What should you know about self hearing test?

Phone and website checks depend on headphones, calibration, background noise and your understanding of the instructions. They may suggest that one ear hears differently from the other, but they cannot fully assess the ear canal, eardrum, middle ear or how speech is understood. A blocked ear from [Earwax Buildup](/conditions/earwax-buildup/) can affect a result, while fluctuating hearing with dizziness or pressure needs clinical context.

Choose a quiet room, use the same headphones for repeat checks, keep the volume comfortable and follow the instructions without guessing. Record the date, side affected and situations that cause difficulty, such as conversation or background noise. Do not use loud test tones for long periods. Arrange a formal [Hearing Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/hearing-test/) if results are abnormal, uncertain or inconsistent with how you hear day to day.

Seek prompt assessment for sudden hearing loss, one-sided hearing change, new severe dizziness, ear pain, discharge or ringing that follows an injury. Recurrent spinning episodes with hearing symptoms can occur in conditions such as [Meniere's Disease](/conditions/menieres-disease/), but only an examination can sort out the cause. Do not delay care while repeating an online test.

Could wax or another ear problem affect my hearing? Do I need testing in both ears? Which type of assessment fits my symptoms? What changes should prompt urgent review?