What Is a Hearing Test?

A hearing test is a painless assessment that measures how well you hear different sounds. It's the first step to understanding your hearing health and finding solutions if there's a problem. If you're ready to get started, you can book a hearing test in Gloucester through our free referral service.

Why Have a Hearing Test?

Hearing loss often develops gradually, making it easy to miss. Many people wait years before getting tested, but early detection leads to better outcomes. A hearing test can:

• Detect hearing loss before it becomes severe
• Identify the type and cause of hearing problems
• Rule out medical conditions that need treatment
• Establish a baseline for monitoring changes
• Determine if hearing aids would help

What Happens During a Hearing Test?

1. Case History

The audiologist starts by asking about your hearing concerns, medical history, lifestyle, and any situations where you struggle to hear. This helps them understand your needs.

2. Ear Examination (Otoscopy)

Using a special instrument, they look inside your ear canals to check for wax buildup, infections, or anything that might affect the test results.

3. Pure Tone Audiometry

This is the main test. You wear headphones and listen for beeps at different pitches and volumes. You press a button or raise your hand when you hear a sound. It maps your hearing across the frequency range.

4. Speech Testing

You listen to spoken words at different volumes and repeat them back. This shows how well you understand speech - which is what matters most in daily life.

5. Results Discussion

The audiologist shows you your audiogram and explains what it means in plain English. They'll discuss any recommendations and answer your questions.

Understanding Your Audiogram

Your results are plotted on an audiogram - a graph showing:

• Frequency (pitch) - from low sounds (like bass) to high sounds (like birds)
• Volume level - how loud a sound needs to be for you to hear it

Normal hearing means you can hear quiet sounds (below 20 decibels) across all frequencies. If your results fall below this line, you have some degree of hearing loss.

Types of Hearing Loss

A hearing test can identify different types of hearing loss:

• Sensorineural - damage to the inner ear or hearing nerve (most common, often age-related)
• Conductive - sound can't pass through the outer or middle ear (often treatable)
• Mixed - a combination of both types

Free vs Private Hearing Tests

In the UK, you have two main options:

• NHS - Free, but requires GP referral and waiting times can be long
• Private - No referral needed, usually seen within days, more time with the audiologist

We can help you find both free and private hearing test options in Gloucester, as well as across Gloucestershire including Cheltenham, Stroud, and Tewkesbury.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a hearing test take?

A comprehensive test takes 45-60 minutes, including consultation, testing, and discussion of results.

Is a hearing test painful?

No, it's completely painless. You simply listen to sounds through headphones and respond when you hear them.

Do I need a GP referral?

Not for a private hearing test. You can book directly with an audiologist. We can help you find a local hearing test without the wait.

What do the results mean?

Results are shown on an audiogram. The audiologist will explain exactly what your results mean and recommend next steps if needed.