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A hearing screening includes a series of tests that evaluate the patient's ability to hear loud and soft noises, and sounds at high and low decibels.
Typical costs: |
- Hearing tests can cost nothing or can be as much as $250 for people without insurance, depending upon the clinic and the practitioner performing the test. Hearing specialists known as audiologists typically charge at the higher end of the price range. Many hearing aid vendors offer free hearing screenings, but may pressure the patient to purchase hearing aids through their company.
- Most insurance companies cover routine hearing tests. However. patients should check with their carrier to see if regular copays and deductibles apply. Copays for office visits range between $5 and $75, depending upon the insurance company. The average insured individual in the U.S. has a $19 office visit copay.
Related articles: Hearing Aid, Cochlear Implant, Tinnitus Treatment, Ear Infection, Ear Wax Removal
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What should be included: |
- A hearing screening will begin with an oral evaluation. The practitioner will ask about any hearing difficulties or past infections. If the patient is a child, the doctor or audiologist will ask about any speech or learning issues.
- The hearing test[1] should include a physical examination of the ear, during which the physician will use an otoscope to look at the middle ear and the eardrum. The screening will include tympanometry, which tests for fluid or pressure in the middle ear and perforation of the eardrum. The practitioner will insert a tool into the ear canal. This tool will release a sound wave and will measure how the sound waves moves within the ear.
- Audiometry tests, also included, require that the patient listen for sounds of different decibels, pressing a button or saying something when the sound is heard. This test is given to make sure the patient is able to hear sounds that are both very high and very low.
- Speech audiometry, another test in hearing screening, involves the doctor or practitioner determining at what level a patient can hear simple words. Some tests may include a balance test and a bone conduction test. These tests are typically given if some hearing problems are suspected. The hearing test will also include a discussion of the patient's results[2] .
Additional costs: |
- If hearing loss is detected, a patient will be a good candidate for hearing aids. Hearing aids cost between $100 and $6,000. See How Much Do Hearing Aids Cost.
Discounts: |
- :
- The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association maintains a list of state funding sources[3] for hearing tests and other audiology services. The association also provides patient with a list of local and private funding sources[4] .
- Many hearing clinics offer free screenings, either all the time or during specific times of the year. Check with local clinics or offices about any free screening events or programs.
- For a quick preliminary assessment, experts say online hearing tests work well. These tests, such as those offered by the University New South Wales[5] and the Better Hearing Institute[6] , can help patients determine if they need further assessment. These tests do not serve as a substitute for regular hearing checks with a professional.
Shopping for a hearing test: |
- Patients can schedule a hearing test with most physicians' offices or with a specialty clinic. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association recommends that patient only work with an ASHA-certified professional[7] .
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: sam99 in Syracuse, NY. | Posted: December 30th, 2017 05:12AM |
| Clinic or Facility: Upstate U Hospital | Insurance: Excellus |
Sure, they did a nice job, nice office etc, I was in there under 30 minutes and the total bill was $807...Seems a bit high since this was essentially the exact same test a local hearing aid sales shop does for free...my out of pocket was $250 |
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| Posted by: linda303 in Plantation, FL. | Posted: December 5th, 2016 10:12AM |
| Clinic or Facility: University of Miami | Insurance: 317.92 |
Outrageous amount. I've had another hearing test inside a closed booth at an audiologists office including the doctors visit and it didn't cost only a co payment of $40. This amount doesn't even include the office visit of the doctor. |
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| Posted by: Judith A in Paradise, CA. | Posted: October 31st, 2016 11:10AM |
| Clinic or Facility: Clinic | Insurance: Medicare |
Medicare adjusted and paid 812.77, I paid $60.23 out of pocket, secondary didn't pay anything. I would not go back there! |
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| Posted by: Pgh Parent in Pittsburgh, PA. | Posted: September 16th, 2016 07:09AM |
| Clinic or Facility: Children\'s Hospital Pittsburgh UPMC | Insurance: Aetna |
TYMPANOMETRY-IMPEDANCE TEST ($151 billed, Aetna rate:$70.97)
SPEECH RECOGNITION ($167 billed, Aetna rate:$78.49)
PURE TONE AUDIOMETRY, AIR ($158 billed, Aetna rate:$74.26) |
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| Posted by: Dana Owen in Birmingham, AL. | Posted: November 12th, 2015 07:11AM |
| Clinic or Facility: IAC Birmingham | Insurance: BCBS |
We do a high deductible plan so we just pay the full bill until we meet it and are fine with that. Our bill was 1165.00 insurance covered none so they reduced it to $565.49. No details on bill so I called and they said it was for hearing and speech... My son was adopted and doesn't speak English so they didn't speak to him at all? I'm not paying for them to say "ya he may have a speech delay if he has speech delays in mandarin but we don't know because we don't speak mandarin..." Not an opinion I asked for. I do speak A little mandarin and he does have a speech delay but I told them that not tr other way around.. We were there 20 minutes he held up blocks when he heard something.... Not impressed. |
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| Posted by: Why insurance costs too much in Sacramento, CA. | Posted: July 24th, 2015 01:07PM |
| Clinic or Facility: | Insurance: medicare + blue |
That is the amount billed.
Not going to pay anything not covered!
Thats for a 10 minute test for my mother with significant hearing loss |
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| Posted by: Whitehall OH in Whitehall, OH. | Posted: March 2nd, 2015 01:03PM |
| Clinic or Facility: East Broad Street | Insurance: Blue Cross |
I was expecting my evaluation to be 100 percent covered for routine evaluation. They say only doctor office is 100 percent covered. Not ENT. I born with deafness so doctor office not enough. I am disappointed with this cost as I am trying my best to budget my money before layoff. Now will not keep Blue Cross if I need Cobra insurance. |
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| Posted by: Paul Pleskach in omaha, NE. | Posted: September 28th, 2014 06:09PM |
| Clinic or Facility: boystown research hospital | Insurance: bcbs |
I was awstruck finding out the charges for my 1 year olds hearing test. I myself have hearing tests every year and they are only $300. Why the extreme difference? I think this is way inflated charge. Then they say need hearing test every three months. I am there for 30the minutes. Has anyone else had experience. With this? |
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| Posted by: Jeorge in West Palm Beach, FL. | Posted: April 10th, 2014 09:04AM |
| Clinic or Facility: West Palm Beach FL | Insurance: None |
Hearing Aid Centers are in just about over 300 Sams Club's.
The test was free.
Non pressured sales environment.
Prices for hearing aids were 50% lower than all private practices and major franchises when comparing apple to apples. |
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| Posted by: Os in Madera, CA. | Posted: September 30th, 2013 08:09PM |
| Clinic or Facility: Children's Hospital Central California | Insurance: Anthem Blue Cross |
I had to test my child's hearing as recommended by his speech therapist. The total bill for a 5 minute evaluation was a wooping $769!
Audiology: $659 !!!(we were inside the booth no more than 5 minutes)
Clinic: $110 |
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| Posted by: Riley Murphy in Boston, MA. | Posted: July 14th, 2013 07:07AM |
Please note that a hearing screen is a pass or fail test. Hearing screening can be completed by many providers because it does not require advanced training. A hearing evaluation, which is really an audiologic evaluation, should be completed by an audiologist who is the only professional trained to provide a diagnostic evaluation of the degree, type and site of the hearing loss, if present. Please make sure you have your hearing evaluated by a professional with appropriate training!!! |
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| Posted by: a user in Silverdale, WA. | Posted: July 27th, 2012 09:07AM |
| Clinic or Facility: Miracle Ear, Silverdale WA | Insurance: none |
Free hearing test. They were very thorough and professional, from the video part of looking in my ears to explaining how my ears work. Definite hearing loss. The company had good discounts options. |
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| Posted by: ddt in cypress, CA. | Posted: February 15th, 2011 12:02PM |
| Clinic or Facility: Costco Cypress, CA | Insurance: none |
The test was free and the result was normal.
Their business is to sell hearing aids.
I think we pay about $50 per year for Costco membership. Not sure if membership is needed to get hearing exam. |
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External Resources: |
- www.asha.org/public/hearing/testing/assess.htm
- www.earinfo.com/how-to-read-a-hearing-aid-test/
- www.asha.org/public/coverage/p3AudFundingResources.htm
- www.asha.org/public/coverage/p4AudFundingResources.htm
- www.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/hearing.html
- www.betterhearing.org/hearing_loss/online_hearing_test/index.cfm
- www.asha.org/proserv/
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