Yes, @keobooks; most “free” hearing tests are very rudimentary.
I am an Audiologist, and we typically bill the health insurance for a comprehensive diagnostic audiological evaluation, which not only measures the hearing levels, but determines the type of loss. Depending on the patient’s insurance policy, a referral from their primary caregiver may be required.
The blockage in the shower and relief after you apply pressure suggests to me that you have a build-up of ear wax. Therefore, I suggest checking with your primary doctor and getting a referral to an Ear, Nose and throat specialist. Ensure that your ears are clear and healthy in order for the audiology exam to be performed. When you schedule with the ENT, explain that you want the doctor to check your ears first, but that you’d also like to have the hearing evaluated the same day, once the doctor clears you.
With a name like @rockfan, is it safe to assume that you’ve been exposed to loud sound over the years? Noise damage is permanent and cumulative. Noise damage to the inner ear is highly correlated with tinnitus; but it occurs in many people as they lose their hearing. Current research suggests that tinnitus in the presence of hearing loss is similar to ‘phantom limb’ phenomena (for example, when someone loses an arm, but can still ‘feel’ their fingers) because the ear isn’t sending sounds that the auditory nervous system is expecting to receive.
I do recommend that you follow through with the audiological evaluation even if it does turn out to be occluding wax and the issue resolves after removal, because it will be good to know whether you do have some degree of hearing deficit, and to discuss your sound exposure and what your options are to protect your ears from further damage.