Abstract
The wide availability of free or inexpensive hearing test applications for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets has created a potential for more affordable and accessible hearing health care for patients and providers (Am J Audiol. 2015;24(3)]:293). Smartphone ownership among adults 65 years old and over has more than doubled in the past five years (Pew, 2017). Surveys show that older adults have become more technologically savvy and are increasingly using their smartphones for medical care management (AARP, 2018). Research indicates that in addition to a high prevalence of hearing loss among older adults, there is a high percentage of those who delay treatment or leave their hearing loss untreated. Untreated hearing loss in older adults has been associated with poorer psychosocial, communication, and cognitive function and a higher risk for developing dementia (Oyler. ASHA, 2012). As such, self-administered hearing test apps can be advantageous for older adults, who may not have access or are disinclined to seek audiological services. However, of the many hearing test apps available, few have been validated or have shown mixed findings in accuracy (JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol. 2016;3(2):e13). In this study, we evaluated the accuracy and clinical potential of two free iOS self-hearing test apps (Am J Audiol. 2018 Sep 13:1).