How we do it: The Dutch functional hearing-screening tests by telephone and internet

Abstract

Keypoints * The Dutch National Hearing Test is a reliable and very successful functional hearing-screening test by telephone. An internet version of the National Hearing Test was also implemented. * The National Hearing Test is a fully automatic adaptive speech-in-noise test that uses digit-triplets as speech material. The result of the test is given as 'good,''insufficient,' or 'poor.' * The test by telephone performs better in reaching older subjects, who are more likely to suffer from hearing loss, than the test by internet. * More than 50% of the participants who scored 'insufficient' or 'poor' followed the recommendation to visit a GP, hearing-aid dispenser, ENT specialist or Audiological Center. * The tests contribute to increase the identification and treatment of older hearing-impaired subjects.