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

TLDR

The Dutch National Hearing Test is a reliable, fully automatic adaptive speech‑in‑noise screening test using digit‑triplets, traditionally delivered by telephone. An internet version of the test was implemented, yielding results categorized as “good,” “insufficient,” or “poor,” and the telephone delivery was more effective at reaching older adults. Over half of participants scoring “insufficient” or “poor” followed the recommendation to seek professional care, and the tests helped increase identification and treatment of older hearing‑impaired individuals.

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.