Audiology business Amplify Hearing has launched a brand-new hearing screener app for Amazon’s Alexa after recognising a pattern in undetected hearing loss amongst the over 50s.
One in six people in the UK are currently suffering from hearing loss and this app aims to address that issue in an exciting and innovative way.
‘Hearing Screener’ is a free app that can be accessed via Amazon’s Alexa App Store and offers a free hearing health check. The user asks Alexa to “launch hearing screener” to start the app and they are then asked a series of questions with a variance of background noises and pitch tones to test how precise their hearing is. The results have an impressive rate of accuracy. Once the test is complete, the application will give an indication of the user’s hearing and may give them the option to book an appointment with their local audiologist. Booking an appointment through the app requires minimal time and effort from the user.
The hearing assessment tool aims to draw attention to undetected hearing loss and encourage those who may be suffering to book an appointment at their local hearing care centre. Amplify has partnered with several local opticians who offer hearing tests and solutions in-house to help try and put an end to hearing loss that often goes unnoticed.
Christina Porter, audiology partner at Amplify Hearing said: "Early identification of changes in hearing and/or ear health, can lead to improved outcomes with hearing technology further down the line. We can also vastly improve relationships, social inclusion and general well-being when we look after our hearing properly."
A study from the University of Exeter found that people who wear a hearing aid for age-related hearing problems maintain better brain function over time than those who do not. The findings provide early evidence that encouraging people to wear an effective hearing aid may help to protect their brains and reduce their risk of dementia.
Dave Murphy, managing director at Amplify Hearing said: “The Alexa Hearing Screener App encapsulates the forward thinking at Amplify. Awareness and innovation are at the heart of our WHY, helping the patient enhance their full potential to enjoy the environments they love.”
