Kids are not just small adults: An attempt to validate pediatric tablet-based digits in noise testing

The objective of this study is to investigate whether conductive hearing loss (CHL) can be differentiated from sensorineural hearing loss in children ages 3-18 using a diotic and antiphasic digits-in-noise (DIN) tablet-based test using existing adult cut-off criteria.

A blinded multi-institutional prospective cohort of 64 children aged 3-18 scheduled for an audiometric soundbooth evaluation with a pediatric audiologist and a same-day otolaryngologist examination were recruited for the study. Following a conventional audiogram, the subjects underwent diotic (same-phased stimuli) and antiphasic (out-of-phase stimuli) DIN testing on a HearX Samsung Galaxy tablet with over-the-ear headphones, for a total of 128 measurements. DIN test results were compared with soundbooth audiometry using known adult "cut off criteria."

A logistic regression analysis adjusted for demographics (age, sex) and race was performed to compare CHL determination from DIN testing to CHL determination with soundbooth audiometry. The results showed 50% agreement with a p-value of .753. The determinations based on combined DIN testing agreed with each other 33% of the time and had a p-value of .373. Otologic pathology and age were not predictive of outcome.

This preliminary analysis of DIN testing indicated that DIN and audiometric testing completed in a soundbooth were not significantly predictive of one another in the population of children aged 3-18 when using the adult cut-off criteria for CHL differentiation. Given these findings, further testing is required in children to determine pediatric specific cut-off values.