Sheila wants to know:

What does a hearing test involve?

Peter Ince said:

This is quite a simple process and involves you wearing some headphones for a short period of time and responding to different tones. In its simplest form the test will provide a measure of your hearing ability which can then be compared to what is generally considered to be normal.

Lawler wants to know:

How much hearing loss is genetic?

Vivienne Michael said:

There's rather more genetic/inherited hearing loss than most people imagine, even many cases of age-related hearing loss probably have a genetic component and we know that half of all the babys who are born deaf are deaf for genetic reasons. There are probably many hundreds of deafness genes. We have isolated many of them already but a lot more research is needed.

Alix wants to know:

Do you have some tips on how I can test myself at home?

Peter Ince said:

It's not possible to do a hearing test yourself. A hearing test takes approximately 15-20 minutes so devote the time to having a proper test done.

Jill wants to know:

Can I test my hearing online?

Peter Ince said:

There are websites available for this to be done but it is not as reliable as having a professional hearing test, where the equipment used is calibrated and as such, accurate.

Jess McEvoy wants to know:

Why can't people with slight to mild hearing loss buy a non-prescription device in any shop on the high street?

Peter Ince said:

The private hearing aid supply in the UK is regulated by the Hearing Aid Council, whose code of practice does not allow the sale of hearing aids without a full hearing test by a registered hearing aid audiologist. There are many reasons why a hearing aid could be inappropriate and require medical referral, the hearing aid audiologist will advise you of that. Vivienne: We would always recommend that if people have concerns about their hearing they should see their GP as a first step. The hearing problem might be something quite simple which might not require a hearing aid or it might be an indicator of something more serious, which is why it's always important to see your GP.

Vivienne Michael said:

We can provide further information about the role of the Hearing Aid Council via our website www.deafnessresearch.org.uk

Cathryn Wood wants to know:

I have read of research for regenerating the hair cells for those of us who suffer sensoneural deafness, how far has this progressed?

Vivienne Michael said:

There are some very exciting developments in this field of research at the moment. I think what is so exciting is that the problem is being approached from a number of different directions. For example - there are studies of stem cells and whether they can be encouraged to develop into new hearing cells. There are also studies of how regeneration occurs in other animals such as birds and reptiles and scientists are looking at the genes that are active in the development of the ear and ways in which they can switch those genes on and off to trigger production of new hearing cells.

Cathryn Wood wants to know:

I have read of research for regenerating the hair cells for those of us who suffer sensoneural deafness, how far has this progressed?

Peter Ince said:

A particularly fruitful line of research is the study of how we might prevent damage to the hearing cells and we already know of some substances that can prevent damage to these cells, in the laboratory. Once we have firm laboratory evidence we would then need clinical trials and so we are still some years away from clinical treatment.

Chas wants to know:

How long do people have to wait these days for a hearing aid on the NHS waiting list?

Peter Ince said:

Recent surveys undertaken by BSHAA (British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists) show waiting lists getting longer. The current average is reported as 47 weeks, with some health authorities taking up to 4 years to do the test and dispense a hearing aid.

Pete wants to know:

Is it possible to get hearing aid quicker if you go private?

Peter Ince said:

Yes, it is. Hearing aid provision services are available on the High Street, usually a test can be arranged within 3-4 days and if necessary, a hearing system provided within 14 days. Vivienne: Don't be tempted to buy a hearing aid from a newspaper or an exhibition. Prices vary hugely so shop around and try to go somewhere that is local, because after-care is extremely important.

Tina Lannin wants to know:

With a profound hearing loss, does it make any difference whether you have aftercare or not, after receiving a digital hearing aid for the first time.

Peter Ince said:

Peter: After-care is just as important, particularly as you have identified that you are a new user of a digital hearing aid. The new digital hearing aids, unlike previous hearing aids, are programmable and can be adjusted more precisely to the individual needs. The after-care programme should provide this service for you.

Lee wants to know:

I've had an analogue hearing aid for about five years and it's OK but I still find it very difficult to distinguish sounds in crowded rooms. I've been told that a digital hearing aid would be better. Could it cut out the background noise?

Vivienne Michael said:

Yes, digital hearing aids are, generally speaking, more effective in helping users understand speech in background noise. This is because they have much more sophisticated signal processing system, often they have directional microphones and they can be tailored much more accurately to cope with different environments.

Peter Ince said:

The older analogue hearing aids operated on a linear system, unlike the new digital hearing aids and tended to over amplify background noise. Digital signal processing does improve this but will never totally cut out background noise.

Simon Hale wants to know:

I am a composer/musician with approx -45Db loss both sides. Have been prescribed senso diva @ £2000 per side. Feels expensive (I live near Oxford if that makes a difference). Will they help me too? Need to use with orchestras and in studio using headphones sometimes.

Peter Ince said:

Without having the full details of your audiometric tests it is difficult to be precise but from the information you have given I would guess that you have what is referred to as a purely conductive hearing loss. In most cases the use of amplified sound for this type of hearing loss is very successful, as the nerve of hearing is generally in good condition and just requires additional input to overcome the conductive problem. £4000 does seem a lot of money although Senso Diva is a leading product. I would suggest that you also try Siemens Acuris (which under our 2 for 1 offer would be considerably cheaper!)

Georgie wants to know:

How much SHOULD a hearing test and hearing aid cost me?

Peter Ince said:

Most companies don't charge for hearing tests and the price of hearing aids is dictated by the level of technical specification. Prices do vary hugely and I would suggest you shop around. What I can tell you is that at Specsavers Hearcare, we grade hearing aids under a simple 1 to 5 star pricing system, with (under the 2 for 1 offer) a starting price for a pair of digital hearing aids from just £595.

JamesR wants to know:

How do I select a hearing aid?

Vivienne Michael said:

There are many different types of hearing aid, for example some sit behind the ear, others fit into the ear canal and are obviously a lot more discrete, but you need to talk to your audiologist to discuss what style of hearing aid is appropriate for your level of hearing loss.

Jess wants to know:

Why are all the hearing aids flesh coloured and marketed as being "hidden" or "so small no-one can see it" when everybody else is wearing large bluetooth devices around their ears?

Vivienne Michael said:

I think that's a very good question and we would like to see attitudes to deafness changing so that hearing aids become more acceptable and possibly even a fashion item in the same way as glasses are today. Peter: We have recently added to our range a new product which reflects the style you talk about - it actually looks more like a walkman/iPod headphone but without the cable.

Linda wants to know:

Do you know anything about labyrinthitis and how a person can cope with the resulting balance problems? I am 57 years old, have bilateral profound sensori-neural hearing loss incurred since infancy with viral pneumonia. I wear two powerful BTE's and speechread with unusual facility. I've just recently been diagnosed with labyrinthitis and am facing a future without sound. Help!

Vivienne Michael said:

Labyrinthitis is the name given to an infection or inflammation of part of the inner ear. It may be suppurative when the inner ear is filled with pus or it can be the result of a viral infection. I sympathise with your distress because it can be a very disturbing condition and I hope that you are seeking medical advice for it. The usual treatment is bed rest and limited movement of your head and you might need to do this for a few days or even a couple of weeks. You might be prescribed medication and that can often be helpful. The good news is that labyrinthitis doesn't necessarily affect your hearing and doesn't often re-occur.

Eden wants to know:

When will deafness be cured?

Vivienne Michael said:

Deafness Research UK is supporting research which we believe will result in medical cures for deafness. The research is very promising and scientists are more optimistic than ever that we will see results within the foreseeable future. It's difficult to be precise but some of our scientists are talking in terms of preventing the deterioration of hearing within, say, the next 5 to 10 years and possibly reversing hearing loss within the next 15 to 20 years.

Peter Ince said:

Please remember that being aware of your working and social environments in terms of noise levels and not exposing your hearing to excessive levels for long periods of time will help to prevent the onset of hearing loss. Regular hearing checks, which are available on your High Street, will keep you in the picture as far as your hearing is concerned.