What to expect from a hearing test in Australia

What to expect from a hearing test in Australia

*This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Hearing health is individual, and assessment results should always be interpreted by a qualified hearing health professional. If you are concerned about your hearing, please consult an accredited hearing healthcare provider for personalised advice.*

Why a hearing test matters

When was the last time you had your hearing checked?

For most Australians, the honest answer is either "years ago" or "never". Yet hearing connects us to conversation, to music, to the sounds of daily life and the people we care about. Untreated hearing changes can affect communication and relationships — and for many people, a comprehensive hearing assessment is the first step toward understanding what is actually going on.

The good news is that a thorough hearing check takes less than an hour. It is painless, it requires no special preparation, and it gives you clear, useful information about your hearing health.

Whether you have noticed difficulty following conversations in noisy places, been asked to turn the television down, or simply want to establish a baseline, this guide walks you through everything you need to know — from the different types of tests available to what those lines on your audiogram actually mean.

What a hearing test involves

A comprehensive hearing assessment is not a single test. Depending on your age, symptoms, and concerns, your hearing health professional may use several different assessment tools together. Here is what each one does.

Pure tone Audiometry

Pure tone audiometry is the core hearing test — the one most people think of when the subject comes up. You wear headphones in a sound-treated environment and listen for a series of tones at different pitches and volumes. Each time you hear a tone, you press a button or raise your hand.

The test measures the quietest sounds you can detect at each frequency. These are your hearing thresholds, and they form the data that gets plotted on your audiogram. Each ear is tested separately, and the whole process typically takes around 15 to 20 minutes.

Speech Audiometry

Pure tone audiometry tells us how faint a sound needs to be before you can hear it. Speech audiometry goes further — it measures how well you understand spoken words, which is usually the thing that matters most in everyday life.

You will repeat back words or sentences presented through headphones at different volume levels. Testing may include speech in quiet and speech in the presence of background noise. The results reveal two key figures: your Speech Reception Threshold (the softest speech you can reliably understand) and your Word Recognition Score (how clearly you understand speech when it is loud enough to hear). These figures help a qualified hearing health professional understand how any hearing change is affecting your real-world communication.

Tympanometry

Tympanometry is not a hearing test in the strict sense — it is a middle ear function test. A soft tip is placed gently in your ear canal, air pressure is briefly adjusted, and the device measures how your eardrum responds. The whole thing takes around 30 seconds per ear and causes no discomfort.

The result is a tympanogram. A normal middle ear produces a characteristic peak on this graph. Flat or abnormal patterns may indicate fluid behind the eardrum, a perforation, or problems with the tiny bones of the middle ear. Many of these conditions are medically treatable, which is why tympanometry is such a useful part of the assessment.

Bone conduction testing

Bone conduction testing is typically performed as part of pure tone audiometry. Instead of playing sound through headphones, a small vibrator is placed on the mastoid bone behind your ear. You respond the same way — pressing a button or raising your hand when you hear a tone.

Comparing air conduction results (through headphones) with bone conduction results allows your clinician to distinguish between sensorineural hearing changes (inner ear or auditory nerve) and conductive hearing changes (outer or middle ear). That distinction is important because conductive causes are often medically treatable.

Otoacoustic emissions

Otoacoustic emission (OAE) testing measures sounds produced by the cochlea in response to clicks or tones. A small probe with a microphone sits in your ear canal. You do not need to respond to anything — the test is entirely passive and takes around five minutes per ear.

OAE testing is particularly common in newborn hearing screenings and in assessments where the clinician needs to check the health of the cochlea's outer hair cells directly.

Auditory Brainstem Response

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing measures the electrical activity of the auditory nerve and brainstem in response to sound. Small electrodes are placed on your head, and you simply relax while clicking sounds are played through earphones. ABR is often used when standard behavioural testing is not possible — for example, with young infants — or when a hearing nerve problem is suspected. It can take one to two hours.

Otoscopy

Before any testing begins, your clinician will use an otoscope to look inside your ear canals and at your eardrums. They are checking for earwax buildup, signs of infection, eardrum health, and any visible structural concerns. If significant wax is present, removal may be recommended before testing to ensure accurate results.

Understanding your audiogram

Your audiogram looks like a graph covered in symbols and lines. Here is what it all means.

The two axes

Frequency (pitch) runs along the horizontal axis, measured in Hertz (Hz). Low-pitched sounds sit on the left — think a bass drum or rumbling thunder. High-pitched sounds sit on the right — birdsong, the consonants "s", "f", and "th", and the high end of speech.

Volume (intensity) runs along the vertical axis, measured in decibels (dB). Softer sounds sit near the top of the chart. Louder sounds sit toward the bottom.

What the symbols mean

• O = Right ear, air conduction
• X = Left ear, air conduction
• < or [ = Right ear, bone conduction
• > or ] = Left ear, bone conduction

Red typically marks the right ear; blue marks the left.

Your hearing thresholds are plotted for each frequency. The lower on the chart a symbol appears, the louder a sound needs to be for you to detect it.

Degrees of hearing change

Range Classification **What You Might Notice** ———————– ———————– ———————– 0–20 dB Normal Can hear whispers and very soft sounds

21–40 dB Mild Soft speech and quiet sounds may be missed

41–70 dB Moderate Normal conversation volume is challenging

71–90 dB Severe Very loud speech may be needed

91+ dB Profound Significant difficulty even with raised voice ———————————————————————–

Common audiogram patterns

High-frequency hearing loss is the most common pattern — the line slopes downward on the right side of the audiogram. People often describe hearing someone talk but not being able to make out exactly what they said. This happens because high-frequency consonant sounds carry most of the meaning in speech.

Flat hearing loss means thresholds are similar across all frequencies. This can occur with certain medical conditions or genetic factors.

Low-frequency hearing loss is less common and can make voices sound thin or muffled in a different way from high-frequency loss.

The air-bone gap

When bone conduction thresholds are significantly better than air conduction thresholds, this "air-bone gap" suggests a conductive component — a mechanical problem in the outer or middle ear that may be treatable. When both measures are similar, the change is likely sensorineural, originating in the cochlea or auditory nerve.

The speech banana

You may see a shaded banana-shaped region on your audiogram. This represents where the sounds of everyday speech fall in terms of frequency and volume. Vowels tend to be lower-frequency and louder; consonants are higher-frequency and softer. If your thresholds fall outside the speech banana, you may be missing specific speech sounds.

Who should have a hearing test

Hearing changes often develop gradually, making them easy to miss or explain away. These are the signs that it is time to book an assessment.

Communication difficulties:

• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
• Following conversations in groups or noisy environments is exhausting
• Telephone calls feel harder than they used to
• Others say the television volume is too loud
• You find yourself watching people's lips without realising it

Physical symptoms:

• Ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Ear pain or discharge

Occupational or lifestyle factors:

• You work or have worked in a noisy industry (construction, mining, manufacturing, farming, entertainment)
• Regular exposure to loud music or machinery
• Taking medications known to affect hearing (certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, high-dose aspirin)

Medical or family history:

• Close family members with early-onset hearing changes
• You have been advised by your GP or specialist that your health conditions may affect your hearing
• Previous ear infections, ear surgery, or head injury

Sudden change: A rapid decrease in hearing over 72 hours or less is a medical emergency. Do not wait for a routine appointment — contact your GP, an ENT specialist, or an emergency department immediately.

How often should you have a hearing test

Regular hearing checks are a sensible part of maintaining your health, much like dental or vision appointments. The recommended frequency depends on your age and circumstances.

Under 50, no concerns: A baseline test in early adulthood if not previously done, then every 10 years unless concerns arise.

50 to 60: Every 3 to 5 years, or sooner if you notice any of the signs above.

60 and over: Every 2 to 3 years. From 70 onwards, annual checks are appropriate if hearing changes have been identified.

Workers in noisy environments: Australian workplace health and safety regulations require regular hearing surveillance for workers exposed to noise levels exceeding 85 dB(A) over an eight-hour period. Your employer should arrange this.

Existing hearing changes: If you already use hearing devices, annual testing ensures your devices remain appropriately programmed and any progression is tracked promptly.

Hearing test costs and funding in Australia

One of the most common questions people have is whether they will need to pay for a hearing test. The answer depends on your situation.

Private clinics

Many private hearing care clinics offer complimentary initial hearing assessments. This typically includes otoscopy, pure tone audiometry, speech testing, tympanometry, and a results discussion. Contact your chosen clinic to confirm what their assessment includes and whether any fees apply.

A complimentary assessment does not mean reduced quality. You should receive thorough testing, a clear explanation of results, and written information to take away. You are never obligated to purchase hearing devices or proceed with any follow-up service.

The Hearing Services Program (government funded)

Eligible Australians can access fully funded hearing assessments and subsidised hearing devices through the Commonwealth Hearing Services Program (HSP). The program is separate from Medicare and is administered by the Department of Health.

Who is eligible:

• Pensioners holding a valid Pensioner Concession Card
• Veterans and war widows/widowers (DVA card holders)
• Children and young people up to age 26 with significant hearing loss
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 and over (or any age in certain remote areas)
• NDIS participants with hearing goals in their plan

Services under the HSP include free comprehensive hearing assessments and access to subsidised or fully funded hearing devices. Bring your concession or DVA card when booking.

Medicare

Medicare does not typically cover routine hearing tests at private clinics. However, if a specialist (such as an ENT physician) orders a hearing test as part of investigating a medical condition, Medicare rebates may apply. Some GP-delivered hearing screening services may also attract a rebate. Speak to your GP or clinic about your specific situation.

Private Health Insurance

If you hold extras cover, your private health insurer may provide rebates for hearing assessments and devices. Rebate amounts vary considerably between funds and policy levels — contact your insurer directly to confirm your entitlement. Be aware that waiting periods often apply to hearing-related services on new policies.

Booking a hearing assessment on the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast has qualified hearing health professionals across the region, from Caloundra to Noosa.

When choosing a clinic, look for:

• A qualified hearing aid audiometrist (ACAud member) or audiologist (AudA member)
• Soundproof or sound-treated testing facilities
• Modern, calibrated testing equipment
• Clear and transparent information about what the assessment includes and any associated fees
• Ongoing support and follow-up care

At Hearing Care, qualified hearing aid audiometrist Linda Whittaker provides comprehensive hearing assessments from the clinic's Sunshine Coast rooms. With over 20 years of experience and ACAud credentials, Linda takes the time to understand your concerns, conduct thorough testing, and explain what the results mean for your daily life.

To find out about booking and appointment availability, contact the clinic directly.

Key takeaways

A comprehensive hearing assessment includes pure tone audiometry, speech testing, tympanometry, and a thorough results discussion. Tests are painless and typically take under an hour. Results are plotted on an audiogram that shows your hearing thresholds across frequencies, and your clinician will explain what those results mean in terms of your day-to-day communication.

For most adults over 50, a check every two to three years is sensible. Anyone experiencing sudden hearing loss should seek urgent medical attention — do not wait.

Funded options exist for eligible Australians through the Hearing Services Program. Many private clinics offer complimentary initial assessments. The first step is simply making the appointment.

*This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice.*

Take the next step

If anything in this guide reflects your own situation, a comprehensive hearing assessment is the most reliable next step. At Hearing Care on the Sunshine Coast, Linda Whittaker — a Senior Clinical Audiometrist with over 20 years of experience and ACAud accreditation — provides unhurried, individualised hearing care in a supportive environment.

We see clients from Caloundra, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Buderim, Noosa and across the wider Sunshine Coast region. Eligible patients can access fully funded hearing services through the Australian Government's Hearing Services Program.

Individual results vary. Professional hearing assessment is required to determine the most appropriate management approach for your specific situation.