How a Hearing Test Works
A hearing test — also called a hearing assessment or audiological evaluation — is a comfortable, non-invasive appointment that typically takes 45 to 90 minutes. An audiologist guides you through a series of simple listening tasks and checks, then explains what the results mean for you and answers any questions you have.
Why Would Someone Have a Hearing Test?
People come in for a hearing assessment for all sorts of reasons. You might have noticed that conversations are harder to follow in noisy places, or that you need the television louder than other people in the room prefer. A family member might have mentioned they have to repeat themselves often. Sometimes there is a gradual ringing or buzzing sound that is hard to ignore.
Other people book an appointment simply because they have not had their hearing checked in a while and want a baseline measure — much like getting eyes tested routinely.
There is no single “right” reason to have your hearing assessed. If something has prompted a question in your mind, booking an appointment is a sensible next step.
What Happens Before the Test
Booking Your Appointment
When you contact Hearing Help, the team will ask a few brief questions — your age, any specific concerns, and whether you hold a pensioner concession card or DVA card, as this may affect your eligibility for government-subsidised services.
You do not need a referral from a GP to book a private hearing assessment, though a referral is required for some government-funded appointments.
What to Bring
- Your Medicare card
- Pensioner concession card or DVA card if applicable
- A list of any medications you are currently taking
- A friend or family member if you would like support (many people find this helpful)
Step-by-Step: What Happens During a Hearing Assessment
Step 1 — Case History
Your audiologist will sit down with you and ask about your hearing health background. This includes:
- When you first noticed any changes
- Whether the difficulty is in one ear or both
- Your work history and any exposure to loud noise over the years
- Any family history of hearing difficulty
- General health and current medications
This conversation helps the audiologist understand your individual situation before any testing begins. It usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 2 — Otoscopy (Looking in the Ears)
The audiologist uses a small, lighted instrument called an otoscope to look inside each ear canal. This checks for:
- Earwax build-up
- Signs of infection or inflammation
- The condition of the eardrum
This part takes only a minute or two and is completely non-invasive.
Step 3 — Pure Tone Audiometry
This is the main hearing test most people are familiar with. You will sit in a quiet room or booth and wear a pair of headphones (or small earphones placed in the ear canal). The audiologist plays a series of tones at different pitches and volumes through the headphones.
When you hear a tone, you press a button or raise your hand. There are no right or wrong answers — the audiologist is simply finding the softest sound you can detect at each pitch.
The results are recorded on a chart called an audiogram, which maps your hearing at different frequencies. Your audiologist will explain what this means in plain language when the test is complete.
Step 4 — Bone Conduction Testing (if required)
In some cases, the audiologist places a small vibrating device behind the ear rather than using headphones. This sends sound vibrations through the bone directly to the inner ear, bypassing the ear canal and middle ear. The comparison between air conduction and bone conduction results helps identify the type and location of any hearing difficulty.
Step 5 — Speech Testing
You may be asked to repeat back words or sentences at different volume levels. This helps the audiologist understand not just whether you can hear sounds, but how clearly you can distinguish speech — which is often what matters most in day-to-day life.
Step 6 — Tympanometry (Middle Ear Testing)
A small, soft probe is placed gently at the entrance to the ear canal. It produces a low tone and measures how the eardrum and middle ear system respond to slight changes in air pressure. This checks for fluid behind the eardrum or other middle ear conditions.
Step 7 — Results and Discussion
Once all tests are complete, your audiologist will go through the results with you. They will explain:
- What the audiogram shows about your hearing at different frequencies
- Whether any follow-up is recommended
- What options may be relevant to your situation
If hearing aids or other support could be helpful, your audiologist will explain the range of options available and answer your questions. There is never any obligation to make a decision on the day.
How Long Does a Hearing Test Take?
A comprehensive adult hearing assessment typically takes between 45 and 90 minutes from start to finish, including the discussion at the end. It is worth setting aside a full hour so you do not feel rushed.
Does a Hearing Test Hurt?
No. The tests used in a comprehensive hearing assessment are non-invasive and comfortable. Nothing enters the ear canal beyond a soft probe tip or earphone. There are no injections, no bright lights, and no discomfort.
What Does the Audiogram Mean?
The audiogram is a graph showing your hearing threshold — the softest sound you could detect — at several different pitches. The horizontal axis shows frequency (from low-pitched sounds on the left to high-pitched sounds on the right). The vertical axis shows volume in decibels (dB), with softer sounds at the top and louder sounds lower down.
Your audiologist will explain exactly what your results mean for you, as individual hearing profiles vary considerably. The same audiogram can affect two people’s daily lives quite differently depending on their lifestyle, occupation, and the listening situations they encounter most often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to get a hearing test? For a private hearing assessment, no referral is needed — you can book directly. If you are looking to access services through the Australian Government’s Hearing Services Program, a referral from a GP or specialist is generally required. Your audiologist can explain the process during your consultation.
How often should I have my hearing checked? This varies from person to person. Adults with no known hearing difficulty are often advised to have a baseline assessment in their 50s and to recheck every few years after that, or sooner if they notice any change. Your audiologist can recommend a schedule that suits your situation.
Can I bring someone with me? Yes, and many people find it helpful to have a family member or close friend along. They may notice things you have not, and having a second set of ears for the results discussion can be useful.
What if the test shows I have some hearing difficulty? Your audiologist will explain what the results mean and what options may be worth discussing. This could range from monitoring and strategies for difficult listening environments, through to hearing aids or referral to a specialist. Everyone’s situation is different, and there is never any pressure to decide anything on the day.
Are hearing tests covered by Medicare or private health insurance? Standard hearing assessments are not routinely bulk-billed under Medicare for adults, though eligible Australians may access subsidised assessments through the Hearing Services Program. Some private health insurance extras policies include a benefit for hearing assessments — it is worth checking your cover. Your audiologist can discuss funding options with you.
Take the First Step
If you have been wondering about your hearing — or if someone close to you has raised the topic — a comprehensive hearing assessment is a straightforward way to get answers.
Hearing Help serves the Redcliffe Peninsula and Moreton Bay region. Our team is happy to answer any questions before you book. Get in touch to find a time that suits you.