Most Australians are fairly consistent about getting their eyes tested every couple of years or having a regular blood pressure check. But hearing? That one tends to slip through the cracks — often until a family member starts commenting on the television volume.
Hearing assessments are a routine part of looking after your health as you get older, but many people are not sure how often they should be having one. The honest answer is that it depends on a few factors, including your age, your history, and whether you have noticed any changes. Here is a practical guide to help you think it through.
As a General Starting Point
For adults with no known hearing concerns and no significant noise exposure history, a hearing assessment every three to five years is a commonly cited benchmark from middle age onwards. This is not a hard rule — it is a starting point for thinking about your own situation.
Once you reach your 60s and beyond, many audiologists suggest reviewing your hearing more regularly — every one to two years — because age-related hearing change tends to become more common and can progress gradually without being immediately obvious.
If you have never had a hearing assessment and you are over 50, now is a reasonable time to get a baseline. A baseline result gives your audiologist something to compare against in future appointments, which makes monitoring changes over time much more meaningful.
Who May Benefit from More Frequent Checks
There are certain situations where more regular monitoring may be worth discussing with your audiologist. Every person's circumstances are different, but these are some common factors to consider.
Occupational noise exposure. If you have spent years in a noisy workplace — on a building site, in manufacturing, in mining, or around aircraft and heavy machinery — your ears may have experienced cumulative noise exposure over many years. In these situations, more regular monitoring may be worthwhile even before age-related changes would typically be expected.
Recreational noise exposure. Regular attendance at live music venues, use of power tools without hearing protection, or long-term use of headphones at high volumes are all factors worth mentioning to your audiologist when discussing how often to come in.
A family history of hearing loss. Hearing loss can run in families. If a parent or sibling experienced significant hearing change from a relatively early age, it is reasonable to be a little more proactive about monitoring your own hearing.
Tinnitus. If you have ongoing ringing, buzzing, or humming in your ears, regular hearing assessments allow your audiologist to track whether there are any associated changes in your hearing profile over time.
You already wear hearing aids. If you are a hearing aid wearer, you will generally see your audiologist more regularly than someone without devices — typically every twelve months. These appointments include hearing checks, device adjustments, and cleaning, which are all part of getting the best possible result from your hearing aids.
What Actually Happens at a Hearing Assessment?
A standard adult hearing assessment is straightforward and non-invasive. Your audiologist will typically:
Have a conversation with you to better understand your symptoms and communication needs
Look into your ear canals to check for earwax or any visible changes. At Hearing Help we have equipment that shows you inside the ear canal - so you can see what we can see.
Check your middle ear functioning - this may involve a variety of different assessments depending on each case.
Conduct a series of listening tests using headphones and a bone conduction headphone, where you respond when you hear tones at different frequencies and volumes
Conduct a speech discrimination test, where you repeat back words at various volumes to assess how well you process speech
Conduct a speech in noise test, to determine is you struggle to understand speech in noisy environments
Discuss the results with you in plain language and answer any questions you have
The appointment generally takes between 45 minutes and 90 minutes. You will leave with a clear picture of your hearing at that point in time.
At Hearing Help we also provide more comprehensive assessments for patients with specific needs or symptoms, such as tinnitus assessments, auditory processing assessments, cochlear implant assessments.
What If You Have Not Had One in Years — or Ever?
It is never too late to start. A first assessment at any age gives you a baseline and helps identify whether any changes are already present. If everything looks fine, you will have peace of mind and a clear point of reference for future checks. If your audiologist notices something worth monitoring or addressing, you are in a much better position for knowing about it sooner rather than later.
There is no value judgment attached to the result. A hearing assessment is simply information — and information helps you make better decisions about your health.
The Hearing Services Program
If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card or a DVA card, or meet other eligibility criteria, you may be able to access the Australian Government Hearing Services Program. This program covers a range of hearing care services, including assessments, with funding provided by the Australian Government for eligible participants. An independent audiologist such as our team at Hearing Help can assess your eligibility and explain what is covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a GP referral for a hearing test? In most cases, no. You can contact an audiologist directly to book an assessment. A GP referral may be needed if you would like to access a Medicare rebate, so it is worth calling ahead to check.
Is there a Medicare rebate for hearing tests? Yes if you have a valid doctor's referral and are a Medicare card holder. Please note the assessment will not be bulk billed, there will still be a fee. If you have questions feel free to contact the friendly staff at Hearing Help who are trained in helping patients navigate funding options.
How do I know if my hearing has actually changed? Gradual changes can be difficult to notice in everyday life. Comparing your current audiogram to a previous one is the most reliable way to detect subtle shifts over time — which is exactly why having a baseline and returning regularly is valuable.
What if I am nervous about what the results might show? Many people feel a little apprehensive before a first hearing assessment. It is worth knowing that whatever the result, you will not be pressured into any particular course of action. The appointment is simply about understanding your hearing clearly.
Ready to Book?
Whether you are due for a routine check, have noticed some changes, or simply want to establish a baseline, our team at Hearing Help is here to help. We serve the Redcliffe Peninsula, North Brisbane and broader Moreton Bay region with friendly, impartial hearing care.
Book a hearing assessment with our team — at your own pace, with no pressure.