Validation Study of Kids Hearing Game: A Self-Administered Pediatric Audiology Application
Brian Kung1, Larisa Kunda1, Sarah Groff2
1Department of Head and Neck Surgery,Kaiser Permanente, Union City, CA.
Objective:
Conduct a comparison study between conventional audiometry and a tablet-based hearing screening application, Kids Hearing Game (KHG). If KHG measures hearing at levels comparable with conventional audiometry, it could be used to screen hearing in children.
Methods:
Prospective equivalence study where measurements of pure tone hearing via KHG are compared with measurements of pure tone hearing via conventional audiometry in patients aged 6-11 years over a 4-month period. Eighteen patients completed the study. Results from 36 ears were included in the data for analysis. Decibel measurements from each frequency measured with KHG for each ear were compared with conventional audiometry. Mean measurements were calculated for each ear and frequency as well as mean differences in measurements at each ear and frequency. Tests of equivalence were used to assess mean within-subject differences in decibel measurements using a 10-dB zone of indifference.
Results:
Mean decibel measurements using KHG for the right ear at 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 Hz and the left ear at 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 Hz were found equivalent to conventional audiometry (p < 0.050). The mean decibel measurement using KHG for the left ear at 500 Hz was found not equivalent (p = 0.101). However, when left and right ear data were analyzed together, KHG was found to be equivalent to conventional audiometry across all frequencies. Eight patients having hearing loss greater than 25 dB on conventional audiometry were also identified by KHG to have hearing loss.
Conclusion:
KHG is comparable to conventional audiometry and may be used as a screening tool for children.
