In an earlier communication Better Hearing Institute (BHI) discussed the validity, reliability and utility of the BHI Quick Hearing Check based on the results of an 11,000 person study conducted by Kochkin & Bentler and published in the November 2010 Hearing Review.  As a result of the success of this study we have completely redesigned our online hearing test to be more attractive and consumer friendly; in addition at the end of this 5 minute hearing test we provide the consumer with a customized printable report concerning their hearing loss status with recommendations.

In this redesigned format the consumer is presented with 15 situations or signs of hearing loss with a picture in the background representing the situation. The consumer indicates the extent to which that situation is a problem to them when not wearing hearing aids on a five point Likert Scale (Strongly agree – strongly disagree).

At the end of the exercise the consumer is presented with a customized printable report detailing the following information from our original study:

• BHI quick hearing check score
• Norm compared to the U.S. population with hearing loss
• Estimated dB loss better ear – speech range
• Estimated dB loss 5 tone – PTA both ears
• Probability HL > 40 dB in both ears
• Subjective classification of hearing loss based on consumer perceptions (note: standard audiological classifications were shown to be too conservative in the study)
• Recommendation

We are recommending that every web site in the hearing health industry (audiologists, hearing instrument specialists, hearing aid manufacturers and non-profits) should consider linking to this online test at www.hearingcheck.org.

The BHI Quick Hearing Check is a “fun” self-identification tool that consumers can use—without embarrassment or stress—to assess their hearing status. It just might start them on their journey to better hearing!