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Diagnostic pure-tone audiometry in schools: mobile testing without a sound-treated environment
De Wet Swanepoel1, Felicity Maclennan-Smith2, James W Hall2
1Department of Communication Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa; Ear Sciences Centre, School of Surgery, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia; Ear Science Institute Australia, Subiaco, Australia.
Diagnostic pure-tone audiometry is feasible in schools without sound-treated rooms using specialized equipment. This approach ensures accurate hearing assessments for children, improving early detection and intervention for hearing impairments.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Diagnostic Technology
Background:
- Traditional pure-tone audiometry requires sound-treated environments, often unavailable in schools.
- School-based hearing screenings are crucial for early identification of hearing loss in children.
- Challenges exist in ensuring accurate results and timely follow-up in school settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate diagnostic pure-tone audiometry in non-sound-treated school environments.
- To assess the efficacy of specialized audiometers with insert earphones and noise monitoring.
- To determine if on-site audiological diagnosis is a viable alternative to traditional methods.
Main Methods:
- A within-subject repeated measures design compared hearing thresholds in natural school settings versus sound-treated booths.
- Air and bone conduction thresholds were measured across various frequencies (250-8000 Hz for air, 250-4000 Hz for bone).
- 149 children aged 5-8 years participated in the study.
Main Results:
- Minimal average differences (0.0-0.1 dB) were found between natural and booth environments for air and bone conduction thresholds.
- High agreement (96-97%) was observed for threshold comparisons within 0-5 dB between environments.
- No statistically significant differences were detected in thresholds recorded in either setting (p > 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Diagnostic pure-tone audiometry can be effectively conducted in schools without sound-treated rooms.
- Sufficient earphone attenuation and real-time noise monitoring are key to accurate results.
- On-site audiological diagnosis can improve screening accuracy, reduce false-positive referrals, and enhance intervention compliance.
