You can get an audiogram at an audiologist’s office, an ENT clinic, a hospital audiology department, or certain retail locations like Costco. Audiologists are the most common providers for diagnostic hearing tests, and most cities have several options within a short drive. The right choice depends on whether you need a medical diagnosis, a hearing aid fitting, or a quick baseline check.
Audiologist Offices
An audiologist is the go-to professional for a full diagnostic audiogram. These are licensed specialists with advanced degrees who focus specifically on evaluating, diagnosing, and managing hearing and balance issues. They perform detailed tests that map out exactly what you can and can’t hear across a range of frequencies, using calibrated equipment inside a soundproof booth designed to block background noise and prevent false results.
You can find a certified audiologist near you through ASHA ProFind, a directory run by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. It lists over 20,000 certified audiologists who are accepting new patients, searchable by zip code. Many audiology practices are standalone clinics, while others operate within hospital systems or university medical centers. You don’t always need a referral to book an appointment directly, though your insurance plan may require one for coverage.
ENT Doctor Offices
ENT doctors (also called otolaryngologists) are medical doctors and surgeons who treat conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. Many ENT practices have an audiologist on staff or an audiology suite built into the office, so you can get your audiogram and a medical evaluation in the same visit. This is especially useful if you suspect your hearing loss is tied to an ear infection, fluid buildup, or another medical condition that might need treatment beyond hearing aids.
For complex situations like sudden hearing loss, chronic ear disease, or candidacy for surgically implanted hearing devices, you’ll likely see both an ENT and an audiologist as part of the workup. If your primary care doctor refers you for a hearing concern, they may send you to an ENT first, who will then coordinate the audiogram.
Costco Hearing Aid Centers
Costco offers free hearing tests at its in-warehouse Hearing Aid Centers. The test is conducted by a hearing instrument specialist or audiologist, depending on the location. You’ll need to schedule an appointment ahead of time, and Costco provides a patient intake form online (in English and Spanish) that you can print and fill out beforehand to speed up check-in.
The primary goal of a Costco hearing test is to determine whether you’d benefit from hearing aids sold in the store. It’s a solid option if you’re exploring hearing aids and want to avoid an upfront testing fee, but it’s not a substitute for a full diagnostic audiogram ordered by a physician when a medical condition needs to be ruled out.
Retail Clinics and Pharmacies
Some pharmacy chains, including Walgreens, offer hearing services at select locations. These typically include a hearing test, an explanation of results, and product demonstrations for hearing devices. The scope of testing at retail locations varies. Some provide a thorough evaluation, while others offer a basic screening that checks whether your hearing falls above or below a certain threshold rather than mapping your full hearing profile across all frequencies.
A screening can tell you whether further testing is warranted, but it won’t give you the detailed frequency-by-frequency results that a diagnostic audiogram provides. If you need documentation for medical records, insurance claims, or a treatment plan, a clinical audiogram from an audiologist or ENT office is the better choice.
Why a Professional Booth Matters
A proper audiogram is done in a sound-treated booth that meets strict standards for background noise. These booths exist for a reason: even moderate ambient sound can mask your true hearing thresholds, especially at low frequencies, leading to inaccurate results. Standards require that background noise levels stay below specific limits at every frequency tested, and if noise exceeds those limits at any point, the test must be paused until conditions improve.
The earphones used in clinical testing also play a role. Insert earphones, the type placed directly in the ear canal, block more outside noise than traditional over-ear headphones, particularly at lower frequencies. This means clinics using insert earphones can sometimes achieve valid results even in rooms that aren’t perfectly soundproofed, though a proper booth remains the gold standard.
Online hearing tests and smartphone apps exist, but they have significant limitations. A meta-analysis of smartphone-based audiometry found that most apps lack proper calibration, and differences between phone models can meaningfully shift results. Calibration information was missing from the majority of studies reviewed, largely because many apps simply don’t have a calibration function built in. These tools can give you a rough sense of where your hearing stands, but they aren’t reliable enough for diagnosis or treatment decisions.
How to Prepare for Your Test
Earwax buildup is one of the most common things that can interfere with an audiogram. If your ear canals are blocked, the test may show a hearing loss that’s really just wax sitting in the way. Audiology guidelines list earwax removal as a standard step before testing, and many audiologists and ENTs can clear your ears in the same visit if needed. If you know you tend to produce a lot of wax, mention it when you schedule your appointment so the office can plan accordingly.
Beyond that, preparation is simple. Avoid loud noise exposure (concerts, power tools, loud headphone use) for at least 12 to 16 hours before your test, since temporary noise-induced threshold shifts can skew results. Bring a list of any medications you’re taking, since some drugs can affect hearing. And if you’ve had a previous audiogram, bring those results so your provider can compare.
Paying for an Audiogram
Cost depends on where you go and what insurance you have. A diagnostic audiogram ordered by a doctor is generally covered by health insurance, including Medicare Part B, which covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams when a healthcare provider orders them to determine if you need medical treatment. Medicare also allows one visit to an audiologist every 12 months without a doctor’s order, but only for non-acute hearing conditions like gradual age-related hearing loss, or for evaluations related to surgically implanted hearing devices.
If you’re paying out of pocket, diagnostic hearing tests are eligible expenses under health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), and standard flexible spending accounts (FSAs). They’re classified as diagnostic services under IRS rules, which cover amounts paid for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease. A benefits administrator may occasionally ask for a letter of medical necessity, but most of the time diagnostic hearing tests are approved without extra paperwork. Note that limited-purpose FSAs and dependent care FSAs do not cover diagnostic services.
Without insurance, expect to pay roughly $50 to $250 for a full diagnostic audiogram at a private audiology practice, depending on your location and the extent of testing. Costco’s hearing test is free, and some community health centers or university audiology training clinics offer reduced-cost testing.