Application-Based Hearing Screening in the Elderly Population

Abstract

Objectives: The effects of age-related hearing loss are severe. Early detection is essential for maximum benefit. However, most hearing-impaired adults delay obtaining treatment. Diagnostic hearing testing at an appropriate facility is impractical, and new methods for screening audiometry aim to provide easy access for patients and reliable outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of application-based hearing screening in an elderly population. Methods: The uHear application was downloaded to an iPad. Application-based hearing screening was performed in a non-soundproofed quiet room, and subsequently all participants underwent full diagnostic audiometry in a soundproof booth. Results: Sixty patients were recruited and completed both tests. Significant differences were observed between the hearing results obtained with the application and the standard audiogram at all frequencies and in both ears. Following subtraction of a constant factor of 25 dB from the application-based results in order to compensate for ambient noise, no significant differences in pure tone average were found between the 2 methods. Conclusions: The uHear application is inaccurate in assessing hearing thresholds for screening in the elderly. However, when site-specifically corrected, the uHear application may be used as a screening tool for hearing loss in an elderly population.