Dawes, P, Munro, K J, Frank, T L, Moore, D R, Armitage, C, Marsden, A, Lees, J & Dillon, H 2021, ' Uptake of internet-delivered UK adult hearing assessment ', International Journal of Audiology, pp. 1-5 . https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2021.1886353
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate uptake of the internet-based hearing test, with respect to the 11% of UK adults that have hearing loss but do not use hearing aids.DESIGN: Feasibility study in a primary care practice in the North of England.STUDY SAMPLE: Adults aged 50-74 years were sent postal invitations to complete an internet hearing test (N = 600). Those who completed the test, those who failed (>35 dB HL in the better ear) and demographic correlates (age, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic level) were recorded.RESULTS: 11.2% of invited adults completed the hearing test and 7.7% failed it. Those who took the test tended to have a higher socioeconomic background than those who did not. There were no differences in age, ethnicity or gender between those who took the test and those who did not.CONCLUSIONS: An estimated 70% (7.7%/11.0%) of adults with hearing loss but who do not use hearing aids took the test. Uptake was equitable across most demographic categories. Uptake was high among a study sample that was substantially more deprived than the general UK population. Internet-based hearing testing offers an efficient paradigm for identifying hearing loss.
PDF full text from Publisher