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A Multicenter Validity Study of Four Smartphone Hearing Test Apps in Optimized and Home Environments
Chloe Swords1,2, Emmanuel Twumasi1, Maisie Fitzgerald1
1Department of Otology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
The Laryngoscope
|January 12, 2024
Summary
Smartphone apps can accurately assess hearing thresholds at home, offering a valid and feasible alternative to traditional pure tone audiometry (PTA). This technology enables remote monitoring and screening for hearing loss.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Digital Health
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Pure tone audiometry (PTA) is the standard for hearing assessment but requires specialized equipment.
- Smartphone applications offer potential for automated, self-administered hearing screening and monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the validity and feasibility of smartphone apps for self-assessing hearing thresholds at home.
- To compare home-based app results with in-clinic pure tone audiometry.
Main Methods:
- A multi-center, prospective randomized study involved 139 participants using four different smartphone audiometry apps.
- Participants performed tests in sound-treated conditions and at home, comparing results to standard PTA.
- Patient acceptability was assessed via an online survey.
Main Results:
- Two of the four apps demonstrated strong correlation with PTA, with median thresholds within ±10 dB accuracy.
- Home-based and sound-treated app results showed very strong correlation.
- 90% of participants found the apps easy to use and would use them for monitoring.
Conclusions:
- Self-performed smartphone audiometry is valid and feasible for select apps.
- This technology can provide frequency-specific threshold estimates remotely, aiding in monitoring fluctuating hearing loss.
