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A study on the IOS application “uHear” as a screening tool for hearing loss in Bangkok

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to compare the results of hearing tests performed using the uHear application with those of standard audiometry in Thai people in Bangkok. METHODS: From December 2018 to November 2019, a prospective observational study was conducted involving Thai participants aged...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Bunnag, Kanokrat, Kaewsalubsri, Wikallaya, Junthong, Sirinan, Kulthaveesup, Anan
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2022
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9948572/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36846435
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lio2.996
Descripción
Sumario:OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to compare the results of hearing tests performed using the uHear application with those of standard audiometry in Thai people in Bangkok. METHODS: From December 2018 to November 2019, a prospective observational study was conducted involving Thai participants aged between 18 and 80 years. All participants were tested using standard audiometry and the uHear application in a soundproof booth and in a typical hearing environment. RESULTS: This study included 52 participants (12 males and 40 females). The Bland–Altman plot with the Minimal Clinical Meaningful Difference of 10 dB between standard audiometry and the uHear in a soundproof booth found agreement at 2000 Hz. The uHear in a soundproof booth showed high sensitivity at all frequencies (82.5%–98.9%) and high specificity at 500 and 1000 Hz (85.7%–100%). uHear in a typical hearing environment showed high sensitivity at 4000 and 6000 Hz (97.6%) and high specificity at 500 and 1000 Hz (100%). When considering the pure‐tone average, uHear in a soundproof booth showed high sensitivity (94.7%) and specificity (90.7%), whereas, in a typical hearing environment, uHear showed poor sensitivity (34%) and high specificity (100%). CONCLUSION: uHear was accurate for hearing loss screening at 2000 Hz in a soundproof booth. However, uHear in a typical hearing environment lacked accuracy. The uHear application in a soundproof booth can be used to screen hearing loss in some situations where standard audiometry is impossible. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.