NHS audiology arrangements vary by area in England, and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have separate systems; confirm referral routes with your GP surgery.
The NHS route: GP referral first, in most areas
For a free NHS hearing test, the usual route starts with your GP: a referral leads to an assessment by a qualified audiologist, at a hospital or clinic, and you may also be referred to an ear, nose and throat doctor for further investigation. In some areas of England you can refer yourself instead, so checking with your GP surgery is worthwhile, and in some areas you can choose a private company for NHS audiology care under the Any Qualified Provider scheme, including high street chains such as Specsavers. Once referred, the audiologist carries out the assessment and explains the results and next steps; if hearing aids are needed, NHS-funded aids are free, with fitting, aftercare, repairs and replacement batteries included in the service. Tell your GP if you are housebound: home visits are possible, and the referral route is how they are arranged.
Home hearing tests: what happens in your own living room
Specsavers' home hearing service is designed for people who cannot get to a store unaccompanied. A mobile audiologist visits, gives you their name before the visit, and chooses the best area in your home for the test; if you have mobility issues or are bedbound, the test can be done wherever you are most comfortable, so long as it is nice and quiet. The audiologist examines the ear canals and eardrums with a tiny camera, then you wear headphones, listen to sounds at different pitches and press a button every time you hear a sound, before discussing the results and any hearing aid options. Where the home service is available in your area, the hearing test itself is free of charge. Private hearing aids from Specsavers' bestselling Advance range start at £500, with a four-year warranty and a 100-day money-back guarantee from fitting. In some areas an NHS-funded home hearing service is also available, including new hearing aids; eligibility and availability can be checked on 0800 089 0887, while general availability of free home tests can be checked on 0800 731 8367.
Who qualifies for a home test, and what if you do not
Eligibility for a free home hearing test centres on being unable to leave home unaccompanied: you might have a condition that stops you leaving home without another person due to poor health, a diagnosed mental health condition that prevents leaving home unassisted, or you may be housebound or bedbound due to a physical disability. Where NHS-funded home visits are available, your GP may need to confirm you are registered as housebound, and a formal GP referral may be required. Coverage is still rolling out across the UK, so a postcode that is not served today may be served later; if you are not eligible or your area is not covered, your local store may still be able to support a hearing test and advice at home, so it is worth asking directly. For a quick first check before any appointment, the RNID free online hearing test takes about three minutes, though it does not replace a full audiology assessment.
Clinic, home visit or private: a quick comparison
A clinic appointment suits anyone who can travel and wants the widest choice of provider, including NHS and Any Qualified Provider options, with a GP referral in most areas. A home visit suits anyone who cannot leave home unaccompanied or is housebound, with the test adapted to the quietest comfortable room and the same headphone-and-button procedure as in store. A private test suits anyone who prefers to book directly without a GP referral, at a price set by the provider - Specsavers' private range starts at £500. Whichever route you take, bring a family member or friend if it helps to have a familiar voice present, and ask the audiologist to explain the results, the hearing aid options and the aftercare before you leave.
