There is no single official rule in the UK, since universal hearing screening for adults is not currently recommended by the UK National Screening Committee. As a general guide, most audiologists suggest a baseline test in your twenties, a check every three to five years through your thirties, forties and fifties, and an annual test from age 60 onwards, or sooner at any age if you notice changes.

Unlike eyesight, which most people have checked every couple of years without thinking twice, hearing tends to be overlooked until it becomes a problem. Because hearing loss usually develops gradually, many people do not realise how much has changed until someone else points it out. Here is a practical guide to how often you should be getting checked, based on age and personal risk factors.

Book a hearing check with Waxy Clear if it has been a while since your last one, or you have never had one at all.

Why there is no single fixed rule

As of 2026, adult hearing loss screening in the UK is not part of any national programme. Detection largely relies on people noticing changes themselves, mentioning it to a GP, or seeking a private hearing test. This is different from countries or health systems that run age-based screening, and it means the recommendations you will see from different audiologists and hearing care providers vary somewhat, generally somewhere between every three and every ten years for healthy adults, depending on age and risk.

Because there is no fixed schedule handed down nationally, the more useful approach is to think in terms of age bands and personal risk factors, and adjust based on how often you are noticing any change.

A general guide by age

Under 50, no known hearing concerns Most audiologists recommend a hearing test every three to five years. This age group often assumes hearing loss is something that happens later in life, but long-term noise exposure, whether from work, headphones or loud environments, can affect hearing well before symptoms become obvious.

50 to 60 Guidance in this range tends to suggest slightly more frequent checks, generally every one to three years. This is the period when early age-related hearing changes often begin, even if they are not yet noticeable day to day.

Over 60 Most guidance converges here: an annual hearing test is generally recommended once you reach 60, since age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, becomes considerably more common from this point onward. Regular annual checks make it easier to catch and manage changes early, rather than adjusting to gradual hearing loss without realising it.

Reasons to test more often, regardless of age

Some people should be tested more frequently than the general guide above suggests, including:

• Anyone with regular exposure to loud noise, whether through work, headphones, or hobbies such as music or motorsport
• Anyone with a family history of hearing loss
• Anyone experiencing tinnitus, ringing or buzzing in the ears
• Anyone taking medication known to affect hearing
• Anyone who has already been told they have some degree of hearing loss, who should follow their audiologist’s specific recommendation rather than the general guide

If any of these apply to you, it is worth having a conversation with an audiologist about a testing schedule tailored to your circumstances rather than relying on age alone.

Signs it is time for a test, whatever your age

Hearing changes gradually enough that it is easy to adapt without noticing. Common signs worth acting on include:

• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
• Turning the television or radio up louder than others in the room
• Struggling to follow conversations in noisy places such as restaurants or busy gatherings
• Difficulty hearing on the phone
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears

If any of this sounds familiar, it is worth booking a test regardless of when your last one was, or whether you are due one based on age alone.

What to expect during a hearing test

A standard hearing test usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes. You will typically be asked to listen to a range of tones at different frequencies and volumes, and respond when you hear them, producing a result called an audiogram. The audiologist will then talk you through the results and explain whether any further steps, such as a wax check, referral, or hearing aid discussion, would be worthwhile.

Could it just be wax

Before assuming a change in hearing means age-related hearing loss, it is worth ruling out a much simpler and fully reversible cause: earwax buildup. Blocked ears can cause muffled hearing, a feeling of fullness, and difficulty following conversations, symptoms that closely mirror the early signs of hearing loss. A wax check is quick, straightforward, and often resolves the issue on its own.

Get in touch with Waxy Clear to book a hearing check or wax removal appointment.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an official NHS guideline for how often adults should have a hearing test? No. Universal adult hearing screening is not currently part of any national UK programme, so there is no single fixed interval. Guidance from audiologists generally ranges from every three to ten years depending on age and risk factors.

How often should I get tested if I am under 50 with no hearing concerns? Most audiologists recommend a check every three to five years for this age group, sooner if you notice any change or have risk factors such as regular loud noise exposure.

Do I need an annual hearing test once I turn 60? This is the most consistent recommendation across audiologists, since age-related hearing loss becomes considerably more common from 60 onwards. Annual checks make it easier to catch changes early.

What if I am regularly exposed to loud noise through work or headphones? Regular noise exposure is a reason to test more frequently than the general age-based guide suggests, regardless of your age. Speak to an audiologist about a schedule that fits your circumstances.

Could my hearing difficulty just be earwax rather than hearing loss? It is possible. Earwax buildup causes symptoms very similar to early hearing loss but is fully reversible with a simple wax check and removal, which is worth ruling out before assuming anything more serious.