s affecting your hearing, we offer safe microsuction earwax removal. Learn more here.
Yes. Regular assessments are important even if you already wear hearing aids, as your hearing can change over time. We also provide servicing and care for hearing aids purchased elsewhere.
Only if you ask us to. We can provide a written report to your doctor, employer, or insurer, but we won’t share your information without your permission.
That’s completely normal. Our team is trained to put anxious clients at ease. We’ll explain every step before we do it, and you can take breaks anytime you need. We’re here to support you, not stress you out.
Ready to Understand Your Hearing?
A full hearing assessment gives you clarity, confidence, and a path forward. Whether your hearing is fine or you need support, you’ll leave knowing exactly where you stand—and what your options are.