A Study on the IOS Application "uHear" As a Screening Tool for Hearing Loss in Bangkok

Overview

Journal Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol

Publisher Wiley

Specialty Otorhinolaryngology

Date 2023 Feb 27

PMID 36846435

Authors

Kanokrat Bunnag

Wikallaya Kaewsalubsri

Sirinan Junthong

Anan Kulthaveesup

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to compare the results of hearing tests performed using the uHear application with those of standard audiometry in Thai people in Bangkok.

Methods: From December 2018 to November 2019, a prospective observational study was conducted involving Thai participants aged between 18 and 80 years. All participants were tested using standard audiometry and the uHear application in a soundproof booth and in a typical hearing environment.

Results: This study included 52 participants (12 males and 40 females). The Bland-Altman plot with the Minimal Clinical Meaningful Difference of 10 dB between standard audiometry and the uHear in a soundproof booth found agreement at 2000 Hz. The uHear in a soundproof booth showed high sensitivity at all frequencies (82.5%-98.9%) and high specificity at 500 and 1000 Hz (85.7%-100%). uHear in a typical hearing environment showed high sensitivity at 4000 and 6000 Hz (97.6%) and high specificity at 500 and 1000 Hz (100%). When considering the pure-tone average, uHear in a soundproof booth showed high sensitivity (94.7%) and specificity (90.7%), whereas, in a typical hearing environment, uHear showed poor sensitivity (34%) and high specificity (100%).

Conclusion: uHear was accurate for hearing loss screening at 2000 Hz in a soundproof booth. However, uHear in a typical hearing environment lacked accuracy. The uHear application in a soundproof booth can be used to screen hearing loss in some situations where standard audiometry is impossible.

Level Of Evidence: II.

Citing Articles

A study on the IOS application "uHear" as a screening tool for hearing loss in Bangkok.

Bunnag K, Kaewsalubsri W, Junthong S, Kulthaveesup A Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol. 2023; 8(1):253-261.

PMID: 36846435 PMC: 9948572. DOI: 10.1002/lio2.996.

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