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from the "can-you-hear-me-now"-is-too-cliche-of-a dept.
Ever wondered if you've hurt your ears? Too much rock 'n roll, or too many loud race cars? Just discovered this over-the-phone test which is offered free this month in USA, call 866-223-7575.
More info at nationalhearingtest.org:
The critical difference between the NHT and other telephone tests is that the NHT uses digits in noise, rather than pure tones. Previous objections to telephone-administered tests were based on the unreliability of pure-tone tests administered over the telephone. Because the NHT measures an SNR threshold, rather than one based on the absolute level of tones, the NHT can produce a reliable screening measure of hearing, despite the differences in sound levels produced by different telephones.
Scientists at VU University Medical Center in the Netherlands developed the first telephone hearing screenings based on spoken digits in noise. The Dutch National Hearing Test was introduced in 2004 and has since served as a model for similar tests throughout Europe and Australia. The United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Spain, and Australia have developed and introduced their own versions of a telephone hearing screening, all using digit sequences presented in noise. The growing popularity of this form of screening test is due in part to its demonstrated validity and reliability. Testing by telephone is also a convenient, inexpensive way to determine whether a person's functional hearing is within the normal range.
(Score: 2) by captain normal on Monday May 12 2014, @04:35AM
That seems what they are measuring. Signal from noise in a very limited bandwidth. About 3000 hertz from a low of ~400 htz to 3400 htz, which is the bandwidth of analogue telephone. They are not measuring range of tone, but ability to discern signal from noise. Which to me is a neurological ability.
"It is easier to fool someone than it is to convince them that they have been fooled" Mark Twain