The digital age has revolutionized the way we access everything—from groceries to healthcare. In the realm of hearing, the evolution of e-health and telemedicine has shifted the focus from traditional clinic visits to the ability to conduct hearing tests conveniently from home. But are these online hearing tests accurate? The short answer is yes, they can be! Online hearing tests can offer accurate results, but it's important to know what to look for when selecting a test that will assess your hearing quickly, reliably, and for free. That said, there are some limitations, so let's explore the pros and cons of using online hearing tests.

Pros of online hearing tests

Convenience

On average, people wait about seven years before seeking professional help when they suspect hearing loss. The hassle of scheduling and visiting a hearing clinic often delays action. An online hearing test eliminates the need for a clinic visit, providing a quick and easy way to check your hearing from home. Gradual hearing loss can make it hard for people to recognize changes in their hearing, so online tests are a valuable tool for early detection. They also offer access to free professional guidance from the comfort of your home, making it both time-efficient and convenient.

Approachability

Taking a hearing test online at home is less intimidating than an in-person appointment with a professional. If you suspect hearing loss, you’ll have time to process the results privately before deciding to seek expert advice.

Cons of online hearing tests

Inaccurate results are possible

While there are numerous online hearing tests available, not all of them offer clinical-level accuracy. Simple issues, like earwax buildup or a past injury, can affect the results, leading to potential inaccuracies.

They don’t detect the cause of hearing loss

Online tests can detect hearing loss but won’t identify the underlying cause. In a clinical setting, a professional can conduct a series of tests to pinpoint the cause of the hearing impairment, helping guide the most effective treatment plan.

They measure, but don’t assess your overall hearing health

An online hearing test measures your ability to hear, but it doesn't assess the health of your ears or the condition of your inner ear structures. Medical conditions, medications, or a history of ear issues can all affect your hearing but may not be detectable with an online test.

How to choose the right online hearing test

When selecting an online hearing test, you'll encounter two main types: calibrated and uncalibrated tests.

Calibrated tests

Calibrated tests measure your hearing thresholds against a standardized reference, ensuring consistency and accuracy. A pure-tone test is an example, where sounds of varying frequencies and volumes are played, and the lowest sound you can hear is recorded as your hearing threshold.

Uncalibrated tests

Uncalibrated tests don’t rely on a precise reference point and often involve adjusting sound levels until the user can comfortably hear the sounds. These tests may be less reliable than calibrated ones because they don’t measure sound against a fixed standard.

Which type of online hearing test should you choose?

New online hearing tests are constantly being developed, but validated tests based on the Speech-in-Noise (SIN) method combined with questionnaires appear to be the most effective. SIN tests simulate real-world listening scenarios and assess how well a person can hear speech in noisy environments—often a sign of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). These tests are more accurate than traditional pure-tone audiometry and can be enhanced by adding Digits-in-Noise (DIN) tests, which evaluate speech recognition abilities in background noise. SIN tests offer a more precise analysis by comparing your results to a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which helps gauge the extent of hearing loss. They also provide valuable information about how background noise impacts your hearing, which can be a useful tool for counseling patients and setting realistic hearing expectations. In addition to the SIN test, pairing it with a questionnaire about your lifestyle and health conditions will improve the accuracy of the results. Standardized and validated questionnaires help ensure that the screening is as comprehensive as possible.

Go hearing online screener

When it comes to selecting the best online hearing test, Go Hearing’s Online Screener stands out as one of the most advanced options available. Here’s why:

• Free of charge
• SIN-based test that can be taken with any set of headphones or earphones at home
• Digits-in-noise test presents random number triplets against background noise, adjusting volume throughout the test
• Accurately measures your speech recognition threshold (signal-to-noise ratio) to determine if you may have trouble hearing
• Validated through research, offering over 90% accuracy
• Reliable on PCs, tablets, or smartphones with any head/earphones
• Detects different types of hearing loss when compared with pure-tone audiometry
• Quick and easy, taking just two minutes to complete
• Indicates whether you might benefit from a hearing aid
• Supported by hearing professionals who can provide further guidance via phone or online consultations

While online hearing tests have some limitations, they can serve as a valuable first step in identifying potential hearing issues. With the right test, you can quickly and easily assess your hearing health. However, it’s important to consult a hearing professional afterward for a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan. Contact us today to learn more about Go Hearing aids and discover how you can improve your hearing on the go!