Hearing tests can determine the ability of a person to hear sounds of various loudness and pitch. These tests are often performed by professionals called audiologists who chart the results of the tests on a graph called audiograph. This aids in pinpointing the severity and possible causes of hearing problems.
But cynics and people who are hesitant to undergo hearing tests may question the accuracy of hearing tests like audiometry tests to speech discrimination tests. Are these tests really accurate? Continue reading
Hearing test or audiometric test evaluates a person’s ability to hear. It particularly measures the ability of a sound to reach the person’s brain. A hearing test can help specialists address hearing loss, and allow the patient to improve the quality of his life.
Anyone can have hearing loss. Even the healthiest of individuals may suffer from it. The problem with hearing loss is that it can progress gradually you may not even realize it is happening to you.
However, hearing tests are usually recommended to the following people: Continue reading
You’ve been contemplating on undergoing a hearing test for many years, but it’s only now that you have mustered the courage to do so. Now that you are booked for your very first hearing test, it is likely that you have some butterflies in your stomach. Maybe you’re unsure on what to bring, what to prepare, and what to expect from it.
If you’re worried that the procedure will take a lot of time, then fret not as a hearing test will only take an hour. It’s also painless so there’s no need to worry about getting aches from it. And it is relatively cheap. Continue reading
Hearing loss is usually perceived as a less serious health condition. After all, unlike other ailments like cancer, it can’t kill a person. This is one probable reason why a lot of people are hesitant in seeing an audiologist and undergoing a hearing test.
However, hearing loss is more serious than what people think. It can affect a person’s day-to-day living, and even put a person in serious peril. This underlines the need for people to undergo hearing tests.
Another potential reason why a lot of people put off undergoing a hearing test is their belief in myths about hearing tests and hearing loss such as: Continue reading
These days, almost everything can be done on the Internet. From shopping, applying for a job, and taking a college course, anyone can do such tasks from the comfy confines of their home. Even hearing tests can be done online. But should you trust the results of an online hearing test? Are online hearing tests valid and accurate?
Many experts agree that online hearing assessments aren’t accurate enough to replace the traditional hearing test conducted by a professional. Most online hearing tests are for informational purposes only and should never replace professional hearing evaluation. Technology today isn’t enough to accurately check hearing online and make a recommendation based on the results.
One problem with pure tone online tests is the lack of calibration. It is basically up to the user’s computer and speakers to determine the level of sounds being presented. This can affect the results of the hearing test.
There have been many cases in the past when authorities expressed concerns about the validity of online hearing tests.
In February 2012, the American Academy of Otolaryngology published a public letter questioning an insurance firm’s decision to provide coverage for hearing aids that were purchased after users went through a free hearing test via an online retailer.
The Academy said there are concerns over the validity of the online hearing test as well as the lack of peer-revived literature supporting the claims of the company offering the said hearing assessment. It also cited the company’s poor track record in complying with federal and state guidelines.
The US Food and Drug Administration acted on the Academy’s complaints, issuing a cease and desist order to the company offering the online hearing assessment. It cited that the company did not have proper approval to market the online test.
Many studies have also proven that online hearing assessment isn’t as accurate as hearing tests conducted by professionals. In 2008, a study was conducted by Suzanne Kimball of the Audiology department of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. It aimed to compare the effectiveness of pure tone online hearing tests to those performed by audiologists. The study showed that online hearing trials overestimated levels of hearing loss. This is done to encourage users to buy hearing aids, most of which were not calibrated properly.
The bottom line is that an online hearing test is not as accurate as a hearing assessment conducted by an audiologist. Hence, it is vital to make sure that you get a formal hearing test before the hearing aid prescription. For more details of our hearing assessment and hearing aids services, please contact HK Hearing & Speech Centre.
Source:
HK Hearing & Speech Centre
Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,
and Hearing Aid Prescription
https://www.hkhearingspeech.com