Online hearing tests are a useful starting point to see if you may have hearing loss. They are convenient and easy to use. If you do not follow all instructions, including correct calibration of volume, your results may be skewed. Additionally, online hearing tests are not as comprehensive as in-office listening tests and cannot diagnose the type or source of your hearing loss. Audiologists have the expertise and better tools to work in rooms that are sound-processed with professional equipment, Healthy listening. Even if your online test does not detect any problems, it is worth taking an in-person exam if you have any problems with your listening or ears.
Online testing usually includes only one or two of the following test types:
- Pure tone, involving listening to tones of different frequencies
- Noise in speech or background noise, which requires listening to a specific sound on the background
- Voice Audiometer, which tests your ability to hear spoken audio in different volumes
Hearing inspections in the office can include all the above test types, etc. These include (but are not limited to):
- Bone conduction test, which tests whether specific parts of the ear have problems such as fluid blockage
- Drum plate assay, which tests the ability of eardrum movement
- Ear sound emission testlook at your inner ear function
- Physical examination of ear structure
Online listening tests are usually free, but in-office listening tests can come at a price. If you have health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, annual hearing tests may be covered. Otherwise, the cost will vary by practitioner or location.
Is the online listening test accurate?
Which online listening test is the most accurate?
Who shouldn’t take online listening tests?
