British deafness organization creates iPhone app to check hearing

From Computer Active in the UK:

An innovative iPhone application that allows people to check their hearing has been launched by the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID).

The scientifically verified Hearing Check app measures a person's ability to hear someone speaking when there is background noise, similar to being in a crowded room.

The charity, which represents the nine million people in the UK who are deaf or hard of hearing, said hearing loss can have a profound effect on a person's life. However, it can take up to 15 years for someone to take action about their hearing loss.

The new app is a version of its online PC or phone-based technology, which has been used by more than half a million people to check their hearing so far.

Jackie Ballard, RNID's Chief Executive, said: "This is a fantastic new way to encourage people to value their hearing and check it regularly. The Hearing Check application offers quick results and confidential advice from anywhere with a decent phone signal."

The RNID hopes the free app will encourage the 40 million iPhone users worldwide to check their hearing is within the normal range.

The Hearing Check app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch can be downloaded from the Apple iTunes app store, from the RNID site and Facebook.