Development and evaluation of a novel user-operated slider-based audiometry method

To evaluate a novel user-operated audiometry method allowing users full control in determining their pure-tone hearing thresholds.

Comparative study. Participants were recruited from a hearing clinic after undergoing manual audiometry (six frequencies). They then performed test-retests of a new test (slider audiometry, eight frequencies) and completed the System Usability Scale questionnaire.

37 adult participants, including 30 hearing-impaired and seven normal-hearing individuals.

Mean (SD) threshold differences for octave frequencies between 250 to 2000 Hz between manual and slider audiometry ranged from -7.8 (6.6) to -5.7 (6.5) dB and were significant. For 4000 and 8000 Hz mean differences were -0.3 (8.4) and 0.0 (9.7) dB and insignificant. Standard deviations ranged from 6.5 to 9.7 dB across six tested frequencies. Slider test-retest mean threshold differences ranged from -1.4 (4.7) to 0.3 (6.0) dB across eight tested frequencies, with standard deviations ranging from 4.1 to 8.5 dB. The average usability score for the slider audiometry was 88.3.

When compared to manual audiometry, the slider audiometry demonstrated validity at 4000 and 8000 Hz but found significantly lower thresholds for octave frequencies between 250 to 2000 Hz. Test-retests of the new method revealed small mean differences and acceptable SDs.