Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026
08:01
A Web Tool for Generating High Quality Machine-readable Biological Pathways
Published on: February 8, 2017
18.5K
Quality and Readability of English-Language Internet Information for Tinnitus
Vinaya Manchaiah1,2,3,4, Ashley L Dockens1, Ashley Flagge1
1Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX.
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology
|November 22, 2018
Summary
Internet information on tinnitus is highly variable in quality and readability. Most websites require a college education to understand, hindering accessibility for many patients seeking health information online.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Medical Communication
- Internet Studies
Background:
- The internet is a primary source for health information.
- Ensuring content readability is crucial for public health literacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the quality and readability of online tinnitus information.
- To assess the accessibility of health content for diverse literacy levels.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 134 English-language websites on tinnitus.
- Assessed website origin, quality (HON, DISCERN), and readability (Flesch, Gunning Fog).
- Searched using keywords like 'tinnitus' and 'ringing in the ear' in August 2016.
Main Results:
- Website quality and readability were highly variable.
- Only 13.5% of sites had Health On the Net (HON) certification.
- Most tinnitus websites required a 10th-12th grade reading level, exceeding recommended standards.
Conclusions:
- Significant variability exists in online tinnitus information quality.
- There is a need for more user-friendly health websites.
- Web developers and clinicians should improve accessibility for low-literacy individuals.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:16Language
913
Language is a unique communication system that uses words and systematic rules to organize and transmit information. Unlike other forms of communication, which may involve postures, movements, odors, or vocalizations, language relies on symbols and grammar. This makes human communication distinct from that of other species, who also communicate but do not use language in the same way humans do.
Corballis and Suddendorf (2007) and Tomasello and Rakoczy (2003) highlight the role of language in...
Corballis and Suddendorf (2007) and Tomasello and Rakoczy (2003) highlight the role of language in...
913
01:24Components of Language
823
Language, whether spoken, signed, or written, consists of specific components: lexicon and grammar. The lexicon is the vocabulary of a language, comprising its words. Grammar is the set of rules used to convey meaning through the lexicon. For example, English grammar adds “-ed” to most verbs to indicate past tense. Words are formed by combining phonemes, which are the basic sound units of a language. Different languages have different sets of phonemes (e.g., “ah” vs.
823
01:22Language Development
913
Children master language quickly and with relative ease, supported by both biological predisposition and reinforcement. B. F. Skinner (1957) proposed that language is learned through reinforcement, while Noam Chomsky (1965) argued that language acquisition mechanisms are biologically determined.
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
913
01:27Language and Cognition
799
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
799
01:10Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
3.8K
Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
3.8K
01:05Quality Control
2.5K
Quality control is one of the three cyclical quality assurance activities that help keep a system under statistical control. Typical quality control activities include creating quality control charts, conducting proficiency testing, and documenting and archiving results.
Quality control helps track data, visualize trends, and identify variations, making it easier to detect deviations that may affect the accuracy of an analysis. One way to do this is by generating a quality control chart, which...
Quality control helps track data, visualize trends, and identify variations, making it easier to detect deviations that may affect the accuracy of an analysis. One way to do this is by generating a quality control chart, which...
2.5K