In Australia, you’ll see a few different job titles used in hearing clinics.
Audiologists
An audiologist is a university-trained hearing specialist. They typically hold a Master of Clinical Audiology or a Doctor of Audiology and are full members of Audiology Australia. Their training covers:
Anatomy and physiology of the ear
Complex diagnostic testing across all ages
Paediatric hearing, auditory processing, tinnitus, and balance-related issues
Hearing aid prescription and rehabilitation
Working alongside GPs, ENTs, speech pathologists, psychologists and teachers
At The Audiology Place, all assessments are carried out by Dr Signe Steers, Doctor of Audiology, with nearly 20 years’ experience in both paediatric and adult hearing care.
Audiometrists
Audiometrists usually complete a vocational qualification likely from TAFE. Many are skilled at performing basic tests and fitting hearing aids, especially in straightforward adult cases. Still, they generally do not have the same breadth of training in complex diagnostics, paediatrics, or research-based rehabilitation as an audiologist. They will almost certainly not have studied anything beyond a certificate level vs Audiologists who need to have completed a masters.
Free “Hearing Checks”
A lot of free tests in retail environments are:
Short screening checks rather than full diagnostic assessments
Focused on limited frequencies and basic “pass/fail” outcomes
Sometimes conducted outside a full sound-treated room
Often designed primarily to identify who might be a candidate for hearing aids
They’re not necessarily “bad” – they can be a starting point. But they’re not enough if:
You’re noticing real difficulties in day-to-day hearing
You have tinnitus, dizziness, fullness, or ear pain
Your child is struggling with listening or learning
You’re making decisions about hearing aids or medical treatment
For those situations, you need a comprehensive hearing assessment with an audiologist.
What a Comprehensive Hearing Assessment Actually Includes
A proper audiological assessment is closer to a full health check than a quick screen. At The Audiology Place, your initial consultation is usually around 90 minutes because we’re not just ticking boxes – we’re trying to understand you and your hearing in detail.
A comprehensive assessment typically includes:
Detailed case history and lifestyle discussion
We talk about your hearing concerns, communication needs, noise exposure, medications, general health, family history, work and social environments. For children, we also explore speech, language, behaviour, school performance and developmental history.Otoscopy (looking in your ears)
A thorough visual inspection of the ear canal and eardrum to check for wax, infection, perforations, or other issues that may need medical attention.Middle ear function testing (tympanometry and acoustic reflexes)
This checks how well your eardrum and middle ear are moving, helps identify fluid, Eustachian tube dysfunction, or stiffness in the system, and assesses a reflex pathway involving the brainstem.Pure tone audiometry – including extended high-frequency testing where indicated
We test how softly you can hear tones through headphones and a bone conductor, across a wide range of pitches.
Importantly, we can also test extended high frequencies (beyond the standard 8,000 Hz) when needed. These ultra-high pitches can pick up early noise damage or ototoxic changes before they show up on a standard audiogram.Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs)
OAEs measure the tiny echoes produced by the outer hair cells in your cochlea. They give an objective measure of cochlear health, particularly useful for:Babies and children
People who are difficult to test behaviourally
Early detection of subtle inner-ear changes
Cross-checking the accuracy of behavioural tests
Speech testing in quiet and in noise
Hearing beeps is one thing. Understanding speech in real life is another. We measure how well you understand words and sentences in quiet and in background noise, because that’s what matters in cafés, classrooms, and meetings.Additional tests where appropriate
For some people this may include screening tests for Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), tinnitus questionnaires, or more complex diagnostic measures, depending on what we find.Explanation, counselling, and a clear plan
We don’t just hand you a result sheet. We sit down and explain:What we found
How it affects your day-to-day life
Whether medical review is needed
What your options are – from monitoring to communication strategies, custom earplugs, tinnitus support, and yes, hearing aids when appropriate
You leave understanding what’s going on, and what we recommend next – not feeling rushed or pressured into an on-the-spot purchase.
Why Tests Like OAEs and High-Frequency Audiometry Matter
Free tests often stop at “Can you hear these beeps?” at a small number of frequencies.
But your ears and brain are more complex than that.
Extended high-frequency testing can show the early stages of noise-induced or medication-related cochlear damage. This can be crucial for:
People who work in noisy trades
Musicians
Those on certain medications
Children and young adults, where prevention is key
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) tell us whether the microscopic hair cells in your inner ear are functioning properly. OAEs can be present even when your standard audiogram still looks “normal,” and they are essential in paediatric and complex adult assessments.
Put simply: these tests help us catch problems sooner, explain symptoms more accurately, and build a more precise, personalised plan.
Independence and Hearing Aids: Why the Clinic’s Ownership Matters
Many “free hearing test” offers come from clinics owned by hearing aid manufacturers or large retail chains. That doesn’t automatically mean poor care – but it does mean their product range and recommendations may be limited to certain brands.
At The Audiology Place, we are:
Completely independent – not owned by any manufacturer
Able to work with most major hearing aid brands
Focused on matching technology to your hearing goals, not a sales quota
If hearing aids are recommended, we also use real-ear measurements (REM) during every fitting to verify how the device performs in your actual ear canal. REM is recognised internationally as a best-practice standard, but is still not consistently used in all clinics.
“Questions You Should Feel Comfortable Asking”
Here are some questions that can help you quickly tell the difference between a quick free check and genuine best-practice audiology:
What qualifications do you hold?
Are you a member of Audiology Australia?
Do you perform OAEs as part of your assessments?
Do you offer extended high-frequency testing when appropriate?
Are you independent, or owned by a hearing aid manufacturer?
Do you use real-ear measurements (REM) when fitting hearing aids?
How long is the first appointment, and what does it include?
What does your follow-up and ongoing care look like?
A confident, well-trained audiologist will be happy – even pleased – that you’re asking.
Where Free Tests Fit In – And When They’re Not Enough
A free hearing check can be a reasonable first curiosity check if you:
Have no major concerns but just “wonder how things are”
Are short on time and want a quick indication
But a free test should never be the end of the story if:
You know you are missing parts of conversations
Family members are commenting on your hearing
You have tinnitus, ear fullness, pain, or dizziness
Your child is struggling with listening, attention, or learning
You’re about to invest in hearing aids
In those situations, you should book a comprehensive hearing assessment with an audiologist, ideally one who is independent and uses advanced testing like OAEs and high-frequency audiometry.
How The Audiology Place Approaches Your Hearing
At The Audiology Place on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, our goal is simple: genuinely understand your hearing, then support you and your family for the long term.
That means:
All testing by Dr Signe Steers, Doctor of Audiology
A full, unhurried assessment in a sound-treated room
Access to OAEs, extended high-frequency testing, speech-in-noise testing, and more
Independent advice on hearing solutions across multiple brands
Evidence-based hearing aid fittings using real-ear measurements
Ongoing, relationship-based care – not just a one-off transaction
If you’ve only ever had a “quick free test,” or you’re not sure your previous assessment was truly comprehensive, it might be time to experience what full-scope audiology feels like.
Your hearing is too important to leave to a screening.
