Don’t wait for hearing
to become difficult.
Hearing can change gradually, suddenly or at particular stages of life. A hearing check is worth considering when you notice persistent listening difficulties, have concerns about a child’s hearing, experience significant noise exposure or develop new ear-related symptoms.
When Should Hearing Be Checked?
Hearing Can Be Checked at Any Age
There is no single age at which hearing should first be checked. Newborn hearing programmes, childhood concerns, workplace noise exposure, changes in adult hearing and age-related hearing difficulties can all create reasons for assessment. The timing should reflect the person’s symptoms, circumstances and level of risk.
When You Notice Changes
Difficulty following speech, needing more volume, frequently asking for repetition or noticing a difference between the ears are good reasons to arrange a check.
At Key Life Stages
See what happens during a professional hearing assessment, the tests that may be used and how the results are explained.
When Risk Is Higher
People exposed to significant noise, certain medicines or other hearing-related risk factors may need monitoring based on professional advice.
Reasons to Check Your Hearing
A hearing check can be useful before difficulties become disruptive.
You do not need to wait until hearing loss is obvious. A professional assessment can establish a baseline, investigate a concern or help explain why certain listening situations have become harder. For children, concerns raised by parents, teachers or healthcare professionals are also valid reasons to seek assessment.
Some hearing changes need
quicker attention
From Concern to Assessment
Knowing when to act can make the next step clearer.
Notice a Change
Pay attention to persistent changes such as unclear speech, increased volume needs, tinnitus, difficulty in noise or concerns raised by family members, teachers or colleagues.
Consider the Pattern
Consider whether the change is gradual or sudden, affects one or both ears, follows noise exposure or illness, or occurs alongside other ear-related symptoms.
Arrange a Hearing Check
An audiologist can select appropriate tests to understand hearing and explain whether monitoring, support or further medical assessment is appropriate.
Follow the Advice
Follow-up depends on the findings. It may involve reassurance, periodic monitoring, hearing support, hearing protection or referral to an appropriate medical professional.
Notice
→
Consider
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Check
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Understand
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Follow Up
When a Hearing Check Makes Sense
Babies & Children
Newborn hearing screening supports early identification. Beyond infancy, assessment is appropriate when there are concerns about hearing, speech and language development, recurrent ear problems, listening or classroom performance.
Adults
Consider assessment when conversations become harder, television or phone volume increases, speech is less clear in noise, tinnitus develops or family members notice a change.
Noise & Other Risk Factors
People with significant occupational or recreational noise exposure, or other recognised hearing risks, may benefit from appropriate hearing surveillance or professional advice.
Sudden Changes
Sudden hearing loss or a rapid deterioration in hearing requires prompt medical assessment. An online screening should not be used as a substitute for urgent evaluation.
Concerned about your child’s hearing?
If something about your child’s listening, speech or response to sound concerns you, an age-appropriate hearing assessment can help provide clarity.