What Age Should You Get a Hearing Test?

There's no single "right age" for a hearing test — hearing should be checked whenever there's a concern, and regularly as you get older. Here's a guide to hearing test recommendations at different life stages.

Newborns

All babies in the UK are offered the NHS Newborn Hearing Screening test within their first few weeks of life. This is the earliest and most important hearing check, detecting permanent hearing loss in around 1 in 1,000 babies.

Children

After newborn screening, children should have their hearing checked if parents, teachers, or health visitors notice any signs of hearing difficulty — delayed speech, not responding to sounds, or struggling at school. Some areas offer a school entry hearing screen at age 4–5.

Adults under 50

If you have no hearing concerns, a hearing test every 5–10 years is reasonable as a baseline. Get tested sooner if you work in a noisy environment, are a musician, or notice any changes in your hearing.

Adults 50–60

Hearing care professionals recommend testing every 3–5 years from age 50, as this is when age-related hearing loss typically begins to develop. Establishing a baseline at this stage is particularly valuable.

Adults over 60

Annual or biennial hearing tests are recommended, as the prevalence of hearing loss increases significantly after 60. Around 40% of people over 50 and 70% of people over 70 have some degree of hearing loss.

The bottom line

The most important rule is: get tested whenever you're concerned. Hearing loss is gradual, and many people wait an average of 7–10 years before seeking help. A hearing test is quick, often free, and there's no minimum or maximum age requirement.