Every year on 3rd March, the world comes together to celebrate World Hearing Day. A day dedicated to raising awareness about hearing loss prevention and the importance of hearing care. At Leeds Audiology Clinic, these aims resonate deeply with us. That’s why we celebrate World Hearing Day each year, sharing valuable tips and information to help protect your hearing and enhance your quality of life.

How loud is too loud?

The best answers to this question can be found at RNID. Here are a couple of key points that are explained on the page:

• Sounds under 85dB are safe to listen to without hearing protection
• The amount of time you’re exposed to noise matters – 15 minutes in an average nightclub playing music at 100dB can cause damage
• If you can’t talk to someone 2m away without shouting because of background noise, it’s too loud!

How can I protect my hearing?

There are lots of ways to protect your hearing such as:

• Turning down the volume – whether that’s the TV, radio or through headphones
• Take regular breaks when wearing headphones or listening to loud music – just five minutes every hour or so can help
• Wear hearing protection when you can’t avoid loud situations
• Limit the length of time you’re exposed to loud sounds

You can find out more about hearing protection by visiting our blog; Should I Wear Earplugs?

Do I need a hearing test?

If you’re wondering whether you or a loved one should book a hearing test, answer this short quiz below to find out!

Do you have problems hearing the TV or radio at a volume that is loud enough for others?

Are you over the age of 50?

Do you feel embarrassed when you meet new people because you struggle to hear? 

Do you find it difficult to follow a conversation in a busy restaurant or pub? 

Does your hearing affect you at work? 

Do you sometimes just nod and smile when talking to someone because you’re unable to clearly hear them?  

Is there a history of hearing loss in your family? 

Do you have tinnitus (ringing in your ears)? 

Does a hearing problem cause frustration and arguments with friends and family? 

Do you find you have to ask people to repeat themselves often?

If you answered yes to  3 or more of these questions, it’s a good idea to get your hearing tested by an audiologist.

Take action for better hearing this World Hearing Day

If you or someone you care about is experiencing difficulties with hearing, it’s vital not to delay seeking help. Whether that means contacting Leeds Audiology Clinic, your GP, or another qualified audiologist, prompt action is key. Do not put off addressing hearing concerns and reach out today for support and guidance.

You can contact us here for further information or to book an appointment.

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It’s been a little while since we’ve shown our faces so we thought we’d reintroduce ourselves with an about us post!

We’re a local family-owned and run independent hearing clinic based in the heart of Leeds. Our main goal at the Leeds Audiology Clinic is to help those suffering from hearing loss in a sensitive manner and comfortable upmarket environment. We understand the serious impacts of hearing loss and take time to reassure and help clients in every way we can.

So.. who are we?

Bev

First up, we have our lovely head of reception, Bev. Bev has been with us at LAC from the get-go, working behind the scenes since we opened in 2018. For the last few years, Bev has managed reception during the week. She’ll be one of the first smiling faces you see when you arrive for your appointment at LAC. If you have any queries when you arrive for your appointment or need any help, Bev is happy to help!

Andrew

Born and bred in Leeds, Andrew has worked at several hospitals in England and Scotland, as well as private practice, over his two decades working as an audiologist. He’s our founder and senior audiologist here at LAC! Andrew has been deaf in one ear since childhood and is very knowledgeable and sympathetic when it comes to hearing loss. He is an expert witness in audiology medico-legal claims for hearing damage.

Emily

If you’ve been to LAC you’re likely to have met our clinic manager Emily. She’s been here since day one and runs the clinic day to day. After graduating with a BA(Hons) from Leeds Arts University, Emily has played a pivotal role in developing the business. She runs the administration side of the Leeds Audiology Clinic, including our marketing, advertising, social media and business accounts.
Emily has taken a great interest in audiology in her eight years of working at LAC and has recently completed training in microsuction and irrigation ear wax removal. She hopes to further continue her studies at university later this year.

Oliver

Oliver has made great strides with all things technical here the LAC. From web design to managing our IT systems, he helps the machinery stay working. Oliver works part-time at the LAC whilst working as an experienced professional animator.

Juno

One thing about us is that we love our dog. Juno is an important part of the Leeds Audiology Clinic family. As a family business, and being at the clinic more often, Juno works two to three days a week with us. She specialises in collecting sticks from the park and barking at the postie.

Our Ethos

Our main goal at the Leeds Audiology Clinic is to help those suffering from hearing loss in a sensitive manner and upmarket environment. We understand the serious impacts of hearing loss and take time to reassure and help clients in every way we can.

From the moment you step through the door we aim to offer you a different experience to High Street retailers. We are here to listen and help you through your journey to better hearing.

To book an appointment with one of our audiologists or for any queries, you can contact us here.

To keep up to date with us at LAC don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

The post About Us appeared first on Leeds Audiology Clinic.

Can I bring my pet to my appointment?

Yes! While the clinic rooms will always be pet-free for hygiene reasons, our reception area is dog-friendly. All we ask is that you give us a heads up before you arrive with your furry friends. We’re lucky to have lovely Park Square right outside, so your pooch can burn off some energy before relaxing in reception with a fresh bowl of water and some biscuits.

We love your pets!

We love hearing all about your pets and are lucky to have so many animal-loving clients. We’re even luckier to have met some of our clients’ pets when they’ve called in for a visit.

Do we offer hearing tests for pets?

This is a genuine question that we’ve been asked before! And sadly there answer is no, we don’t offer hearing tests for pets. But you can check out our previous blog on this subject if you’re interested in finding out more!

If you’d like to book an appointment with us, you can contact us here.

To keep up with what’s going on at LAC, why not follow us on Instagram and Facebook?

The post Love Your Pet Day appeared first on Leeds Audiology Clinic.

Ways to show your ears some love

Clean with care

If your ears are feeling blocked, uncomfortable or itchy, it can be so tempting to poke around in there for some relief. Please don’t! Avoid using cotton buds as you could risk pushing the wax further in and causing damage. Arrange an appointment with your GP or audiologist to check for and safely remove any wax blockages. For more information on ear wax removal, you can check out our blog here.

Protect your ears

If your Valentine’s plans will be in a noisy environment like a gig, club or sporting event, then it’s worth taking earplugs to protect your hearing. If you’re not sure if you should be wearing earplugs, then ‘Should I wear earplugs?‘ may be for you!

Keep the volume down

Keeping your music, podcasts or favourite show at a safe volume is really important, especially when wearing headphones. It’s also a good idea to take regular breaks from your headphones, about five minutes every hour will give your ears a good rest. You can find out more information on listening to music safely from RNID here.

Regular ear checks

It’s so common to have our eyesight checked every two years or our teeth checked every six months but it’s easy to forget about our ears. How often you should have an ear check or hearing test differs depending on your age and various risk factors. The general rule of thumb is:
Under 50 years old – Every 3 to 5 years
50-60 years old – Every 1 to 3 years
Over 60 – Every year
If you work in a noisy environment – Every year
If you wear hearing aids – Every 1 to 2 years

If you notice any difference with your hearing or ears at any time, then it’s worth arranging an appointment with your GP or an audiologist as soon as you can to check that everything is okay.

Show your ears some love and book an ear check today!
Contact us:
hello@leedsaudiologyclinic.co.uk
0113 8800 190
Instagram
Facebook

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The Statistics

The following information is from the Royal British Legion’s Report Understanding the Impact of Hearing Impairment on Working Age UK Armed Forces Veterans. The research for this report was carried out by the University of Chester’s Westminster Centre for Research in Veterans. It is the first large-scale independent research study into hearing loss with working-age Armed Forces veterans.

• Veterans are 2.33 times more likely to experience hearing loss than civilians
• Veterans are 1.6 times more likely to experience tinnitus than civilians
• 55% of Veterans who reported hearing loss noticed it during Service
• Those who deploy are 1.98 times more likely to experience hearing loss than those who don’t
• According to Veterans for Veterans, it’s estimated that there are a minimum of 300,000 ex-service people who suffer from hearing loss in the UK

Veterans for Veterans

Veterans for Veterans is a dedicated team of seasoned veterans from every branch of the military. They’re committed to helping veterans secure the compensation they deserve for service-related injuries. They have selected a team of experienced legal experts who specialise in Armed Forces claims. For more information on Veterans for Veterans, or to check your eligibility, click here.

Hearing Loss Guidance According to the British Legion

“If you have served in HM Forces on or after 15th May 1987, or if you are still serving in HM Forces, you may be able to claim Hearing Loss.

If you believe your Hearing Loss, including the complications of tinnitus, earache, fatigue, stress and social isolation, were caused by service you may be entitled to compensation.

You may be able to apply even if you have previously been rejected for, or if you received a previous award under a War Pensions or AFCS claim.

An agreement exists whereby the MOD has determined it will not raise defences involving the limitation period in which to bring a claim, together with Crown and Combat Immunity. This is subject to a formula known as the Matrix, which looks at dates of service and the amount of compensation to decide an award.”

Claims under the Matrix Agreement for hearing loss caused by service must be lodge by 23:59 hours on 30th January 2026.

Military Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

People serving in the British armed forces often experience noise-induce hearing loss (NIHL) during their service. This may result from loud noise during training or operations, use of heavy machinery, live fire exercises, or working near aircraft.

Symptoms of NIHL typically include:

Tinnitus
Difficulty understanding speech
Muffled hearing
Sensitivity to certain sounds

To learn more about NIHL, you can visit our previous blog on the subject here.

To check if you’re eligible to make a claim, you can visit Veterans for Veterans here.

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Music is a universal language that moves us, stirs emotions, and brings people together. For those experiencing hearing loss, enjoying music might feel more challenging, but it certainly isn’t out of reach. Advancements in hearing technology mean it’s entirely possible to rediscover the pleasure music can bring.

Muddy, muddled, or muffled? Understanding the perception of audio quality in music by hearing aid users

A 2024 study by researchers at the University of Leeds’ School of Music found that some hearing aid users were struggling to get a good music listening experience from their hearing aids. The team reached out to 1,500 hearing aid users and 100 clinicians to find out more about music listening behaviour among hearing aid users. You can read here what project leader Professor Alinka Greasley has to say about the research project and how it came to be. Professor Greasley is now working on The Cadenza Project using AI to investigate signal processing strategies for people with hearing loss. You can find more about the project here.

Will a hearing aid help?

Music Modes

Reduced Noise Reduction: This turns off aggressive algorithms that can strip away musical nuances

Wider Frequency Response: This captures both deep bass and crisp treble

Disabled Feedback Management: This stops the aid from mistaking music for whistling and cutting it off

Microphones work omnidirectionally: This allows sounds from all directions and not just the front

Making the most of technology

If you think you might need a hearing test, you can check out our blog ‘Do I need a Hearing Test?‘

To book a hearing test or for more information, you can contact the clinic here.

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As we welcome in the New Year, we’ve been reflecting on 2025, and wow, what a year it’s been! We are deeply grateful to our loyal clients, both old and new, who have supported our independent family business over the years.

Since our opening in 2017, we’ve made several changes to the clinic. You can check out our clinic room refurb in 2022 and our reception revamp last year!

Some things never change, though, which is why we’re still delivering the same excellent customer service at the same price. Our goal for 2026 is ensuring our customers have happy new ears!

But, before we look ahead to the future, we wanted to share a little positivity recap of 2025 to beat the January blues. You can find some of our 2025 highlights below!

Happy New Ears! – Wax Removal

In 2025 we cleaned over 2,000 ears of wax! But what is ear wax removal and who needs it? If you’re unsure, you can check out our previous blog, Ear Wax Removal, What’s it all About? for more information.

5-star Reviews

2025 was the year that we hit over 1,000 5-star reviews! Reviews have been so important to our little business and we are deeply grateful to every single person who has left us a review, shared our social media posts or recommended us to someone in their life. We read every review that comes our way to ensure that our clients receive the best customer service possible.

Hearing Tests

Over the last year we tested over 200 clients for hearing loss. On average, people wait 10 years after having a hearing test before doing something about it. If you’re wondering if you should have a hearing test, visit our previous blog Do I Need a Hearing Test? for more information!

Custom Ear Impressions

And lastly, we took over 100 pairs of impressions in 2025. Some of the products we take impressions for include custom hearing protection, swim plugs, sleep plugs, in-ear monitors and custom hearing aids.

We’re lucky to have had so many highlights over the last year and can’t wait to see what 2026 brings! Thank you again to our lovely clients for the continued support. We are so grateful.

To keep up to date with our latest happenings, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

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It’s coming up to the big C word again and we swear it comes around quicker every year! Not sure what to get for your loved one who has everything? Give the gift of better hearing this festive season.

Should I book a hearing test this festive season?

If you’re not sure whether you or your loved one need a hearing test, then answering these questions may help.

Do you have problems hearing the TV or radio at a volume that is loud enough for others?

Are you over the age of 50?

Do you feel embarrassed when you meet new people because you struggle to hear? 

Do you find it difficult to follow a conversation in a busy restaurant or pub? 

Does your hearing affect you at work? 

Do you sometimes just nod and smile when talking to someone because you’re unable to clearly hear them?  

Is there a history of hearing loss in your family? 

Do you have tinnitus (ringing in your ears)? 

Does a hearing problem cause frustration and arguments with friends and family? 

Do you find you have to ask people to repeat themselves often?

If you answered yes to  3 or more of these questions, it’s a good idea to get your hearing tested by an audiologist.

You can also visit our previous blog, “Do I Need a Hearing Test?” for more information.

Festive sounds you don’t want to miss out on

On average, people wait ten years after having a hearing test to do something about it. For a lot of people, the festive season is a chance to spend time with family and friends. There are so many festive sounds that you don’t want to miss out on.

Christmas Carols

Christmas carols are a given at this time of year. Whether it’s a goosebump-inducing choir in church, a brass band at the local Christmas light switch-on, or the kids in their nativity play, you don’t want to miss out.

Conversations with Family & Friends

For a lot of people, Christmas is a time to visit family and friends. For those conversations and moments you don’t want to miss, it’s worth having your hearing checked. The thought of too much noise can be daunting too. There might be some family members that you don’t want to hear this festive season. If you’re a hearing aid wearer and an app user, you can have better control of how much you want to hear. Hearing aids are designed to cut out the background noise and focus on speech. Although it can be tempting to take them out, don’t miss out on the joyful sounds of Christmas.

Crunchy snow

Christmas Films

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a classic Christmas film. Unless you’re a complete Scrooge! If you’ve noticed that you’re struggling to hear the telly, it might be worth having a hearing test.

How do I book an appointment for a hearing test?

If your hearing has changed suddenly or you have any other symptoms such as pulsatile tinnitus, headaches or dizziness, we recommend contacting your GP.

If you’d like to book an appointment with us at Leeds Audiology Clinic, you can contact us here.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

The post Give the Gift of Better Hearing This Festive Season appeared first on Leeds Audiology Clinic.

Where is Leeds Audiology Clinic? We’re hoping by now you know who we are or you’ve at least heard of us. But just in case you haven’t or you’re wondering where on earth we are, we thought we’d let you know!

So, where is Leeds Audiology Clinic? 29 Park Square West, LS1 2PQ!

Park Square is an idyllic area in Leeds city centre and we’re so pleased to call it home. Just a stones throw away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, it feels like another world. The beautiful Georgian buildings surrounding the park make you feel like you’re in a London suburb and not the middle of Leeds. If you’re interested in the history of Park Square, you can check out our blog Park Square Leeds Then and Now.

Travelling by car

If you’re travelling to us by car, it may be worth planning your journey ahead of time. There are a number of one way systems in place throughout Leeds and various roadworks so checking your route beforehand will help you avoid any wrong turns. Waze and Google Maps are the most up to date travel apps for roadworks and traffic alerts.

Parking

The closest place to park is on Park Square itself. There is metered parking around the Square and the best time to nab a space is before 9am or after 3pm during the week and any time on a weekend. There is one parking meter on Park Square East (directly opposite the clinic on the other side of the square). You can also download the Pay By Phone app which we recommend doing before your appointment as it can take a five or ten minutes to set up.

Blue Badge Holders

There are double yellow lines a short walk from our front door which blue badge holders are able to park on. Parking around the square is also free for blue badge holders.

Other city centre parking

The Light Car Park – 10 minute walk away

Wellington Street Multi Storey Car Park – 5 minute walk away

Kirkstall Road Car Park – 20 minute walk away

Train Station

If you’re travelling to us by train, we’re a ten minute walk or a short taxi ride away.

If you’re walking, exit the barriers in the station and turn left past the ticket office and out onto City Square.

Head straight over to Quebec Street with the Majestic on your left.

Turn right on King Street and cross over the road to Dirty Martini.

Continue down St Paul’s Street and cross over the road to Park Square East.

Turn left along the side of the park and enter the park in the middle.

Keep to the left hand side and follow the path around until you see Leeds Audiology Clinic straight ahead!

You can check out our video on Instagram here.

Leeds Audiology Clinic Park Square Leeds

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We think we’re fairly modest (if we do say so ourselves) but we are incredibly proud of our independent family-run business. We don’t blow our own trumpet often, but we feel like shouting about the excellent services we offer. If you’re stuck between independent vs high-street audiologists, then this blog might be for you!

Who are we?

Leeds Audiology Clinic is an independent family-run hearing clinic in the centre of Leeds.

Suffering from hearing loss from a young age, our Leeds born founder understands the importance of being able to hear well.

As a family business we pride ourselves on offering a warm and friendly environment, a high level of customer service and a personalised experience.

Our main goal at Leeds Audiology Clinic is to help those with hearing loss in a sensitive manner and upmarket environment. We understand the impacts of hearing loss and ensure we take time to reassure and help clients in every way we can. That means no rushed hearing tests, no pushy sales tactics and no long waits for appointments.

From the moment you step through the door, we aim to offer you a better experience to high-street retailers. We are here to listen and help you through your journey to better hearing.

You can learn more about our friendly team here.

How do we differ from the big high-street names?

We completely understand why people are tempted with high-street brands. Firstly, they’re convenient. If you’re already in the building for an eye test, then of course you’ll be interested in other services that they offer. They’re also constantly in the public eye. With a huge marketing budget you’ll see them on the telly, in magazines, on advertising boards and even hear them on the radio. But, bigger doesn’t always mean better and we’re here to highlight the positive of choosing a smaller, independent clinic. Leeds Audiology Clinic to be precise but other independent audiologists are also available!

Independent VS High-Street Audiologists, what’s the difference?

5-star service

Don’t just take our word for it! We have over 1,000 5-star reviews on Google, TrustPilot, Feefo, Yell, Facebook and more!

Still on the fence?

If you’re still unsure, why not get in touch or book an appointment?

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