How to get an NHS hearing test
Hearing tests
Overview
There are several ways you can get your hearing tested if it's getting gradually worse.
How to get an NHS hearing test
You can get a free hearing test on the NHS. Your GP may refer you to a hearing specialist (audiologist) who can do the test.
It could take a few weeks to see the specialist. So it will probably be quicker to get tested somewhere else, like at a large pharmacy or opticians, although you may have to pay for this.
Important
Always see a GP first if:
- you also have other symptoms, like earache or discharge - this could be something easily treatable like an earwax build-up or ear infection
- you have sudden hearing loss in one ear
- you're worried about your child's hearing
Other ways to get a hearing test
Online hearing test
You can do a simple online hearing test on the Action on Hearing Loss website.
This can tell you if you need to have a face-to-face hearing test.
Pharmacies and opticians
Lots of large pharmacies and opticians can do hearing tests.
The test is often free, but you'll normally have to pay for any treatment you might need (such as hearing aids).
What happens during a hearing test
You may have a few different tests during your appointment to check if you have hearing loss and find out the cause.
Common hearing tests include:
Test
Pure tone audiometry
What happens
you listen to different sounds through headphones and press a button or raise your hand each time you hear something
Test
Speech perception test
What happens
similar to a pure tone audiometry test but you listen to speech rather than sounds
Test
Tympanometry
What happens
a small device is placed in your ear to check for fluid behind your eardrum
These are hearing tests for adults. Newborn hearing tests and some hearing tests for children are different.
Selected links
NHS 111 Wales links
Hearing and vision tests for children
External links
Action on hearing loss - Your hearing
What is happening in Wales - Action on Hearing Loss