Are Online Hearing Tests Accurate
Posted by CENTURY HEARING
Are Online Hearing Tests Accurate You can find hearing tests on your smart phone and computer but Are Online Hearing Tests Accurate?
There are a couple issues with online hearing tests
1. "Audiometers are calibrated to meet federal guidelines", noted Mark Pyle, MD, academic vice chairman of otolaryngology and residency program director at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. This ensures test accuracy nationwide. With an online test, "there is no calibration, there is no soundproof room, there is no masking, there is no control," Dr. Pyle said. "So we really don't know what degree of hearing loss they have. Some people may receive devices that are too powerful. They may receive devices that aren't appropriate."
Results for a consumer who takes the test with background noise could show hearing loss where there is none, causing the person to buy a hearing aid that isn't needed.
In addition, headphone quality is not standardized, Nor are Computer Speakers etc. A person with low-quality or malfunctioning headphones could get test results indicating hearing loss that doesn't exist.
"There's a reason that we have an audio booth that costs anywhere from $30,000 to $40,000 to do hearing tests, and that's to maintain the accuracy of the hearing tests," said Todd Hillman, MD, an otolaryngologist at Pittsburgh Ear Associates. "There is not a viable way to do an online hearing test that is accurate or consistent at this point in time."
2. Online hearing screens cannot tell you the cause of hearing loss - the cause may be something as minor as too much earwax or as serious as a brain tumor.
3. Also, there is no guarantee that those with hearing loss would visit a doctor if their online test results warranted it. Elderly patients, in particular, could think the process is streamlined and smart without realizing that a correctable or medically risky condition could be the cause of their hearing loss.
In some cases, online hearing tests do provide a useful tool for learning about individual hearing loss. In 2008, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden developed on online hearing test that was similar to a clinical pure-tone audiogram. They found that it was an inexpensive way to screen for hearing loss in large populations and was more accurate than questionnaire-based studies. Still, researchers there cautioned that the test shouldn't replace a clinical pure-tone audiogram conducted by a trained hearing care professional.
Online Hearing Tests can be effective in some cases. Online hearing tests provide a good first step for people concerned that they may have hearing loss. An online hearing test can be used as a screening test - where it is a starting point to get a full diagnostic hearing test.
Having your hearing checked regularly is an important part of life. A hearing test, which is also known as an audiogram, helps determine what kind of hearing loss you have by measuring your ability to hear sounds.
The first method of getting a hearing test completed is to visit your local Costco. Most locations have hearing centers and allow you to call in to set an appointment. If you have a membership, the hearing test is free. If you do not have a membership, we recommend that you get one as the cost of membership, approximately $45, is still cheaper than going to an audiologist or an ear, nose and throat specialist. And yes, these companies do sell hearing aids, but they are still priced about 50% higher than the hearing aids sold by Century Hearing Aids. When your test is complete make sure to request a copy of your hearing test.
The second method for getting a hearing test is to visit an audiologist or an ear, nose and throat specialist or veterans administration. Make sure to ask your audiologist or specialist ahead of time if they will provide you with the results of your test. Many do not. If they don't, we highly recommend that you utilize one of the previous two methods to get your hearing test done. Also, while many insurance companies will cover the cost of a hearing test, most do not cover the cost of hearing aids
There are a couple issues with online hearing tests
1. "Audiometers are calibrated to meet federal guidelines", noted Mark Pyle, MD, academic vice chairman of otolaryngology and residency program director at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. This ensures test accuracy nationwide. With an online test, "there is no calibration, there is no soundproof room, there is no masking, there is no control," Dr. Pyle said. "So we really don't know what degree of hearing loss they have. Some people may receive devices that are too powerful. They may receive devices that aren't appropriate."
Results for a consumer who takes the test with background noise could show hearing loss where there is none, causing the person to buy a hearing aid that isn't needed.
In addition, headphone quality is not standardized, Nor are Computer Speakers etc. A person with low-quality or malfunctioning headphones could get test results indicating hearing loss that doesn't exist.
"There's a reason that we have an audio booth that costs anywhere from $30,000 to $40,000 to do hearing tests, and that's to maintain the accuracy of the hearing tests," said Todd Hillman, MD, an otolaryngologist at Pittsburgh Ear Associates. "There is not a viable way to do an online hearing test that is accurate or consistent at this point in time."
2. Online hearing screens cannot tell you the cause of hearing loss - the cause may be something as minor as too much earwax or as serious as a brain tumor.
3. Also, there is no guarantee that those with hearing loss would visit a doctor if their online test results warranted it. Elderly patients, in particular, could think the process is streamlined and smart without realizing that a correctable or medically risky condition could be the cause of their hearing loss.
In some cases, online hearing tests do provide a useful tool for learning about individual hearing loss. In 2008, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden developed on online hearing test that was similar to a clinical pure-tone audiogram. They found that it was an inexpensive way to screen for hearing loss in large populations and was more accurate than questionnaire-based studies. Still, researchers there cautioned that the test shouldn't replace a clinical pure-tone audiogram conducted by a trained hearing care professional.
Online Hearing Tests can be effective in some cases. Online hearing tests provide a good first step for people concerned that they may have hearing loss. An online hearing test can be used as a screening test - where it is a starting point to get a full diagnostic hearing test.
Having your hearing checked regularly is an important part of life. A hearing test, which is also known as an audiogram, helps determine what kind of hearing loss you have by measuring your ability to hear sounds.
The first method of getting a hearing test completed is to visit your local Costco. Most locations have hearing centers and allow you to call in to set an appointment. If you have a membership, the hearing test is free. If you do not have a membership, we recommend that you get one as the cost of membership, approximately $45, is still cheaper than going to an audiologist or an ear, nose and throat specialist. And yes, these companies do sell hearing aids, but they are still priced about 50% higher than the hearing aids sold by Century Hearing Aids. When your test is complete make sure to request a copy of your hearing test.
The second method for getting a hearing test is to visit an audiologist or an ear, nose and throat specialist or veterans administration. Make sure to ask your audiologist or specialist ahead of time if they will provide you with the results of your test. Many do not. If they don't, we highly recommend that you utilize one of the previous two methods to get your hearing test done. Also, while many insurance companies will cover the cost of a hearing test, most do not cover the cost of hearing aids
Once you have your hearing test in your hands...you are ready to send it to us here....How to Send Us Your Audiogram or learn how to read your audiogram here: How to Read Your Audiogram
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