What this tool is for

If something feels off with your ears or your hearing and you are not sure what to do next, this tool gives you a starting point. You describe what you are noticing, whether that is muffled hearing, ringing, pain, a feeling of fullness, or balance problems, and you get a plain English write up of what might be behind it and whether it is worth booking an appointment with your GP or a pharmacist.

It is not a diagnosis and it will not replace a proper examination, but it can help you make sense of symptoms before you decide what to do.

When it might help

This is aimed at people in the UK who have noticed a change in their hearing or ear health and want a clearer idea of what is going on. That could be a sudden drop in hearing on one side, tinnitus that has started keeping you awake, an earache that will not settle, a blocked feeling after a cold, or dizziness when you turn your head. It is also useful if you are preparing for a GP visit and want to think through how to describe what you are feeling.

If your symptoms are severe, came on very suddenly, or involve sudden hearing loss, severe pain, discharge, or dizziness with other neurological signs, please contact NHS 111 or your GP straight away rather than relying on an online tool.

How it works

You answer a handful of short questions about your symptoms, how long they have been going on, and anything that seems to make them better or worse. The tool then gives you a written summary covering likely causes, self care steps where appropriate, and a clear suggestion on whether to see your GP, a pharmacist, or an audiologist, along with what tends to happen at that kind of appointment. You do not need to sign up or give any personal details, and your answers are not saved once you leave the page.