Free hearing tests

It is not uncommon in Australia to see advertising in the media, billboards, shopping centre posters, letterbox flyers or even on a bus, with the words "Free Hearing Test". Often no-cost tests are not full diagnostic hearing assessments, but rather useful screening tools that provide a snapshot of where your hearing levels may be. They are typically designed to discern if further referral and testing with an audiologist is required. Free tests may be administered by trained screening staff who are not accredited audiologists, and testing is typically shorter in duration, 5-10 minutes compared to a full diagnostic test which may take 35-45minutes. 

A full diagnostic assessment conducted in a soundproof booth with calibrated equipment by an accredited audiologist, includes otocopsy (visual examination inside your ear canal), testing under headphones, bone conduction (a small headband that is placed behind the ear that sends sounds via vibration), speech testing, middle ear pressure measurements and acoustic reflexes (playing loud sounds to record a stapedial reflex in the auditory system). 

With this in mind, the online hearing screening tools we have selected are just a guide, used at your own risk and discretion as they do not replace a hearing assessment with your audiologist.