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If you have noticed that you miss words in conversations, turn the television up more than others like,
or ask people to repeat themselves, a hearing test is the clearest next step.
It replaces guessing with facts: whether your hearing has changed, how much, at which pitches and in which ear.
Many people put the test off because they are not sure where to go or what will happen.
This guide explains both.
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The appointment is usually quick and painless, and knowing what to expect makes it much easier to book.
Who can test your hearing
Several kinds of professionals and places offer hearing tests:
- Audiologists, licensed hearing health professionals who diagnose hearing and balance problems and can fit hearing aids.
- Hearing aid specialists, licensed in their state to test hearing for the purpose of fitting and selling hearing aids.
- Ear, nose and throat doctors, physicians who treat medical conditions of the ear, often working together with audiologists.
- Your primary care doctor, who can do a basic screening and refer you for a full test.
If you have sudden hearing loss, pain, drainage from the ear, dizziness or hearing loss in only one ear,
see a doctor promptly rather than starting with a hearing aid store.
Screening or full evaluation?
A screening is a short check, sometimes done online, by phone or at a health fair, that tells you whether you might have hearing loss.
A full hearing evaluation, done by an audiologist or other qualified professional in a quiet booth, measures your hearing in detail.
A screening is a good start; a full evaluation is what you need before making decisions about treatment or devices.
What happens during the appointment
- Questions about your history: when you noticed changes, noise exposure, medications, ear infections and how hearing affects daily life.
- A look inside your ears with a small light, to check for wax or other issues.
- Pure-tone test: you wear headphones and signal each time you hear a beep, at different pitches and volumes.
- Speech tests: you repeat words at different volumes, sometimes with background noise.
- Other tests as needed, such as checking how your eardrum moves.
- Results and next steps: the professional explains your results and options.
A full evaluation usually takes about an hour or less. Nothing in it is painful.
How to read your results
Results are usually shown on a chart called an audiogram.
It plots the softest sounds you can hear at each pitch, from low to high.
Hearing loss is often described as mild, moderate, severe or profound.
Many adults with age-related hearing loss first lose the high pitches, which carry many consonant sounds,
which is why speech can sound like mumbling even when it is loud enough.
Ask for a copy of your audiogram.
It is useful if you later compare hearing aids, see another professional or want to track changes over time.
How to prepare
- Write down the situations where hearing is hardest for you.
- Bring a list of your medications.
- Bring a family member if possible; they often notice things you do not.
- Avoid loud noise the day before the test.
- Bring your questions written down.
Questions to ask after the test
- Do I have hearing loss, and how much, in each ear?
- Is there any medical cause that needs treatment?
- Would hearing aids help me, and which type?
- Could over-the-counter hearing aids work for my level of hearing loss?
- When should I be tested again?
Bringing someone with you
A family member or close friend can make the appointment more useful.
They can describe situations where they noticed you missing words,
help you remember the explanation of your results and ask questions you might not think of.
Some professionals also use a familiar voice during part of the speech testing,
because understanding the people you live with is what matters most in daily life.
If your results are normal
A normal result is good news, and it is still useful.
It gives you a baseline to compare with in the future.
If you still have trouble in certain situations, such as very noisy places, ask the professional about strategies that help,
and consider repeating the test if things change.
Some people with normal results on a standard test still struggle in noise, and it is worth mentioning that clearly.
If your results show hearing loss
Take time to understand the options before deciding.
Depending on the type and degree of hearing loss, the professional may recommend a medical evaluation, prescription hearing aids,
over-the-counter hearing aids, other assistive devices or simply monitoring.
Ask for the reasons behind each recommendation and for the details in writing, so you can compare calmly at home.
What it may cost
Costs vary by provider and insurance.
Original Medicare does not cover routine hearing exams for fitting hearing aids, but it covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams in certain situations.
Many Medicare Advantage and private insurance plans include some hearing benefits.
Ask your plan, and the provider's office, before the appointment.
Don't wait for it to get worse
Hearing changes are usually gradual, and the brain adapts to them, so they are easy to underestimate.
A test gives you a baseline even if your results are normal.
If they are not, you will have clear information to decide calmly, rather than when a problem becomes urgent.
Booking the appointment is often the hardest part; the test itself is usually over sooner than people expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I test my hearing online?
Online and app-based screenings can suggest whether you might have hearing loss, but they do not replace a full evaluation.
How often should adults get a hearing test?
There is no single rule for everyone.
Many professionals suggest a baseline test in adulthood and regular checks as you get older or if you notice changes.
Do I need a referral?
Not always. It depends on your insurance and the provider.
Ask your plan.
This article is general information and does not replace advice from a licensed hearing professional or physician.
Sources and Further Reading
- NIDCD — Age-related hearing loss: signs, causes and what to do.
- ASHA — Hearing: information about hearing tests and audiologists.
- Medicare.gov — Hearing and balance exams: what Medicare covers for hearing exams.