Hearing care · Online hearing test
Free online hearing test.
A quick, private check — in a few minutes, at home.
This free online hearing test is a simple way to get a first sense of how well you are hearing. It takes just a few minutes, runs in your browser, and is completely private. It is not a substitute for a full hearing assessment — but it is a helpful place to start.
- Use headphones or earphones for accurate results
- Find a quiet room with as little background noise as possible
- Set your volume to a comfortable, normal level before you begin
How the online hearing test works
Our free online hearing test plays a series of tones and speech-based sounds through your headphones and asks you to respond to what you can hear. In a few minutes it builds a simple picture of how well you are hearing across the range of pitches that carry everyday speech.
- Pop on your headphones or earphones in a quiet room
- Set your device to a normal, comfortable volume
- Respond to each sound as you hear it
- See your result straight away — nothing to download
How accurate is an online hearing test?
An online hearing test is a useful screening tool, not a clinical diagnosis. Its accuracy depends on your headphones, your device volume and how quiet your surroundings are, so treat the result as a helpful indication rather than the final word.
Only a full hearing assessment with an audiologist — carried out with calibrated equipment in a controlled setting — can measure your hearing precisely and explain what is behind any change. Sometimes that change is simply earwax; sometimes it is worth a closer look. Think of the online test as a quick prompt: a reason to book, or reassurance to keep an eye on things.
A hearing test checks your hearing. If instead you'd like to understand what hearing loss actually sounds like — for yourself, or for someone you love — try our hearing loss simulator.
Signs it is worth getting your hearing checked
An online hearing test is a good first step, but these are the everyday signs that make a full assessment worthwhile:
- Conversations are harder to follow, especially in groups or noisy places
- You turn the television up more than others would like
- You often ask people to repeat themselves
- You can hear people talking, but cannot always make out the words
- You notice ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus)
- You feel drained after a day of listening and socialising
If any of these sound familiar — or if you are 55 or over and simply have not had your hearing checked in a while — a hearing assessment is the clearest way to understand what is going on.
Free hearing tests across Greater Manchester & Lancashire
STOTTS. offers complimentary hearing screenings and full diagnostic hearing assessments at every practice across Greater Manchester and Lancashire — in Unsworth, Swinton, Urmston, Chorley, Burnley and Padiham. Wherever you are, an in-person hearing test near you is never far away, carried out by an experienced audiologist who takes the time to explain everything clearly.
Find your nearest practice, or book a free hearing assessment online.
Online hearing test — your questions answered.
Is the online hearing test free?
Yes, completely. The online hearing screening is free to use and private, with no obligation to book anything afterwards. Our in-practice hearing checks and full diagnostic hearing assessments are complimentary too.
How accurate is an online hearing test?
It is a helpful screening tool rather than a diagnosis. The result depends on your headphones, your device volume and how quiet your surroundings are, so treat it as a first indication. Only a full hearing assessment with an audiologist, using calibrated equipment in a controlled setting, can measure your hearing precisely.
How long does the online hearing test take?
Only a few minutes. You respond to a series of sounds through your headphones and see your result straight away — there is nothing to download.
Do I need headphones for the online hearing test?
Yes. Headphones or earphones give a far more reliable result than your device’s built-in speakers. Take the test in a quiet room, with your volume at a normal, comfortable level.
Can an online hearing test detect hearing loss?
It can flag when your hearing may have changed and prompt you to get it checked properly, but it cannot diagnose hearing loss or its cause. Sometimes a change is simply earwax; sometimes it needs a full assessment. Booking a hearing assessment is the only way to know for certain.
What should I do after the online hearing test?
If your result suggests a change, or if you have noticed difficulties in everyday life, book a free hearing assessment with a STOTTS. audiologist. If the result looks fine but something still feels off, book anyway — it is complimentary and there is never any pressure.