Diagnostic
$185adults
Full hearing test
- Your results on an audiogram, explained in plain words
- A written report, and a copy to your GP if you’d like one
- What we’d suggest next, including “nothing yet”
A full hearing test, or a quick screening. Know which you’re booking.
They’re different things. A screening tells you whether a test is worth having. The test tells you what’s going on.
Screening
Free
Hearing screening
A quick check of whether a full test is worth booking. It isn’t a diagnosis, there’s no report, and you won’t be asked to buy anything.
What happens in your full test
- 1We talk firstWhat’s hard to hear, and where: the TV, the grandkids, a busy café.
- 2A look in your earsTo check for wax or anything that needs a doctor.
- 3Beeps, in the boothHeadphones on. Raise your hand at each beep, however faint.
- 4WordsYou repeat words back to us, some quiet, some with noise behind them.
- 5Your results, togetherWe go through your audiogram with you, and with whoever came along.
You leave with your audiogram
Frequency runs across the top, from low sounds to high. The lower a mark sits, the louder a sound had to be before you heard it.
Right earLeft ear
Kids’ hearing, from age 3
Tests for children are games: dropping a block in a bucket when they hear a sound, or pointing to pictures. You stay in the room the whole time.
- Bring any letters from your GP, or notes about speech
- A written report for you, and for the GP if you’d like
- If your child isn’t in the mood, we finish another day
Hearing aids, if they’ll help
Not everyone benefits from a hearing aid. If your test says you won’t, we’ll tell you, and you won’t leave with a sales brochure.
Prices per aid, in writing
Each hearing aid is priced on its own, so a pair costs two. Your written quote names the aids, what’s included, any yearly costs, and the trial and return terms, before you decide.
Buying them isn’t the end of it
- FittingWe set the aids to your audiogram, then practise putting them in and taking them out until it’s easy.
- Follow-ups in the first weeksThings sound different at first. We adjust the settings as you get used to them.
- A check every yearA clean, a listen, and a fresh test if your hearing has changed.
- Repairs and bitsBatteries, domes and filters at the front desk. Repairs by appointment, or drop them in.
Already wear hearing aids?
You don’t need to book a test for supplies or a repair. Bought them somewhere else? We can check, clean and adjust most brands. A review is $135.
Who owns us. Priya Nair owns Banksia Verandah. We fit aids from several makers, no maker owns any part of us, and nobody here is paid commission on what you buy.
Ringing ears, wax, and the rest
Tinnitus
Ringing, buzzing or hissing that won’t go away. We can’t promise to make it stop, and you should be wary of anyone who does. We can find out what’s behind it and help you live with it more easily.
It starts with a full hearing test ($185). If a tinnitus session would help, we’ll tell you its fee before you book.
Ear wax removal $135
By gentle suction, with Priya, who is trained in it. If there’s no wax to remove, we’ll tell you and check your hearing instead.
Custom earplugs
Moulded to your ears, for musicians, swimmers and noisy work. Priced once we know what you need.
When you need a specialist
Some results need an ear, nose and throat doctor, or an assessment for a cochlear implant. We’ll explain why and write to your GP.
Three ways to pay
A government program, Medicare with a referral, or our own fees. They work differently, so here they are one at a time.
The Hearing Services Program
An Australian Government program for eligible people aged 21 and over. It can cover a hearing assessment and, if you need one, a hearing aid. You must always be offered a fully subsidised aid. A partly subsidised aid, with a gap to pay, is your choice.
- Who’s eligible: Pensioner Concession Card holders and their partners; some DVA card holders and their partners (a White Card only for a hearing condition); some Defence members; people referred through a government employment program
- Not on its own: a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- A yearly fee: with a fully subsidised aid there’s an annual maintenance fee, set by the program and indexed each year. A partly subsidised aid can cost more
Under 26, or in another group the program covers separately? That part of the program isn’t run by us, and we’ll point you to it. NDIS participants: hearing supports need to be in your plan before you buy.
Check your eligibility with the government’s checker
Conditions apply under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program.
Medicare, with a doctor’s referral
With a written request from your doctor, Medicare pays a benefit toward some diagnostic hearing tests. Screenings aren’t covered, and the benefit pays back only part of the fee. You pay our fee and claim the benefit back.
On a GP care plan for a chronic condition? With a referral, Medicare pays part of an eligible visit of 20 minutes or more. That comes out of five allied health visits a year, shared between everyone on your plan. Ask us for the current amount when you book.
Medicare-referred tests are with Priya, our audiologist. Bring the referral, or ask your GP to send it to us.
Our own fees
| Full hearing testAdults, 60 minutes | $185 |
|---|---|
| Children’s hearing testFrom 3, 45 minutes | $165 |
| Hearing screening15 minutes, not a diagnosis | Free |
| Ear wax removal | $135 |
| Hearing aid reviewAids bought elsewhere | $135 |
| Hearing aidsQuoted in writing after your test | Per aid |
Private health: some extras policies pay toward hearing tests and aids, after a waiting period your fund sets. Ask your fund for an estimate with our quote in hand.
Fees are for this fictional clinic.
Who you’ll see
Priya Nair
Audiologist and owner
Master of Clinical Audiology. Audiology Australia Accredited Audiologist.
Sees adults and children from 3, does the tests your doctor refers you for, and has a clinical interest in tinnitus.
Anjali Desai
Audiometrist
Certified practitioner, Australian College of Audiology.
Does hearing screenings for adults, and fits and looks after hearing aids.
Audiologist or audiometrist? Here, Priya the audiologist sees children and does Medicare-referred tests. Anjali the audiometrist works with adults on screenings and hearing aids.
You won’t find reviews about anyone’s hearing results on this site. Our industry’s code doesn’t allow them, and we think that’s fair.
The cottage with the ramp
41 Eton Street
Sutherland NSW 2232
Step-freeThe ramp runs from the footpath to the front door, and everything inside is on one level.
ParkingOn Eton Street, right out the front.
By trainA short walk from Sutherland station.
Opening hours
Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm| Monday | 9am to 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am to 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am to 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am to 5pm |
| Friday | 9am to 5pm |
| Saturday | By appointment |
| Sunday | Closed |
Write, or call. Whichever is easier.
Phone calls are hard for a lot of the people we see. Text and email work just as well, for bookings too.
Questions
Do I need a referral?
No, you can book yourself. A written request from your doctor only matters if you want Medicare to pay a benefit toward a diagnostic test.
Will I have to buy hearing aids?
No. A hearing test doesn’t mean you need hearing aids, and not everyone benefits from them. If you don’t need them, we’ll say so.
Can I book for my mum, dad or partner?
Yes. Tell us who it’s for and how they’d like us to get in touch. You’re welcome to come to the appointment with them.
What’s in a hearing aid quote?
Which aids, and how many (each is priced on its own, so a pair is two). The fitting and follow-ups included, any yearly costs, and the trial and return terms. All in writing, before you decide.
Can you help with aids bought elsewhere?
Usually. We can check, clean and adjust most brands. A few need the original clinic’s software, so text us the make and model and we’ll tell you before you come. A review is $135.
Can you test my child?
From age 3, with Priya. The test is played as a game, you stay in the room, and it takes about 45 minutes.
Can you book an interpreter?
Yes. Tell us the language, or that you’d like an Auslan interpreter, when you book.
What if my hearing changes suddenly?
Go to your local emergency department, today. Don’t wait for an appointment with us.
Start with a full hearing test
An hour, $185, and your results explained in plain words.