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Advice · Hearing tests

What to expect at your first hearing test

A lot of people put off a hearing test because they are not sure what it involves. Here is exactly what happens, step by step.

By Asa Richards, Hearing Aid Dispenser (HAD, MSHAA)·Published 1 September 2026·Updated 24 September 2026

A hearing test at The Clevedon Hearing Clinic takes 60 to 90 minutes, is free, and involves nothing uncomfortable. You talk through your hearing, we look inside your ears, you listen for tones through headphones, and we explain the results before you leave. There is no obligation to buy anything.

Do I need to prepare anything before a hearing test?

Very little. Bring any hearing aids you already wear, along with any paperwork, and a list of your medications if you have one. It helps to mention past ear surgery, ear infections or years of working in noise, but there are no forms to fill in beforehand.

You are welcome to bring a partner or family member. They often notice things you don’t, such as the television volume creeping up, and a familiar voice can be useful later in the appointment.

What happens during the appointment?

There are three parts: a conversation, an ear examination and the hearing test itself.

We start by asking about your hearing in everyday life. Where do you struggle? Restaurants, the phone, grandchildren’s voices? This matters as much as the test, because two people with the same results can have very different needs.

Next, we look inside your ears with a video otoscope. It is a small camera that shows your ear canal and eardrum on a screen, so you can see what we see. If wax is in the way, we’ll tell you, because it can affect the results.

Then comes the test. You wear headphones in a quiet room and respond whenever you hear a tone, from low to high pitch, in each ear separately. Some tones are very quiet on purpose. Missing them is part of how the test works, so there is no need to strain.

How are the results explained?

Straight away, in plain English. Your results are plotted on an audiogram, a chart showing the quietest sounds you can hear at each pitch. We go through it with you line by line.

If your hearing is within the normal range, we’ll tell you. If there is some hearing loss, we explain what kind it is, how it is likely to affect you, and what the realistic options are. For some people that means keeping an eye on it. For others, hearing aids would help with everyday life. Either way, you can take as long as you like to think.

Will I be asked to buy hearing aids?

No. The test is free and there is no obligation. We’re not tied to one manufacturer, so what we recommend is only ever about you. If hearing aids would help, we explain why, what the options cost and what happens next. There’s no pressure and no hard sell.

What if I feel embarrassed about my hearing?

That feeling is common, and you don’t need it here. Hearing changes gradually for most people, and many wait a long time before booking a test. Nobody will judge how long you’ve left it. You’re known by name here, not by a reference number.

This article is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your ears or hearing, speak to a qualified clinician or your GP.

Related reading: Ear wax build-up: when to get it checked · Bluetooth hearing aids explained

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