Online Hearing Test
Free, 5 minutes, decent picture of your hearing.
When to test
- People mumble more than they used to (it\'s probably you).
- You ask "what?" often.
- Restaurants are too loud to converse.
- TV volume keeps creeping up.
- You\'re missing parts of phone conversations.
Why it matters: Untreated hearing loss is linked to faster cognitive decline. Treating it early matters more than people realize.
Free at-home tests
Mimi Hearing Test (free app)
iPhone & Android. 5-minute test, reasonable approximation of an audiogram. Gives you results to share with a doctor.
SoundCheck by Mimi (mimi.health)
Web-based version. Use headphones in a quiet room.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 hearing test
If you have AirPods Pro 2 with iOS 18+ — the iPhone Health app has a built-in hearing test that produces a real audiogram.
National Hearing Test (1-866-223-7575)
Phone-based test, sponsored by AARP. Free for AARP members; $8 for non-members. Validated by research.
Costco Hearing Center
Free in-person hearing test. No appointment needed. Honest, no high-pressure sales.
Read your results
- Normal hearing: Hears tones at 0-25 dB.
- Mild loss: 26-40 dB. Can hear most speech, miss whispers and quiet voices.
- Moderate loss: 41-55 dB. Hearing aids strongly recommended.
- Severe: 56+ dB. Likely need stronger hearing aids or a cochlear implant.
Get a formal test from an audiologist if any test comes back "moderate" or worse, or if you have ringing/tinnitus.
Hearing aid options at every price point
- $0: AirPods Pro 2 in hearing aid mode (iOS 18+) — for mild loss.
- $200-$500: OTC hearing aids — Jabra Enhance, Lexie, Sony, Audien. Available at Best Buy, CVS, Costco. No prescription.
- $1,500-$5,000/pair: Prescription hearing aids — fitted by an audiologist. Best for moderate to severe loss.
- VA: Veterans qualify for free hearing aids. Apply at va.gov.
- Medicaid / state programs: Some states cover hearing aids. Check yours.
Costco is the best deal
Costco Hearing Aid Center sells prescription hearing aids at $1,500-$2,000/pair — half what most audiologists charge. Free testing, free fitting, free follow-ups for life. Membership pays for itself with one purchase.