Hearing impaired people all over the world, often encounter various problems every day due to their condition. Sometimes, the problem relates to the screening test not being diagnosed satisfactorily on the other hand sometime cheap quality hearing aids make the life of a hearing impaired person a hell. Recently, Professor Mark Lutman and Dr Guoping Li of the ISVR have developed a new hearing screening test in China which will help around 100 million people suffering from hearing loss there. The new hearing screening test is based on the screening test which was developed by University’s Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) which more than a million people across Europe have undergone.
The aim of this screening test is to focus on the test which will help hearing impaired people to choose correct hearing aids to overcome their hearing difficulties. In Europe the percentage of people having hearing loss is around 16% while in China it is just 1%.
How this test for hearing impaired taken?
In the recent screening test, which is conducted on telephone, the individuals obtain an objective assessment of their hearing ability. This test is based on triple digit presentation like “2-5-9”, against a background of noise and then the listeners have to press the corresponding numbers on the telephone keypad.
When an individual gives a correct response, the noise increases, thus this test becomes more difficult, but an incorrect answer decreases the noise level, making the test easier. All in all through this test measures the highest noise level which is compatible with correct responses. This test also showcases the difficulties being faced by people having hearing loss. The original test was in English which Professor Lutman developed in 2005. Other tests were also developed which were based on Swiss-German and Welsh. The present test is based on Mandarin Chinese which Beijing Telecom, Huawei and Tongren Hospital are sponsoring. The test is now being developed to be used over the internet. Let’s hope for the best.
