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Online hearing tests - What makes a good test?

It has been over a decade since the FDA permitted the sales of hearing aids online and a number of companies are still the leaders in this field. The hunt for affordable hearing aids can be exhausting but the introduction of online hearing aid companies and, more recently, free online hearing tests has dramatically lowered the cost of addressing hearing loss, making hearing health both more accessible and affordable. 

However, the quality of these tests can vary greatly.  Some tests are simply “screeners” to determine if significant hearing loss is an issue, while others measure “pure-tone air-conduction” which determines your ability to hear at different sound frequencies, in each ear.   The results from “pure-tone air-conduction” tests are used by Audiologists to program your hearing aids.

Online "Pure Tone Air Conduction" hearing tests allow you to assess your hearing loss in the comfort of your own homes without the hassle, cost and resulting sales pressure of visiting a local audiologist or ENT practice.  A few critical steps in completing these tests are 1) Being in an extremely quiet place - any background noise will affect results and 2) Using headphones or earbuds connected to your Laptop or mobile phone.

  • Look for tests that have been designed by professionals within the field of audiology – preferably a team of neuroscientists, audiologists and/or sound engineers.

  • Avoid tests that take less than 5 minutes to assess your hearing as these 'screeners' and are unlikely to provide accurate, separate results for each ear or identify specific types of sounds that can be creating your hearing issues. Remember, a set of premium performance hearing aids is a serious investment – taking an extra few minutes to get an accurate result is well worth the time.

  • Choose a test with clear instructions that are easy to execute.

  • More sophisticated on-line tests will result an audiogram chart showing the performance of both ears. This is the data that can be used to program the hearing aids. If the hearing test provider does not require the results, they are not programming your hearing aids - they are selling simple amplifiers.
  • Confirm that a certified audiologist will use the results to custom-program your hearing aids, if you decide to purchase. Some companies offer a “screener” test but do not use the results to program the hearing aids, instead offering simple amplification or universal programs which will not offer the sound clarity most users need.

Once you have completed the test, you should expect personal follow up and a detailed hearing aid recommendation, if appropriate.  Be sure that you are dealing with a reputable company who will custom program the hearing aids to your specific test results. Look for companies that sell current technology from a major manufacturer and will program your hearing aids to your specific hearing needs. Strong customer ratings, a money-back trial period, and a comprehensive product warranty are also critical.  Make sure you feel that you feel comfortable with the honesty and integrity of the company and its representatives as you will be entering into a relationship that should last for 5 or more years. 

Embrace Hearing has partnered with SonicCloud to offer our customers one of the best online hearing tests available.  The test was designed by Larry Gutterman (SonicCloud co-founder ), in conjunction with Dr. Jody Winzelberg, former Chief of Audiology at Stanford Children's Health. In the clinical trials, our hearing test results were not statistically significantly different from the results of tests conducted in hearing aid clinics. The test has received Fast Company’s “World Changing Ideas” award, was recognized by Apple CEO Tim Cook as a “life changing App,” and has been downloaded over 100,000 times. Renowned Audiologist Robert Sweetow, PhD, Professor Emeritus UCSF School of Medicine, acknowledged that “SonicCloud’s Hearing Assessment is better than any other internet hearing test out there.” 

Embrace's hearing test delivers incredibly accurate hearing assessment finds your minimum threshold and loudness tolerances at each frequency. Combined with the programming by Embrace Hearing's Audiologists, you will get better speech understanding in all environments. 

These test results coupled with Embrace Hearing’s unmatched technology, prices and customer service are guaranteed to provide our customers the best possible online hearing aid experience!

 

 

How accurate are the results of online tests*?  Researchers have been studying how online tests compare to similar tests given in a hearing-care professional’s sound-proof booth. Results have varied depending on the sophistication of the test, but newer tests are showing accuracy levels on par with those found in professional tests. In fact, recent studies published in the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology and The International Journal of Audiology both concluded that some tests can be used as an accurate tool to measure hearing thresholds without the use of a sound-proof booth or a certified audiologist.

 

*No online hearing test can replace a comprehensive evaluation of your hearing health by an audiologist or ENT doctor.  Hearing loss can result from many factors including injury, illness, or even the accumulation of earwax. Some forms of hearing loss may be reversible while others may worsen over time without treatment.  If you are told that your results are unusual or irregular, make an appointment for a full evaluation by an audiologist or ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) doctor as soon as possible.

 

 

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The X-Series Models

Vs
  • Compare to:

  • Our price per ear/pair:

  • ? This is the number of frequency bands we use to program your hearing aids to the results of your hearing test. The hearing aid then uses these bands to re-build sound to meet the needs of your hearing loss. The greater the number of bands, the better the sound quality delivered to you.
    Programable bands/channels

  • ? Our comprehensive warranty covers any manufacturer defects including free replacement of rechargeable batteries and receivers as well as half price one-time loss and irreparable damage replacement. In addition, during the warranty, there is no charge for reprogramming or adjustments.
    Warranty (and Loss Insurance)

  • ? Connects directly to your smartphone (or other Android or Apple device). Two way streaming enables completely hands free calls. Add our TV Connector for direct streaming from your TV so you can adjust your TV volume without affecting the sound for others.
    Bluetooth for completeley hands-free calls

  • ? Although the software on these hearings makes adjustments seldom necessary, it is possible to change the volume and some manual settings using either the free smartphone App or the buttons on the aids. An optional hand held remote is also available.
    Volume and Program Control

  • ? We offer a choice of disposable 312 battery or lithium ion rechargeable battery on some models. The rechargeable battery will perform for up to 24 hours after a 3 hour charge. The disposable batteries will last 3-7 days depending on hours of use, level of hearing loss and amount of Bluetooth streaming. A year’s supply of size 312 batteries currently costs about $30/year/aid.
    Power Source

  • ? The hearing aid's software automatically identifies and adjusts to changes in your sound environment (e.g. From a quiet car to a noisy restaurant) so no manual adjustments are needed.
    Automatically adjusts to your environment

  • ? This is the best technology for group situations. It provides optimal speech understanding from all directions by dynamically scanning your environment to focus on the active speaker in your immediate vicinity.
    LiveSpeechFocus

  • ? While most people find that the restoration of high frequency hearing through the use of properly programmed hearing aids significantly improves tinnitus symptoms, there is more we can do. All of our hearing aids come with a tinnitus management program. This is not a cure but it can further help alleviate tinnitus symptoms through the use of a self-adjustable 'white noise' sound in the background.
    Tinnitus Manager Program

  • ? BiCROS hearing aid progamming is for people who have unaidable hearing loss in one ear but have some level of hearing in the other. You would wear hearing aids on both ears. We program them so a microphone picks up sounds from the weak ear and transmits them to wirelessly to the ear with better hearing.
    BiCROS programming

  • ? REMOTE PROGRAMMING - With the X-550 and X-950 models, we can make adjustments to you hearing aids remotely. You would explain the issue to our Audiologists and the new program would be uploaded to your hearing aids automatically (via Bluetooth).
    Remote Programming

  • ? TELECOIL - The telecoil is also known as a T-coil, or T-switch. When activated, the telecoil permits the transmission of sound from a "Hearing Loop" sometimes found in public spaces and theaters. If you require this feature, please call us for details at (888) 929-9555.
    Telecoil

  • Colors

The C-Series Models

Vs
  • Compare to:

  • Our price per ear/pair:

  • ? This is the number of frequency bands we use to program your hearing aids to the results of your hearing test. The hearing aid then uses these bands to re-build sound to meet the needs of your hearing loss. The greater the number of bands, the more natural the sound and the better the performance in more challenging situations, like restaurants.
    Programable bands/channels

  • ? Our comprehensive warranty covers any manufacturer defects including free replacement of rechargeable batteries and receivers as well as half price one-time loss and irreparable damage replacement. In addition, during the warranty, there is no charge for reprogramming or adjustments.
    Warranty (and Loss Insurance)

  • ? Although the software on these hearings makes adjustments seldom necessary, it is possible to change the volume and some manual settings using the Android/Apple smartphone App or optional hand held remote.
    Volume and Program Control

  • ? The disposable size 10 batteries on these hearing aids will last about 4-6 days depending on hours of use and level of hearing loss. A year’s supply of size 10 batteries currently costs about $30/year/aid.
    Power Source

  • ? The hearing aid's software automatically identifies and adjusts to changes in your sound environment (e.g. From a quiet car to a noisy restaurant) so no manual adjustments are needed.
    Automatically adjusts to your environment

  • ? This is the best technology for group situations. It provides optimal speech understanding from all directions by dynamically scanning your environment to focus on the active speaker in your immediate vicinity.
    LiveSpeechFocus

  • ? While most people find that the restoration of high frequency hearing through the use of properly programmed hearing aids significantly improves tinnitus symptoms, there is more we can do. All of our hearing aids come with a tinnitus management program. This is not a cure but it can further help alleviate tinnitus symptoms through the use of a self-adjustable 'white noise' sound in the background.
    Tinnitus Manager Program

  • ? BiCROS hearing aids are designed for people who have unaidable hearing loss in one ear but have some level of hearing in the other. You would wear hearing aids on both ears. A microphone picks up sounds from the weak ear and transmits it to wirelessly to the ear with better hearing
    BiCROS programming

  • ? With the C-540 and C-940 models, we can make adjustments to you hearing aids remotely. You would explain the issue to our Audiologists and the new program would be uploaded to your hearing aids automatically.
    Remote programming and adjustments

  • Telecoil

  • Colors

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