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Derivation and Initial Validation of the Utility Function for the Hearing Utility Measure (HUM)
Peter R Dixon1, Justin Shapiro2, Theodore R McRackan1
1Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A.
The Laryngoscope
|June 20, 2024
Summary
The new Hearing Utility Measure (HUM) better captures hearing quality of life variations than the older Health Utilities Index, Mark 3 (HUI-3). This hearing attribute demonstrates improved responsiveness for utility estimates in hearing research.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Health Economics
- Quality of Life Research
Background:
- The Health Utilities Index, Mark 3 (HUI-3) is a standard measure for health utility estimation.
- Existing measures may lack responsiveness to subtle changes in hearing-related quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive the utility scoring function for the Hearing Utility Measure (HUM).
- To develop a more responsive hearing attribute for the HUI-3.
Main Methods:
- Standard gamble and visual analogue scale exercises were conducted with 126 Ontario residents (aged ≥18).
- A hearing utility function was generated using elicited valuations for hearing states.
- HUM-derived utility distributions were compared against legacy HUI-3 estimates.
Main Results:
- The HUM utility function accurately estimated directly elicited utilities (mean difference 0.03, RMSE 0.06).
- The HUM identified hearing utility variations in 52.4% of respondents, compared to 93.6% for the HUI-3 which showed near-perfect hearing for most.
Conclusions:
- The HUM is more sensitive to variations in hearing utility than the HUI-3, particularly for those with near-perfect hearing.
- The findings support the HUM's application and warrant further investigation into its measurement properties in hearing loss populations.
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