Where to Get a Hearing Test Near You

Who performs hearing tests?

Audiologists hold a clinical doctorate in audiology (Au.D.) and specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, and rehabilitating hearing and balance disorders. They conduct full diagnostic audiograms — the gold standard for measuring the type and degree of any hearing loss — and can fit and program hearing aids 1Ref 1National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (2024).Who Can I Turn to for Help with My Hearing Loss?.Roles of audiologists, ENT specialists, and primary care providers in hearing evaluation; starting with a primary care provider who can refer to specialists. An audiologist is the right choice for a comprehensive hearing evaluation.

ENT physicians (otolaryngologists) often have an audiologist on staff or in the same practice. An ENT is particularly valuable when hearing loss may have a medical or surgical cause — such as chronic ear infections, a perforated eardrum, sudden hearing loss, or an acoustic neuroma 2Ref 2Chandrasekhar SS, Tsai Do BS, Schwartz SR, et al. (2019).Clinical Practice Guideline: Sudden Hearing Loss (Update).Sudden sensorineural hearing loss as a medical urgency requiring evaluation within 24–72 hours; audiological testing as a key diagnostic component.

Primary care providers can perform basic hearing screening with a handheld tool and are a reasonable first call if you are unsure whether your hearing change warrants a specialist visit. They can also refer you to audiology or ENT 1Ref 1National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (2024).Who Can I Turn to for Help with My Hearing Loss?.Roles of audiologists, ENT specialists, and primary care providers in hearing evaluation; starting with a primary care provider who can refer to specialists.

Hearing aid centers and retail chains (such as Costco Hearing Aid Centers) often offer free hearing screenings. These are useful for detecting significant loss, though they are oriented toward fitting hearing aids rather than diagnosing the underlying cause.

What happens during a diagnostic hearing test?

A comprehensive audiogram typically includes several components:

• Pure-tone audiometry — you listen through headphones and signal when you hear tones at different frequencies and volumes. This maps the quietest sounds you can hear across the hearing range.
• Bone conduction testing — a small device placed behind the ear bypasses the outer and middle ear to test the inner ear separately. This distinguishes between conductive hearing loss (outer/middle ear) and sensorineural loss (inner ear/nerve).
• Speech discrimination testing — you repeat words at different volumes to measure how clearly you hear speech.
• Tympanometry — a probe in the ear canal measures eardrum movement to check for fluid, perforation, or middle ear problems.

The evaluation typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. Results are plotted on an audiogram — a graph showing your hearing thresholds — which your audiologist or ENT will review with you and explain in terms of what degree, if any, of hearing loss is present 1Ref 1National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (2024).Who Can I Turn to for Help with My Hearing Loss?.Roles of audiologists, ENT specialists, and primary care providers in hearing evaluation; starting with a primary care provider who can refer to specialists.

Do you need a referral for a hearing test?

Most audiologists accept patients without a referral. PPO insurance plans typically allow self-referral to audiology. HMO plans may require a referral from your primary care provider.

If you are unsure whether you need a test, the NIDCD offers a brief self-assessment questionnaire — if you answer 'yes' to three or more questions about difficulty hearing, a hearing evaluation is appropriate 3Ref 3National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (2022).Do You Need a Hearing Test?.Self-assessment for adults on when to seek a hearing evaluation; adapted from the validated Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA).

Approximately 15% of American adults report some difficulty hearing, and the likelihood increases sharply with age — affecting more than half of adults 75 and older 4Ref 4National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (2024).Quick Statistics About Hearing, Balance, & Dizziness.Approximately 15% of American adults 18 and older report some difficulty hearing; hearing loss prevalence rises sharply with age, affecting over half of adults 75 and older. If you have noticed changes in your hearing, a formal audiogram is the most accurate next step.

If you experienced sudden hearing loss — a noticeable change over hours or a day or two — you should be evaluated within 24 to 72 hours 2Ref 2Chandrasekhar SS, Tsai Do BS, Schwartz SR, et al. (2019).Clinical Practice Guideline: Sudden Hearing Loss (Update).Sudden sensorineural hearing loss as a medical urgency requiring evaluation within 24–72 hours; audiological testing as a key diagnostic component. This is a situation where going through your primary care provider or directly to an ENT rather than waiting for a routine audiology appointment is appropriate.

How much does a hearing test cost?

With insurance, a diagnostic audiogram is typically covered when ordered for a medical reason (such as documented hearing loss, tinnitus, or dizziness). A copay or coinsurance may apply depending on your plan. Medicare traditionally does not cover routine hearing evaluations or hearing aids, though some Medicare Advantage plans include a hearing benefit 1Ref 1National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (2024).Who Can I Turn to for Help with My Hearing Loss?.Roles of audiologists, ENT specialists, and primary care providers in hearing evaluation; starting with a primary care provider who can refer to specialists.

Without insurance, a comprehensive audiological evaluation generally runs $50–$250 at an independent audiology practice. Free screenings at hearing aid centers are widely available and a reasonable starting point to determine whether a full evaluation is warranted.

Where to find an audiologist near you

Several resources can help locate a qualified audiologist:

• Your insurance company's provider directory — search for audiology in your plan's network
• The American Academy of Audiology — offers a 'Find an Audiologist' directory at audiology.org
• Your primary care provider's office — they often have referral relationships with local audiology practices
• Hospital and health system websites with audiology departments

Gale can also help you understand your symptoms and connect you with the right specialist for a proper hearing evaluation.