How a Hearing Test Works

Before the Test

You will usually be asked some questions about your hearing, your general health, and any concerns you have noticed — such as difficulty following conversations in noisy places. The audiologist may also look inside your ears with a light to check for any obvious build-up of ear wax or other visible issues.

The Hearing Test Itself

The most common test involves wearing headphones and listening for a series of tones at different pitches and volumes, indicating when you can hear each one, usually by pressing a button or raising a hand. This is painless and typically takes around 20 to 30 minutes in total, including discussion.

Some assessments also include a speech-in-noise test, where you repeat back words or short sentences played over background noise. This helps the audiologist understand not just whether you can hear individual tones, but how well you follow real speech in everyday, less-than-quiet situations.

Understanding the Results

Your results are usually shown on a chart called an audiogram, which maps the quietest sounds you can hear at different pitches. The audiologist will talk you through what it shows in plain terms, including whether there is any hearing loss and, if so, roughly what level and pattern it follows.

It can help to bring someone with you, or make a few notes afterwards, simply so the information sinks in properly — there is no need to remember everything from a single conversation, and a good audiologist is happy to go over it again.

What Happens Next

If hearing loss is identified, the audiologist will explain your options, which may include hearing aids. You are never obligated to proceed with anything on the spot — the assessment is about understanding your hearing, and any decision about hearing aids can be made in your own time.

If no significant hearing loss is found but you are still experiencing difficulties, the audiologist may suggest other explanations to discuss with your GP, such as ear wax build-up or another underlying cause.