Test Your Hearing
To get an idea of how well you hear, use this free online hearing test prepared by the doctors at the NY Hearing Center and then calculate your score.
To calculate your score, give yourself:
- 3 points for every “Almost always” answer,
- 2 points for every “Half the time” answer,
- 1 point for every “Occasionally” answer,
- and 0 for every “Never.”
Please note: If hearing loss runs in your family, add an additional 3 points to your overall score.
I have a problem hearing over the telephone.
- Almost always +3
- Half the time +2
- Occasionally +1
- Never +0
I have trouble following the conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time.
- Almost always +3
- Half the time +2
- Occasionally +1
- Never +0
People complain that I turn the TV volume too high.
- Almost always +3
- Half the time +2
- Occasionally +1
- Never +0
I have to strain to understand conversations.
- Almost always +3
- Half the time +2
- Occasionally +1
- Never +0
I miss hearing some common sounds like the phone or doorbell ring.
- Almost always +3
- Half the time +2
- Occasionally +1
- Never +0
I have trouble hearing conversations in a noisy background, such as at a party.
- Almost always +3
- Half the time +2
- Occasionally +1
- Never +0
I get confused about where sounds come from.
- Almost always +3
- Half the time +2
- Occasionally +1
- Never +0
I misunderstand some words in a sentence and need to ask people to repeat themselves.
- Almost always +3
- Half the time +2
- Occasionally +1
- Never +0
I especially have trouble understanding the speech of women and children.
- Almost always +3
- Half the time +2
- Occasionally +1
- Never +0
I have worked in noisy environments (such as assembly lines, construction sites, or near jet engines).
- Almost always +3
- Half the time +2
- Occasionally +1
- Never +0
Many people I talk to seem to mumble, or don’t speak clearly.
- Almost always +3
- Half the time +2
- Occasionally +1
- Never +0
People get annoyed because I misunderstand what they say.
- Almost always +3
- Half the time +2
- Occasionally +1
- Never +0
I misunderstand what others are saying and make inappropriate responses.
- Almost always +3
- Half the time +2
- Occasionally +1
- Never +0
I avoid social activities because I cannot hear well and fear I’ll make improper replies.
- Almost always +3
- Half the time +2
- Occasionally +1
- Never +0
Ask a family member or friend to answer this question: Do you think this person has a hearing loss?
- Almost always +3
- Half the time +2
- Occasionally +1
- Never +0
Add it up. Now, what’s your total for this free online hearing test?
The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery recommends the following:
- 0-5 points—Your hearing is fine. No action is required.
- 6-9 points—Suggest you see an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.
- 10+ points—Strongly recommend you see an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist.
We hope you found this free online hearing test useful. Please feel free to share it with your family and friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
To score your online hearing test, assign points based on your answers: 3 points for 'Almost always,' 2 points for 'Half the time,' 1 point for 'Occasionally,' and 0 for 'Never.' If you have a family history of hearing loss, add an additional 3 points to your total score before interpreting your results.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology recommends interpreting your total score as follows: 0-5 points means your hearing is fine and no action is needed; 6-9 points suggest you should see an ENT specialist; and 10 or more points strongly recommend seeing an ENT specialist for a professional evaluation.
Adding 3 extra points accounts for genetic predisposition to hearing loss, which increases your risk even if symptoms are mild. This adjustment helps provide a more accurate recommendation regarding whether you should consult an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
This hearing test evaluates challenges such as difficulty hearing on the phone, trouble following conversations with multiple speakers, missing common sounds like doorbells, struggling in noisy environments, confusing sound direction, and misunderstanding speech including that of women and children.
This free online hearing test provides a preliminary assessment of your hearing abilities by asking targeted questions. It helps identify if you might have hearing issues and whether it's advisable to see an ENT specialist for a comprehensive evaluation.
Yes, one question asks a family member or friend if they think the person taking the test has hearing loss. Including input from others can help provide a more accurate picture of your hearing and any difficulties you may not fully recognize yourself.
If your score is between 6 and 9, the test suggests you visit an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist to explore potential hearing issues further. If your score is 10 or higher, it strongly recommends seeing an ENT specialist for a detailed hearing evaluation and possible treatment options.