What is a hearing test?

A hearing test checks how well you can hear different sounds. The results can show what types of hearing loss you have and how severe it is. Hearing tests are most often done by an audiologist.

When is a hearing test used?

If you have hearing loss or think your hearing may be damaged, a hearing test can check this.

It can be hard to tell if you have hearing loss, because you may get used to small changes in your hearing. You may:

• have trouble hearing in noisy places
• have trouble hearing people on the phone
• often ask people to repeat themselves
• hear sounds as muffled, as though people are mumbling
• need to have the TV volume louder than other people
• hear buzzing or ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
• avoid situations because you have trouble hearing

Children with hearing loss may not always show clear symptoms. Your child might have hearing loss if they:

• don't turn their head when someone speaks from behind or to one side
• start speaking later than other children their age
• speak differently (unclear speech, loud voice)
• want the TV volume up high
• don't follow instructions, especially in noisy settings
• watch your face closely to understand what you're saying (lip-reading)
• are struggling at school with learning or speaking

In babies, signs may include not startling at loud noises or not responding to their name or to familiar voices by 6 months of age.

If you're not sure if you have hearing loss, you can do an online test. Online tests are a guide only — see an audiologist or your doctor for a hearing test.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

Where can I get a hearing test?

The Australian Government Hearing Services Program helps people who are eligible get free hearing services, including a hearing test. You can check if you're eligible on their website. Once you're approved, you can book an appointment with a hearing provider near you.

If you're not eligible for the program, you may be able to get a Medicare rebate for some hearing tests. You will need a referral from your ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist or neurologist.

What happens during a hearing test?

There are different types of hearing tests. How a hearing test works depends on the type of test and your age.

Adults and older children

Most older children and adults take a test called pure tone audiometry. In this test, you wear headphones and let the audiologist know when you hear a sound. The sounds get softer until you can't hear the sound anymore. This is how the test finds the quietest sounds that you can hear.

There are two parts to the test:

• air conduction — the sound is played through headphones into your ear, testing how well sound travels through your ear canal and middle ear
• bone conduction — a small vibrating device is put on the bone behind your ear. The test measures how well the device sends the sound directly through the bone to your inner ear

The results are shown on a chart called an audiogram. This helps your audiologist find out if you have hearing loss and how severe it is.

You might also have a tympanometry test. This checks the pressure in your middle ear and how your ear drum moves.

Babies and younger children

Babies under 6 months usually have one of these quick and gentle hearing tests:

• otoacoustic emissions (OAE) — a soft sound is played into your baby's ear. A tiny microphone checks how the inner ear reacts. Your baby can sleep during the test.
• automated auditory brain response (AABR) — small sticky pads (sensors) are placed on your baby's head. These check how the hearing nerve and brain respond to sounds.

Your baby doesn't need to do anything during these tests.

As children get older, they can do different tests depending on their age and what they can do:

• visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA) — sounds are played, if your child turns their head to the sound, they may get a reward
• conditioned play audiometry — your child is asked to do a fun task, such as putting a block in a bucket when they hear a sound
• pure tone audiometry — your child wears headphones and raises their hand or presses a button when they hear a sound

They may also have a tympanometry test.

Are there side effects or complications of a hearing test?

A hearing test is a safe test. There are no known complications.

Are there alternatives to a hearing test?

Some websites may offer online hearing tests. However, a hearing test done by an audiologist is the best way to check your hearing.

Resources and support

• The Australian Government Hearing Services Program provides subsidised hearing services for eligible people.
• You can also access a guide to hearing technology through the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
• The National Relay Service allows people with hearing loss or deafness to make free phone calls 24 hours a day. These include calls using the internet, SMS and video.
• Hearing Australia offers information on hearing loss in adults and children, hearing technologies and online tests.

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby has information on hearing loss in children and newborn hearing tests.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

The Multicultural Health Communication Service offers information about hearing loss and your baby in many community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

The National Acoustic Laboratories offers a program called Plum and Hats for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children with ear and hearing trouble.