Getting a hearing test

If you're concerned that you might have hearing loss and need hearing aids, it's best to have a hearing test done.

Poor hearing can have a considerable impact on your wider health, so don't put it off. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can be back to enjoying socialising and other activities.

To have an NHS hearing test, you'll need to be referred by your GP. Once you have, a qualified audiologist will carry out your assessment. You may also be referred to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor for further investigation of your hearing loss or ear problems.

If you want to try a free hearing check, the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) has one. You can do the check online or over the phone by calling 0844 800 3838, which is charged at the local rate. It's not the same as a full hearing check by an audiologist, but it's a good first step.

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What is hearing loss? 

Hearing loss is a partial or total inability to hear, and is the result of sound signals not reaching the brain. 

Warning signs that you might have hearing loss include:

• difficulty hearing people clearly, misinterpreting what they say
• perceiving others as mumbling, and asking them to repeat what they've said
• having the TV or radio turned up louder than other people need.

Hearing loss usually develops gradually as you get older, or as loud or continuous noise wears down the hearing, although it sometimes happens suddenly.

Types of hearing loss

Hearing loss can be conductive (including temporary causes such as a build up of ear wax), sensorineural (usually caused by ageing or exposure to loud noise), or a combination of both. 

Some conditions may require further medical investigation or treatment. Your GP will refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor if they're unable to treat it themselves.

Because hearing can deteriorate gradually, it may not be easy for you to recognise that you aren’t hearing so well. 

RNID has an online hearing test, as do big hearing aid companies such as Boots, Hidden Hearing, Scrivens and Specsavers. Shoebox is another online test you can try.

What can I do about hearing loss? 

First, visit your GP to rule out underlying causes, such as a wax build-up or infection. If you need a hearing test, you can either have an NHS or private one.

To see someone on the NHS, you'll need a referral from your GP. In some areas of England, you may be able to choose to see a private company for your NHS audiology care under the Any Qualified Provider scheme (AQP). If you’d rather buy your hearing aid yourself on the high street, you don't need a referral from your GP. 

Find out what Which? members said about their experiences of buying hearing aids with our NHS vs private hearing aid providers guide.

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What happens during a hearing test? 

Tests usually take place in a soundproofed booth and include air conduction testing. 

Sounds of different volumes and frequencies (low, middle and high) are played through headphones, and you press a handheld button when you hear them. 

The audiologist will gradually make them softer, testing the quietest sounds you can hear until they reach your ‘threshold’ of hearing at each frequency.

The test results, will show the audiologist whether your hearing loss is likely to be conductive or sensorineural. They will explain this to you and you can ask for a copy of your audiogram if you wish.

You'll also be asked a number of standard questions about your ears, general health and lifestyle, and any other symptoms you've been experiencing.  

Seeing an audiologist virtually

Remote care and check-ups, which may be more convenient for some, are more viable since Covid-19 made them a necessity.

The audiologist can even connect remotely to your hearing aids and make live adjustments, as if you were in the consultation room. The settings can then be saved into your hearing aids. 

So if you're unable to visit in person, ask about virtual appointments.

Do I need a hearing aid?

When you go for your hearing test, the audiologist will establish your levels of hearing, the type of hearing loss you might have, and whether a hearing aid is a suitable option for you.

Some ear conditions may call for further medical investigation or treatment instead of - or as well as - hearing aids, which the audiologist will arrange. This may be the case if you suffer from dizziness or there's a significant difference in hearing between your ears.

If you have sensorineural hearing loss, the damage can’t be repaired, and hearing aids won’t be able to fully restore your hearing - but they can significantly improve your quality of life.

If hearing aids are an option for you and you’d like to proceed, the audiologist will advise you on the best type of hearing aid to suit your hearing loss and lifestyle. Your audiologist will usually make an impression of your ear if you need an earmould, and you’ll need to return a few weeks later to have your hearing aid fitted.

Some types of hearing aid, called an ‘open-ear fitting’, don’t require an earmould. They can even sometimes be fitted on the same day as your test.

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What happens after my hearing test?

If you need hearing aids, you’ll go to a second appointment to have them fitted. You'll also be shown how to use them.

The hearing aids will be adjusted according to your levels of hearing, and you’ll then have a third appointment to check how you’re doing and resolve any problems.

Remember, it can take some time to get used to your hearing aids - usually between two and four weeks. If you’re still having problems after this time, book a follow-up appointment with your audiologist.

How long do hearing aids last?

It's up to you how often you have your hearing assessed, but we'd suggest an appointment with your audiologist every three to six months for hearing-aid maintenance, along with any adjustments if you feel you're not hearing so well, and every two years for a hearing test.

When you’re buying hearing aids privately, this comes at a cost, although most private suppliers will provide these appointments free of charge for at least the warranty of the hearing aids – usually two years. 

Before you buy anything, check with the audiologist or hearing-aid dispenser about the aftercare service they provide. A good ongoing relationship is key, so make sure you check our guide to the best and worst hearing aid providers first.

Hearing aids should typically last three to six years, so you’ll need to budget for buying new ones. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of replacing parts, such as batteries and wax traps – unless they're included in your plan.

It's likely that your hearing loss will change over time, although this is unpredictable. Usually, your hearing is quite stable and changes very little between one hearing test and the next (around every two years). However, hearing aids are flexible enough to be adjusted to changes in your hearing level, to ensure you're getting the optimum from them.

If you notice any significant deterioration, or you feel your hearing aids have stopped working as well as they did, seek advice from your audiologist. They should be able to identify the cause of the issue and get your hearing aids back to working optimally for you.

For more advice, check our guide to getting used to hearing aids.