How to Take a VA Hearing Test

The Veterans Administration is one of the nation's largest providers of hearing aides to servicemen and women who experienced hearing loss, or an injury which resulted in hearing loss, during military service. The first step for qualifying for hearing aides, and to determine if you require hearing aides, is to take a VA hearing test, which will determine the extent of damage and the necessary steps needed to correct that damage.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access
• Transportation
• Telephone

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Instructions

• 1

  Contact your primary care physician at the VA. Most patients seeking hearing tests must be referred to a VA Audiology Clinic by their primary physicians. If you are currently being treated for a service-related injury at the VA, your physician there can also refer you to the audiology clinic closest to you.

• 2

  Make an appointment at the VA Audiology Clinic closest to you. Most audiology clinics have standard operating hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• 3

  When you arrive for your hearing test, you will be overseen by a VA audiologist. First, the audiologist will examine your inner and outer ear to check for debris or visible damage. You will then be equipped with headphones and given directions for the test by the audiologist.

• 4

  Generally, the audiologist will play a series of tones through the right and left headphone receivers to test the extent of your hearing loss. The audiologist will ask you to raise your right or left hand to correspond with where you are hearing the tone. Follow all the directions the audiologist provides.

• 5

  Tell the audiologist about any additional hearing or ear-related problems you may be experiencing, including a ringing or itching in the ears or sensitivity. This will also help the audiologist determine the extent and cause of your hearing problems.

• 6

  Once the hearing test and appointment is complete, your audiologist will inform you if you require hearing aides, and if you qualify to receive them through the VA.