*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature P: Personality Disorders.

Hearing Tests

There are several ways you can get your hearing tested.

How to get an NHS hearing test

You can get a free hearing test on the NHS. A GP may refer you to a hearing specialist (audiologist) who can do the test.

It could take a few weeks to see a specialist so it might be quicker to get tested somewhere else, like at a large pharmacy or opticians. This is often free.

Important

Always see a GP first if:

you also have other symptoms, like earache or discharge - this could be something easily treatable like an earwax build-up or ear infection
you have sudden hearing loss in one ear
you're worried about your child's hearing

Other ways to get a hearing test

Online hearing test

There are simple hearing tests online.

This can tell you if you need to have a face-to-face hearing test.

Check your hearing with the RNID's free online hearing test

Pharmacies and opticians

Lots of large pharmacies and opticians can do hearing tests.

The test is often free, but you'll normally have to pay for any treatment you might need (such as hearing aids).

Can you answer some questions about your experiences with hearing tests to help us improve our information?

Take our survey

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature P: Personality Disorders. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.