Hearing Tests in Bundaberg
Comprehensive hearing assessments at AIM Hearing to help you understand not only how much you hear, but how clearly you hear in everyday life.
At AIM Hearing Bundaberg, we provide evidence-based hearing assessments that may include testing in quiet, speech testing, middle ear assessment, and speech-in-noise testing where clinically appropriate.
What may be included in your hearing test
A comprehensive hearing assessment may include a combination of tests depending on your symptoms, hearing history, and clinical findings.
- Air and bone conduction audiometry
- Speech testing in quiet
- Speech-in-noise testing
- Tympanometry and middle ear testing
- Acoustic reflex testing where indicated
- Audible Contrast Threshold (ACT) testing where appropriate
- Tinnitus assessment where relevant
What happens during a comprehensive hearing assessment?
Your hearing assessment may include a combination of tests depending on your symptoms, hearing history, and the clinical findings on the day. The aim is not only to measure hearing thresholds, but to understand how your ears and hearing system are functioning overall.
Video otoscopy
Video otoscopy allows us to examine the ear canal and eardrum under magnification. This helps identify obvious issues such as wax build-up, inflammation, infection, or other visible abnormalities that may affect hearing or require medical follow-up.
Tympanometry
Tympanometry is used to assess how the eardrum and middle ear system are functioning. It can help identify issues such as middle ear fluid, Eustachian tube dysfunction, perforations, or other middle ear problems that may influence hearing test results.
Air Conduction Testing
Air conduction testing measures the quietest sounds you can hear across different pitches using headphones or insert earphones. These results form the basis of your audiogram and help identify the degree and pattern of hearing loss.
Bone Conduction Testing
Bone conduction testing helps determine whether hearing loss is coming from the outer or middle ear, or from the inner ear and hearing nerve. This is an important part of identifying the type of hearing loss and guiding the most appropriate next step.
Speech testing in quiet
Speech testing in quiet helps assess how clearly you hear and understand spoken words at comfortable listening levels. This can provide useful information about speech clarity and hearing performance beyond pure tone testing alone.
Speech-in-noise Testing (QuickSIN) and Audible Contrast Testing (ACT)
Speech-in-noise testing and Audible Contrast Threshold (ACT) testing can help us understand how well you hear in more realistic listening situations. These tests are especially useful when people feel they can hear sounds but struggle to follow speech clearly in background noise.
What happens after your hearing test?
Once your assessment is complete, we explain your results clearly and discuss the next step. Depending on your hearing, this may include monitoring, communication strategies, medical referral, tinnitus guidance, or hearing aid recommendations where appropriate.
Our goal is to give you clear answers, practical advice, and a personalised plan based on your hearing needs, lifestyle, and communication goals.
What to expect at your hearing test
If you’ve never had your hearing checked before, there’s nothing to be nervous about — our hearing tests in Bundaberg are relaxed, painless and thorough. Here’s how it works:
- A chat about your hearing. We start by talking through what you’ve noticed, your health and any concerns — from struggling in noisy rooms to ringing in the ears.
- A look in your ears. We examine your ear canals and eardrums to check for anything simple, like wax, that could be affecting your hearing.
- The hearing assessment. Wearing headphones in a quiet room, you’ll respond to a range of tones and words. This maps exactly what you can and can’t hear across different pitches.
- Your results, explained. We go through your results with you on the spot, in plain English — no jargon.
- Clear next steps. If anything needs attention, we’ll talk through your options honestly. If your hearing is fine, we’ll simply tell you that too.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a hearing test take?
Allow around 45–60 minutes for a full hearing assessment and a discussion of your results.
Do I need a referral?
No — you don’t need a referral to book a standard hearing test with us. (Some funded programs may have their own requirements; we’ll guide you if that applies.)
Will the test be uncomfortable?
Not at all. A hearing test is completely painless — you simply listen and respond to sounds and words.
What should I bring?
Bring any current hearing aids, a list of your medications, and your Medicare, pension or DVA card if you have one. If you were referred, bring the referral.
How much does a hearing test cost?
A full diagnostic hearing test for a private client is $135. That covers video otoscopy, tympanometry including impedance testing where indicated, air and bone conduction testing, word recognition testing, speech in noise testing and Audible Contrast Threshold (ACT) testing, along with a detailed report and recommendations for your GP.
It is a long appointment and there is a lot in it. We have set the fee against the time and the testing involved, and we would not feel right charging more than that.
Workplace audiometric testing, which includes pre-employment baseline testing, is $100 per worker. Pre-employment and ongoing workplace testing both fall under the same requirement, Section 58 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld).
Ear wax removal by microsuction is billed in 15 minute blocks: $40 for 15 minutes or $80 for 30 minutes for private and Hearing Services Program clients, and $20 or $40 for DVA clients. If we look and there is no wax to remove, there is no charge. All prices include GST. If you are eligible under the Hearing Services Program or DVA, some services may be fully covered and we will let you know. If you are unsure which test you need, call us on 07 4153 1317.