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Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Improving detection of adolescent hearing loss
Deepa L Sekhar1, Julie A Rhoades, Amy L Longenecker
1Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Dr, Mail Code HS83, Hershey, PA 17036, USA. dsekhar@hmc.psu.edu
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
|December 8, 2011
Summary
High-frequency pure-tone testing identifies more adolescent hearing loss than rapid screens. This method is crucial for detecting noise-induced hearing loss, which is preventable and increasingly common.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Public Health
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Adolescent hearing loss, particularly noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), is a growing public health concern.
- Current school hearing screenings may not adequately detect high-frequency hearing deficits.
- Notched audiometric configurations are indicative of high-frequency hearing loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare a high-frequency pure-tone threshold testing protocol with standard rapid hearing screening in adolescents.
- To identify typical adolescent noise exposures associated with notched audiometric configurations.
Main Methods:
- A pure-tone threshold testing protocol, including high frequencies, was administered alongside rapid hearing screening to eleventh-grade students.
- Students completed a survey on noise exposure.
- Audiometric results were reviewed by a single audiologist.
Main Results:
- 78 out of 296 (26.4%) students failed the pure-tone threshold test, compared to 15 (5.1%) who failed the rapid screen.
- The majority of failures on the pure-tone test (85.9%) were due to notched audiometric configurations.
- Headphone use with MP3 players was significantly linked to notched audiometric configurations.
Conclusions:
- High-frequency pure-tone testing is more effective than rapid screening for detecting adolescent hearing loss.
- Standard school hearing screens often miss high-frequency losses, including NIHL.
- A reliable school-based screening for high-frequency hearing loss is necessary due to increasing hazardous noise exposures.
