Hearing-Health Care Accessibility and the Promise and Limitations of Remote Hearing Assessment Apps

Hearing loss affects 1.5 billion people globally (World Health Organization, 2021) and can lead to physical, mental, and social challenges. Pure-tone audiometry conducted in a sound-treated booth is the gold standard for diagnosing hearing loss. However, in-person hearing assessments are often inaccessible in low- and middle-income countries and rural areas. Remote hearing-assessment apps, available on smartphones and online platforms, offer a potential solution. These tools represent a significant step forward in hearing-health care accessibility, but they are not without limitations.

In this issue of JAAA, Mui and colleagues validate the performance of three apps, two freely available on smartphones and one web-based app, against a standard audiometric test (Mui et al, 2025). The study involved 60 adults with varying degrees of hearing loss who underwent standard audiometric testing, followed by assessments using the three apps in both a controlled laboratory setting and at home. The results varied among apps. Perhaps the most encouraging findings were the high ratings of ecological validity and usability; most concerning was performance in the lower frequencies.

Remote hearing-assessment apps hold great promise in making hearing care more accessible. This is a study worth reading and replicating with additional apps as they become available. As the authors point out, in 2023 more than 180 remote hearing-assessment apps were identified. Presumably, there are even more now in 2025.

Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of continued research to ensure hearing-assessment apps can provide reliable and accurate results for all users. By investing in this research—as scientists, clinicians, or consumers of research—we can move closer to a future where everyone has access to high-quality hearing care, regardless of their location or circumstances.