High-Rated Hearing Test Android Mobile Applications: Are they Appropriate for Action?

Authors: Mustafa MWM*

DOI: 10.23880/ooaj-16000249

Volume 7, Issue 2

Abstract

Background: Mobile smart phones are currently in the hands of most people. Smartphones have come a long way in automating hearing tests and auditory exams. Current phones have excellent microphones and noise-cancelling speaker outputs. Android phone hearing tests applications are currently used widely esp. after the COVID-19 pandemic. Aims/Objectives: This research was designed to address the accuracy of two high rated hearing test applications on Google play in relation to conventional pure tone clinic testing. Material & Methods: One hundred and eighty-three subjects participated in this study. They all enjoyed normal hearing thresholds when tested by a conventional pure-tone audiometer followed by hearing assessment using two mobile applications that were rated more than 4.5 on Google play: Hearing Assist and Hearing Test. Results: No significant statistical difference was found between the hearing thresholds obtained by a conventional audiometer and mobile hearing test applications at all tested frequencies (P> 0.5). Conclusions and Significance: Android mobile phone applications can be used reliably for hearing testing at home especially for follow up or screening.

Keywords: Hearing Test; Android; Application; Cellular Phone

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