THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 Page 17 Free Online Hearing Tests You Can Take at Home Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend any good online hearing tests? My husband has hearing loss, but I can’t get him to go in and get his hearing checked, so I thought a simple online test could help him recognize he has a problem. What can you tell me? Loud Talking Linda Dear Linda, There’s actually a growing number of very good online and app-based hearing tests available that will let your husband check his hearing on his own. These tests are a quick and convenient option for the millions of Americans that have mild to moderate hearing loss but often ignore it, or don’t want to go through the hassle or expense of visiting an audiologist for a hearing exam. Who Should Test? Hearing loss for most people develops gradually over many years of wear and tear, which is the reason many people don’t realize they actually have a hearing problem. Anyone who has difficulty hearing or understanding what people say, especially in noisier environments or over the phone. Or, if you need a higher volume of music or TV than other people, should take a few minutes to test their hearing. Self-Hearing Tests Online and app-based hearing tests can serve as a great screening tool. They are not meant to be a diagnosis, but rather to give you an idea of how bad your hearing loss is and what can be done about it. For most do-it-yourself hearing tests, you’ll be advised to wear ear headphones or earbuds and sit in a quiet spot. You also need to know that there are two different types of tests available. One type is known as pure-tone testing, where tones are played in decreasing volumes to determine your specifi c level of hearing loss. And the other type is known as speech-in-noise or digits-in-noise (DIN) where you’ll be asked to identify words, numbers, or phrases amid background noise. Where to Test If your husband uses a smartphone or tablet, two of my favorite app-based hearing tests are the hearWHO app created by the World Health Organization, and the Mimi Hearing Test app. Both apps are free to use and are available through the App Store and Google Play. HearWHO allows users to check their hearing status and monitor it over time using a DIN test, while Mimi uses pure-tone and masked threshold tests to give you a detailed picture of your hearing abilities. There are also a wide variety of online hearing tests your husband can take on a computer. Some top online tests – all offered by hearing aid manufacturers – for speech-in-noise or DIN tests can be accessed at ReSound (resound.com/en-us/online-hearing-test) and Mircle Ear (miracle-ear.com/online-hearing-test). And some good online hearing tests for pure-tone testing are available by Signia (signia.net/en/service/hearing-test); Ergo (eargo.com/hearing-health/ hearing-check); and MD Hearing Aid (mdhearingaid.com/hearing-test). All of these hearing tests are completely free to use and take less than fi ve minutes to complete. What to do with Results If the tests indicate your husband has hearing loss, it’s best to think of that as a starting point. He should take results to his doctor or an audiologist for further evaluation. Many insurance providers and Medicare Advantage plans cover routine hearing exams, however original Medicare does not. If his hearing loss is mild to moderate, he should look into the new over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, which are available this fall online and at retailers like Best Buy, Walgreens and CVS. OTC hearing aids don’t require a prescription or medical examination for purchase and they’re much more aff ordable than traditional hearing aids you buy through an audiologist or a licensed hearing instrument specialist. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Meal Site Flyer Revere residents to participate in Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai Will join thousands in the iconic fundraising walk for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to fi ght all forms of cancer T en residents from Revere will participate in the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai on Sunday, October 2. Santiago Parra Velez, Kenneth Griffi n, Theresa Traniello, Yu Sheung Mok, Dorothy Morgan, Anthony Desousa, Grace Griffi n, Claire Inzerillo, Yu Hing Mok and Evelyn Griffi n, along with thousands of other walkers, will participate in the iconic annual event that will unite the community to raise funds to support all forms of adult and pediatric care and cancer research at the nation’s premier cancer center, DanaFarber Cancer Institute. The Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $155 million for the DanaFarber Cancer Institute in its 33year history. “Throughout the past 33 years, the Jimmy Fund Walk has continuously supported life-saving research and cancer care at Dana-Farber. And the pandemic didn’t stop us,” said Jimmy Fund Walk Director Zack Blackburn. “Over the past two years, participants walked virtually and celebrated in their own unique ways. Now, we welcome them to walk the course in person. We are back, we are together, and we are stronger than ever.” Participants have the fl exibility to choose from four distance options: 5K Walk (3.1 miles from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute), 10K Walk (6.2 miles from Newton), Half Marathon Walk (13.1 miles from Wellesley) or Marathon Walk (26.2 miles from Hopkinton). Participants can also choose to join the event virtually by “walking their way” from wherever they are most comfortable – in their neighborhood, on a favorite hiking trail or on a treadmill at home. Virtual programming and supporting materials are available. Along the course, walkers are treated to 12 refueling stations as well as poster-sized photographs of patients – Jimmy Fund Walk Heroes – displayed at each mile and half-mile marker as inspiration. All four routes of the Jimmy Fund Walk end at the Copley Square Finish Line powered by Schneider Electric with a celebration complete with food, music and a speaking program. To register for the Jimmy Fund Walk (#JimmyFundWalk) or to support a walker, visit www. JimmyFundWalk.org or call 866531-9255. Registrants can enter the promo code NEWS for $5 off the registration fee. All registered walkers will receive a bib, a medal and a Jimmy Fund Walk T-shirt. About The Jimmy Fund: It was established in Boston in 1948 and is comprised of community-based fundraising events and other programs that, solely and directly, benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving mission to provide compassionate patient care and groundbreaking cancer research for children and adults. The Jimmy Fund is an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Pan-Mass Challenge and the Variety Children's Charity of New England. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped The Jimmy Fund save countless lives and reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide. Follow The Jimmy Fund on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @TheJimmyFund. Community opportunity: volunteers sought V olunteers are urgently needed to assist at senior meal sites in Malden, announced Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) this week. The new volunteers will help the Meal Site Manager in the daily operations of the lunch program, but they are also an important part of providing a warm and friendly atmosphere and a chance for older adults to socialize. “My life has been transformed since attending the dining site. I now have a purpose in life,” said one site visitor, explaining that the program enabled her to re-engage with others and fi nd a community to belong to. Volunteer duties may include setting tables, taking reservations for the meals, food preparation, serving the meal and cleanup. There are many older adults and people with disabilities who rely on this meal site for a nutritionally balanced meal, which for some is the only meal of the day. In addition, the opportunity to interact with volunteers and fellow visitors is invaluable. An hour or two of your time has an impact that is immeasurable. The team at MVES hopes that you will give your time to improve the quality of life of others in the community. Please contact MVES Volunteer Engagement Manager Nicole Sanders O’Toole at 781-388-2375 or nsotoole@mves.org to learn how to get involved. Assistance is needed at the Markey Senior Center (Malden Council on Aging, 7 Washington St. in Malden) as well as at the Malden Housing Authority (630 Salem St., Malden). Scheduling specifi cs will be discussed when you call. About Mystic Valley Elder Services Mystic Valley Elder Services is a non-profi t agency that provides essential home- and community-based care and resources to older adults, people living with disabilities, and caregivers. Based in Malden, Mass., MVES serves Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Revere, Stoneham, Wakefi eld and Winthrop. Agency services include coordination of home care, transportation, Meals on Wheels, and information and referrals. For more information, please call 781-324-7705 or visit www.mves.org.
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