- Ron Trounson
- July 28, 2021
- 4:05 am
Table of Contents
Free Online Hearing Test
Our free online hearing test is a great tool to help categorise your hearing ability using state-of-art hearing screening technology.
Before you start the online hearing test, we recommend the following:
- Find a quiet space free from distraction.
- Grab your headphones, anything will work, but quality over-the-ear headphones are best.
- Your journey to better hearing begins with just one click.
Why Test Your Hearing Online?
Do you have trouble following conversations in noisy places? Do you find yourself constantly asking people to repeat themselves?
Don’t miss out on important sounds. If you suspect you’re suffering from hearing loss, give yourself the confirmation you need to pursue a solution. With our free online hearing test, all you’ve got to do is sit back, relax, and respond to a few simple sounds.
If you prefer in-person testing, book an appointment at our Auckland clinics.
Results in Mere Minutes
The Ear Health professional online hearing test takes less than five minutes on average.
Our scoring system is simple, so you can easily interpret your results and assess the quality of your hearing.
All you need to get started is a pair of headphones. Though noise-cancelling, over-the-ear headphones will perform best, you can still get a result with any set of headphones.
Adjust the volume to a level you’re comfortable with, and use our audio listening tool before you start the test.
Tweak the sound level until the voice is clear and certain.
We recommend you don’t use your computer speakers for the most accuracy.
How to Prepare
Seat yourself in a quiet, distraction-free area. Place your headphones over or in your ears. The test will be complete in minutes, so you don’t have to worry about rearranging your schedule.
This test will help you better understand your current standard of hearing. To get the most helpful result, answer the questions honestly. Reflect carefully on your answers and try not to be shy.
If your palms are starting to sweat and you’re feeling nervous – don’t be! Our free online hearing test is gentle, easy, and pleasant.
What to Expect
Taking a hearing loss test online is the most straightforward way to confirm you have hearing loss. When you begin the test, we will present you with sound clips that mimic everyday scenarios. These could be people talking in a busy restaurant or someone trying to get your attention from across the street.
We will ask you a question at the end of each audio clip. You must express what you heard in the clip to the best of your ability.
Once you’ve completed the test, we will give you a score. You can determine if you’re a candidate for an in-person hearing test based on the score.
Limitations of an Online Test
When taking a hearing aid test online, you must consider its limitations. While we trust technology for almost everything today, online tests aren’t the gold standard for something as sensitive as our hearing.
Yes, our online test is advanced. However, it is only intended as a general indication of hearing performance. If your score suggests you may have hearing loss, we recommend you schedule an in-person assessment with one of our qualified hearing care professionals.
Our friendly practitioners are committed to providing compassionate and genuine care. Learn more about our hearing services.
In-Person Testing
If an online hearing test detects a hearing loss, the next step is to have an in-person hearing assessment in one of our Auckland clinics.
Please note this is only available for adults aged 18 years and over. If you’re younger, the Ministry of Health coordinates free hearing checks for children.
The first step of in-person testing is a hearing screening to help determine if a full diagnostic test is necessary.
Full Diagnostic Hearing Test
A full diagnostic hearing test is much more thorough and takes about an hour. It includes a consultation, assessment and testing using special equipment by an audiologist.
The steps for a hearing test often include the following:
- Case history
- Otoscopic inspection
- Air Conduction Testing (Pure Tone Audiometry)
- Bone Conduction Testing (Pure Tone Audiometry)
- Speech Discrimination Test
- Testing (Speech Audiometry)
- Tympanometry
During parts of the testing, you will sit in a specially designed enclosure called an audiometric booth. The audiometric booth will stop noise pollution from interfering with the hearing test.
The test is not free of charge, so you complete the online and in-person hearing assessments first to ensure you are not paying for something you might not need.
At the end of the diagnostic hearing test, you will have an audiogram (pictured below), and your audiologist will refer to it to explain your hearing loss type and severity.
Hearing Tests Are Available in Auckland and Christchurch
Ear Health clinics in Auckland where you can get a full diagnostic hearing test include:
