The scattering of acoustic waves by compact three-dimensional axisymmetric vortices is studied using direct numerical simulation in the case where the incoming wave is aligned with the symmetry axis and the direction of propagation of the vortices. The cases of scattering by Hill’s spherical vortex and Gaussian vortex rings are examined, and results are compared with predictions obtained by matched asymptotic expansions and the Born approximation. Good agreement is obtained for long waves, with the Born approximation usually giving better predictions, especially as the difference in scale between vortex and incoming waves decreases and as the Mach number of the flow increases. An improved version of the Born approximation which takes into account higher-order effects in Mach number gives the best agreement.