Does someone you know need to get their hearing checked but won't go to the doctor? They can do it themselves via a 10-minute telephone call-in test.
Nearly everyone has someone in their family who says "What?" at least 20 times a day - yet resists the notion of seeing a doctor about their hearing.
Those folks can get a private assessment of their hearing through a do-it-yourself hearing test they can do from home.
The test takes about 10 minutes, and it simply involves calling a toll-lfree number from a landline. It's best to be in a quiet room to take the test.
The results remain private, given only to the user.
The test, developed by researchers affiliated with Indiana University with federal grant money, normally costs $5. It is free throughout the month of May because those costs are being underwritten by Duracell.
The test involves listening for three numbers spoken with various levels of background noise. Listeners respond by punching in the numbers they've heard. If they respond correctly, the next set of numbers will be accompanied by more background noise. If their answer is incorrect, the level of background noise will be reduced.
A spokesman for the National Hearing Test said that in past years, about 80 percent of the people who take the test turn out to have some level of hearing loss.
The number to call is 1-844-938-7223.
As soon as the test is concluded, the results for each ear will be given over the phone.
"Research shows that early identification of hearing loss leads to better quality of life and greater success with hearing aids," said Dr. Charles Watson, chief scientist for the National Hearing Test in the U.S. and professor emeritus of the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences at Indiana University, Bloomington.
Kathleen O'Brien may be reached at kobrien@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @OBrienLedger. Find NJ.com on Facebook.