What should you know about hard of hearing test?

An audiologist or clinician may ask about when the change began, one-sided symptoms, noise exposure, medicines, ear infections and dizziness. They may look in the ear for blockage or inflammation, then use headphones or inserts to present tones at different loudness levels. You signal when you hear a sound, even when it is faint. Speech testing may explore how clearly you understand words. The pattern helps separate conductive hearing loss, involving the ear canal or middle ear, from inner-ear or nerve-related loss. Earwax buildup can reduce hearing, while Meniere’s disease may combine hearing change with episodes of vertigo and ear noise.

Book an assessment if hearing loss affects conversations, work, safety or television listening. Write down whether it is sudden or gradual and whether it affects one or both ears. Bring a list of medicines and mention loud-noise exposure, pain, discharge, ringing or dizziness. Avoid inserting cotton buds or objects into the ear. If wax is suspected, have the ear examined rather than trying to remove a deep blockage yourself. Ask how results will be explained and whether you need repeat testing or referral.

Seek urgent medical advice for sudden hearing loss, especially in one ear, or hearing loss with severe dizziness, facial weakness, severe headache, head injury, ear discharge or intense pain. Sudden symptoms should not be assumed to be wax. Prompt assessment can identify problems that need time-sensitive treatment.

Which part of the ear may be causing my hearing change? Do I need formal audiometry or an ear examination first? Could wax, noise exposure or dizziness change the next step?