Validity of hearing screening using hearTest smartphone-based audiometry: performance evaluation of different...

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Digital Health
• Diagnostic Accuracy

Background:

• Conventional audiometry is the standard for hearing assessment.
• Smartphone-based audiometry offers a potential accessible alternative for hearing screening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of hearTest smartphone audiometry.
• To determine test duration for different response modes and hearing loss criteria.

Main Methods:

• Diagnostic accuracy study comparing hearTest with conventional audiometry.
• 340 participants (5-92 years) underwent both tests.
• Two response modes (self-test, test-operator) were assessed.

Main Results:

• hearTest demonstrated >90% sensitivity and specificity for disabling hearing loss in adults and children (self-test mode).
• High accuracy was observed for identifying any hearing loss in children and adults (self-test mode).
• Lower specificity was noted for identifying any hearing loss in adults using the test-operator mode.

Conclusions:

• Smartphone hearing screening with hearTest is accurate for disabling and any hearing loss in adults and children (self-test mode).
• The test-operator mode is suitable for children but less accurate for mild adult hearing loss.
• hearTest provides a valid and accessible tool for hearing screening.