The following is a summary of our April 22nd, 2020 CrowdChat.
Thank you for joining us today for this exciting discussion about online hearing tests. This CrowdChat is your opportunity to speak live with our guests, licensed audiologist, Vanessa Gauthier Davidson, and Sr Product Manager for SHOEBOX, Finn Allen. Please ask any questions you may have.
Q: How can an online screening solution ensure good or accurate results?
A: Online hearing tests are known to be unreliable. They are not meant to replace a diagnostic hearing evaluation or to offer a medical diagnosis; however, they can be the first step in your hearing health journey and identify your hearing ability. For example, SHOEBOX Online is a data-driven effective screener that uses five factors to classify and communicate with participants about their hearing ability correctly.The test will effectively categorize participants based on their hearing ability – normal hearing, some hearing loss, or significant hearing loss.The five factors that ensure effective categorization are:
- Device and transducer compensation
- Dynamic predictive questionnaire
- New patented test methodology
- Multi-frequency tone detection
- Hearing level curve shape (coming soon)
Q: How accurate is SHOEBOX Online compared to other free sites?
A: Unlike other free sites, SHOEBOX Online is a data-driven effective screener that uses five factors to classify and communicate with participants about their hearing ability correctly. The test will effectively categorize participants based on their hearing ability – normal hearing, some hearing loss, or significant hearing loss.
Q: We already have an existing set up with audiometric equipment. Is there an online component-only option?
A: Yes, SHOEBOX Online is a separate product that can be purchased independently.
Q: What is the cost of SHOEBOX Online?
A: The cost is determined based on your annual website traffic. We’ll have an account manager reach out to you after the CrowdChat with specifics if you’d like to provide us with your email.
Q: After taking the online test, what instructions/recommendations are given to the patient if a hearing loss is suspected (i.e. are they encouraged to look into hearing devices vs. seek further testing and instructions from a hearing professional)?
A: At the end of the test, we have very simple-to-understand results with the next steps that can be customized by you to guide your patients to your desired outcome.
Q: Why is the recommendation to use circumaural headphones over insert headphones?
A: Any headphones will work. With our testing, we did, however, notice that the sound output quality was generally better with the over-the-ear headphones.
Q: Do you have any video tutorials of how this works on your website that we can look at? I am an ENT surgeon in the UK. I am interested in patients being able to do the SHOEBOX Online test before I see them. What is the test output? Is it like a PTA graph/chart?
A: You can review the test and experience it yourself and see the simple-to-understand results by going to our SHOEBOX Online summary page. The participants will be classified into one of these three buckets: normal hearing, hearing loss and significant hearing loss. Participant results are stored in our web portal for you to see.
Q: How is it added to my website? And how does it work?
A: With SHOEBOX Online, you can embed the hearing screener test on your website. The participant completes the online test, and the results page button directs them to your custom web page. Participants will land on your web page, which provides contact details for the next steps. You can also directly email the SHOEBOX Online unique link to participants. By clicking on the link, participants will be able to complete the online screener. Participant results are stored in our portal against the unique link.
Q: After someone takes the online hearing test, will an audiogram be sent to a provider? Also, can this test be taken at home?
A: The participants are going to be classified into one of these three buckets: normal hearing, hearing loss and significant hearing loss. Participant’s results are stored in our web portal for you to see. And yes, this screener can be taken at home.
Q: Why and how would I use SHOEBOX Online? What are the benefits of adding an online screener to my website?
A: It is well-known that the majority of individuals with significant hearing loss (more than 50% in North America) have not had their hearing loss diagnosed or treated. SHOEBOX Online is designed to be taken by individuals who perhaps are not yet ready to make a formal appointment in an audiology clinic. The purpose is to lower the barrier to entry into their hearing health journey. An online screener can help:
- Engage more people and start them sooner on their journey to hearing health.
- Effectively categorize clients based on their hearing ability
- Schedule follow-up appointments based on test results
- Educate participants and help spread hearing health awareness
Q: What is the target age range for testing?
A: The online test is designed for adults above 18 years. We have spent significant time user-testing with all age ranges, specifically focusing on 45-70 to ensure it is easy and intuitive to use.
Q: Can someone use SHOEBOX Online without using headphones or earbuds? Can they use the internal speakers on a laptop, iPad, etc.?
A: No, this test is only available with headphones. It can actually be used with any headphones that someone owns.