You can get your hearing checked at an audiologist’s office, an ear-nose-throat (ENT) doctor’s clinic, a retail hearing center like Costco, or even through a free workplace screening. The right choice depends on whether you need a quick screening or a full diagnostic evaluation, and whether you’re paying out of pocket or using insurance.
Audiologists
An audiologist is the most comprehensive option for a hearing evaluation. These professionals hold a doctoral degree (Au.D.) and are licensed in all 50 states to diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss and balance disorders across all age groups. They can identify conditions that go beyond standard hearing loss, including auditory processing disorder (sometimes called “hidden hearing loss”), tinnitus, and sensitivity to loud sounds.
A full diagnostic evaluation at an audiologist’s office typically includes several components: pure-tone testing (where you listen for beeps at different pitches and volumes through headphones), speech recognition testing (where you repeat words back), and sometimes a pressure test of the middle ear to check for fluid or eardrum problems. The whole visit usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. If hearing aids are needed, audiologists can also fit, program, and adjust them.
You can find audiologists in private practices, hospital systems, and university speech-and-hearing clinics. University clinics often charge lower fees because graduate students perform evaluations under faculty supervision.
ENT Doctors
If your hearing loss came on suddenly, affects only one ear, or is accompanied by dizziness, vertigo, ear pain, drainage, or frequent ear infections, you should see an ENT (otolaryngologist) rather than going straight to a screening. These are physicians who can diagnose and treat the medical conditions behind hearing problems, not just the hearing loss itself. Your primary care doctor can refer you, or in many cases you can book directly. An ENT office typically has an audiologist on staff who handles the hearing test portion of your visit.
Retail Hearing Centers
Big-box stores offer one of the most accessible (and often free) ways to get your hearing checked. Costco Hearing Aid Centers provide free hearing tests to members 18 and older. You schedule an appointment by contacting your nearest location and filling out an intake form ahead of time. Sam’s Club and Walmart also operate hearing centers in many locations.
The staff at these centers are typically hearing instrument specialists rather than audiologists. They’re licensed to evaluate common types of hearing loss in adults and fit hearing aids, but they don’t diagnose hearing disorders, tinnitus, or auditory processing issues. If your results suggest something beyond straightforward age-related or noise-related hearing loss, they’ll refer you to an audiologist or ENT.
Retail centers are a good starting point if you suspect mild to moderate hearing loss and want a no-cost screening before committing to a full clinical evaluation.
Online Hearing Screenings
Several websites and apps offer free hearing screenings you can take at home with headphones. These are not replacements for an in-person evaluation, but validated online tests perform reasonably well as a first filter. One peer-reviewed study found that a self-administered online screening detected mild hearing loss with 83% sensitivity and 94% specificity, meaning it catches most cases and rarely flags people who hear normally. The main limitation is environment: background noise in your home, inconsistent headphone quality, and the lack of bone-conduction testing (which helps pinpoint where in the ear the problem originates) all reduce accuracy.
An online test is worth trying if you’re unsure whether your hearing has actually changed or you want some data before booking an appointment. If the result suggests any degree of loss, follow up with an in-person evaluation.
Workplace Hearing Programs
If you work in a loud environment, your employer may be required to test your hearing for free. Federal OSHA regulations mandate a hearing conservation program for any worker exposed to noise levels at or above 85 decibels averaged over an eight-hour shift. That’s roughly the volume of heavy city traffic or a busy restaurant kitchen. Under these rules, your employer must provide a baseline hearing test within six months of your first high-noise exposure and then retest you annually at no cost.
These annual tests are compared against your baseline. If your hearing shifts by an average of 10 decibels or more at key frequencies, your employer must notify you in writing within 21 days. Industries where this commonly applies include construction, manufacturing, mining, and aviation ground operations. If you work in one of these fields and haven’t been offered testing, you can ask your employer or safety officer about the hearing conservation program.
What It Costs
The national average for a comprehensive audiometry evaluation is about $151 out of pocket, with prices ranging from roughly $116 to $279 depending on location and provider. Many audiologists bundle the cost of the hearing test into the price of hearing aids if you end up purchasing them.
Medicare Part B covers diagnostic hearing exams if a doctor orders one to determine whether you need medical treatment. After the annual deductible, you pay 20% of the approved amount. Medicare also lets you visit an audiologist once every 12 months without a doctor’s order for non-acute hearing conditions or for evaluating whether you’re a candidate for a surgically implanted hearing device. However, Medicare does not cover routine hearing screenings or exams specifically for fitting hearing aids.
Most private insurance plans cover diagnostic hearing evaluations when ordered by a physician. Coverage for routine screenings varies widely by plan, so check your benefits before booking. If cost is a concern, free options like retail centers, workplace programs, or community health fairs can get you started.
Do You Need a Test to Buy Hearing Aids?
Not necessarily. Since 2022, the FDA has allowed over-the-counter hearing aids for adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. You can buy them in stores or online without a medical exam, prescription, or audiologist fitting. That said, getting a proper evaluation first is still valuable: it confirms the type and degree of your loss, rules out treatable medical causes, and helps you choose the right device. OTC aids aren’t designed for severe hearing loss, single-sided loss, or loss caused by conditions that need medical attention.