{"id":263201,"date":"2025-10-21T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.horendgoed.nl\/geen-onderdeel-van-een-categorie\/can-wearables-such-as-smartwatches-detect-hearing-loss\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T09:00:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T07:00:46","slug":"can-wearables-such-as-smartwatches-detect-hearing-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.horendgoed.nl\/en\/news\/can-wearables-such-as-smartwatches-detect-hearing-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Can wearables such as smartwatches detect hearing loss?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wearables have become an integral part of our daily lives. From smart watches that measure your heart rate to earbuds that assess your stress level, technology is shifting further and further toward personal health. But did you know that some wearables now also focus on hearing? Think apps and features that monitor noise levels in your environment, or notifications that alert you if you\u2019re getting too much noise too often. It raises an interesting question: can wearables such as smartwatches detect hearing loss? And if so, how reliable is it really? <\/p>\n\n

In this blog, we dive into the state of the art. We look at what features already exist, what the science says about hearing measurements via wearables, the benefits and limitations, and what the future might look like. <\/p>\n\n

How does hearing measurement normally work?<\/h2>\n\n

To understand what a wearable can or cannot do, it is helpful to first consider how hearing loss is normally diagnosed. This is done through an audiometry test<\/strong>, performed by an audiologist<\/a> or ENT doctor. This involves hearing different tones through headphones at increasing and decreasing volumes and frequencies. In this way it is mapped out which tones you can and cannot perceive. <\/p>\n\n

There are also more advanced methods, such as tympanometry<\/strong> (to measure the functioning of the middle ear) or oto-acoustic emissions<\/strong> (which looks at whether the ear itself produces sound in response). In short, measuring hearing loss is normally a pretty precise process that requires professional equipment. <\/p>\n\n

Of course, a smartwatch doesn\u2019t have a soundproof booth or professional measuring equipment. But that doesn\u2019t mean it can\u2019t do anything. <\/p>\n\n

What are wearables already doing for your hearing?<\/h2>\n\n

Most smartwatches and some wireless earbuds focus primarily on prevention<\/strong> rather than diagnosis. Apple, Samsung and Garmin, for example, have built in features that: <\/p>\n\n