Free Hearing Tests Available at Home or in Clinic
What happens at a hearing test?
Curious about what actually happens during a hearing test? We believe in complete transparency – no surprises, no hidden procedures. The hearing test, or consultation, should be a pleasant and informative experience.
The variety of possible tests that a hearing aid audiologist can perform is huge. The general structure of the initial consultation will normally follow the basic structure detailed below.
Case history. Your story matters – we listen before we test.
The hearing aid audiologist will ask lots of questions about your hearing, your health and other associated topics. It is important that the patient is open and honest, as there may be important factors that need consideration. Certain conditions can be identified, and the appropriate treatment or referral can be offered.
If hearing aids are to be ultimately prescribed, they need to deliver the expected requirements. In most cases, the hearing aid audiologist will ask for a friend or relative to be present at this appointment.
This can be particularly useful as hearing loss can affect the lives of other people as well. A patient may overlook certain key issues or downplay significant problems.
Otoscopy. A closer look inside – because healthy ears are the foundation of better hearing.
The hearing aid audiologist will perform a thorough examination of the ear (pinna), ear canal ( external auditory meatus) and eardrum (tympanic membrane).
They will use a hand-held otoscope, which is essentially a small torch with magnification that can see into the ear canal. Some audiologists may use a video otoscope that can display the image on a computer. This can be a fascinating experience as most people never get the chance to see inside their own ears.
The audiologist is looking for any abnormalities or telltale signs that can indicate possible problems. Normal, healthy ears produce wax. Some people can have a build-up of wax in their ears that can cause temporary hearing loss. If this is the case, then this will need to be removed before any further hearing testing can be done.
Good news: Sometimes the solution is simpler than you think – like removing excess wax. This needs to be performed by a suitably qualified person and, on most occasions, requires syringing or microsuction. Some hearing aid audiologists can do this themselves, but this is relatively rare.
Pure tone audiometry (air conduction). The gold standard test – precise, painless, and revealing.
The patient will be instructed to raise their hand, indicate or press a button when they hear a sound. Headphones will be placed on the patient's ears, and a variety of different-pitched sounds will be played to them at different levels.
The headphones will be connected to an audiometer. The main purpose of this test is to establish the quietest sound a person can hear in each ear.
This is known as their threshold of hearing. A “normal” healthy average threshold should score 0dB on all the frequencies tested.
Zero decibels doesn’t actually mean they can hear a stimulus of “nothing” as the decibel scale is actually a logarithmic conversion of the Pascal measurement of sound pressure. Indeed, some people can actually hear negative dB measurements such as -10dB (which are not really negative values at all).
Bone conduction audiometry. The detective test – helping us understand exactly where your hearing challenge lies.
This is a similar test to the air conduction test above. The instructions to the patient are the same, but the headphones consist of a headband that has a vibrating pad on one side and nothing on the other. This vibrating pad is placed against the bone behind the ear (mastoid), and the sound travels directly through the skull and into the inner ear (cochlea).
This effectively bypasses the outer and middle ear. The purpose of this test is to ascertain the location and nature of the hearing loss.
If the hearing loss is a result of problems with just the outer or middle ear, then the bone conduction test results may show a normal or “zero” reading, whereas the air conduction test would show a hearing loss.
If there is a difference between the air conduction reading and the bone conduction reading, then this is called an “air-bone gap” and is an indication of outer or middle ear problems.
This type of hearing loss is called a conductive loss, as the sound is being impeded from conducting along the auditory pathway to the inner ear. If the air conduction and bone conduction readings both show hearing loss, then the patient is most likely suffering a “nerve deafness” relating to the inner ear, which is much more common.
Understanding your results means understanding your options – and we explain everything in plain English.
As mentioned, there are many other tests that can be performed. In certain circumstances, it may be possible for the ear on the other side to hear the sound being presented to one side. In this case, it may be necessary for an audiologist to play a “masking” sound to the non-test ear whilst the other ear is being tested.
This usually sounds like a rushing noise rather than a beep. Some audiologists use tuning forks, which are struck and then placed near the ear and then on the skull. This is perhaps a little theatrical, but some people like it.
When are hearing aids needed to treat hearing loss?
Not every hearing loss requires hearing aids – but when they do, the difference can be life-changing. You may benefit from hearing aids if you:
- Have hearing thresholds above 25-30 dB in speech frequencies
- Struggle to follow conversations, especially in noisy places
- Find yourself frequently asking "what?" or turning up the TV volume
- Are avoiding social situations due to hearing difficulties
- Miss important sounds like doorbells, phone calls, or safety alerts
When hearing aids might not be needed immediately:
- Earwax blockages that can be safely removed
- Medical conditions requiring ENT specialist treatment first
- Very mild hearing loss that doesn't impact daily life
Modern hearing aids are remarkably effective for most permanent hearing loss, and with our 60-day money-back guarantee, you can try them completely risk-free. Ready to find out if hearing aids could help you? Your free consultation will give you all the answers you need.
Have any questions about free hearing tests near you?
Ready to discover what you've been missing? Your comprehensive hearing test is completely free. Call us free on 0800 567 7721, we are open 8am to 8pm 7 days a week, to speak to one of our audiologists who will be happy to help you with any hearing healthcare enquiries.
Alternatively, you can fill out the form or watch our hearing aids and hearing healthcare videos below to discover more about who we are here Knowledge is power – and your hearing test is the first step to reclaiming the sounds you love.
