9-10 October 2015
Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C.
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Abstract Details
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10/09/2015 |
8:30 AM - 9:45 AM | Technology
| Andrew Foster Auditorium
Clinical validity of hearScreen™ smartphone hearing screening for school children
Background
In developing countries and even in some developed countries, school-entry hearing screening, if available, may be the first point of access for screening (Bamford et al. 2007; Theunissen & Swanepoel 2008). However, effective implementation of school-based hearing screening presents a number of significant challenges (Madriz 2001; McPherson & Olusanya 2008).
The cost of hearing screening can be prohibitive due to the expense of audiometric equipment and the requirement for trained personnel to conduct the screening. Furthermore, school-based hearing screening usually takes place in an enclosed, unoccupied, furnished room where ambient noise levels often exceed permissible levels. Using smartphones as screening audiometers with headphones calibrated according to prescribed standards with real-time feedback on ambient noise levels allowing frequencies to be retested can be a possible solution.
Learned objectives
The study aimed to determine the validity of a smartphone hearing screening technology (hearScreenTM) compared to manual conventional screening audiometry in terms of (1) sensitivity and specificity, (2) referral rate and (3) test time.
Design
1070 school-aged children in grade 1 to 3 (8 ±1.1 average years) were recruited. Children were screened twice, once using conventional audiometry and once with the smartphone hearing screening.
Results
No statistically significant difference in performance between techniques was noted, with smartphone screening demonstrating equivalent sensitivity (75.0%) to conventional screening audiometry, with specificity slightly higher (98.5%) than conventional screening audiometry (97.0%). Whilst referral rates were lower with the smartphone screening (3.2 vs. 4.6%) it was not significantly different (p>0.01). Smartphone screening (hearScreen™) was 12.3% faster than conventional screening.
Conclusion
Smartphone hearing screening using the hearScreen™ application is accurate and time-efficient. Utilizing off-the-shelf hardware means it is an inexpensive solution that can be used by lay persons with limited training due to automated test sequences and interpretation.
- The study aimed to determine the validity of a smartphone hearing screening technology (hearScreenTM) compared to manual conventional screening audiometry in terms of (1) sensitivity and specificity
- The study aimed to determine the validity of a smartphone hearing screening technology (hearScreenTM) compared to manual conventional screening audiometry in terms of (2) referral rate
- The study aimed to determine the validity of a smartphone hearing screening technology (hearScreenTM) compared to manual conventional screening audiometry in terms of (3) test time.
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Faheema Mahomed-Asmail (Primary Presenter,Author), University of Pretoria, faheema.mahomed@up.ac.za;
Faheema Mahomed-Asmail is a lecturer and clinical research audiologist at the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa. Her research and clinical interests are in the field of telehealth and early identification and diagnosis of school-aged hearing loss, including screening, diagnostic assessment, the use of mobile technology and automated testing. She completed her masters degree in 2013 (Cum Laude) and won the research masters degree prize, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria. Faheema is completed her PhD in school-based hearing screening and diagnosis. She has also published in peer-reviewed journals and is a reviewer for international and local Journals.
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ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
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AAA DISCLOSURE:
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De Wet Swanepoel (Author,Co-Author), University of Pretoria, Pretoria , South Africa; Ear Sciences Centre, School of Surgery , The University of Western Australia, Nedlands , Australia; Ear Science Institute Australia , Subiaco , Australia; Callier Center for Communication Disorders , University of Texas at Dallas , USA, dewet.swanepoel@up.ac.za;
De Wet Swanepoel is professor in audiology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa and a senior research fellow at the Ear Science Institute Australia with adjunct positions at the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Western Australia. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, books and book chapters and has received numerous awards in recognition of his work. His research capitalises on the growth in information and communication technologies to explore, develop and evaluate innovative solutions to improve access to ear and hearing health care. He is lead inventor of the award winning and patented hearScreenTM smartphone hearing test. Prof Swanepoel also serves as associate editor for the International Journal of Audiology, as president-elect for the International Society of Audiology and as co-chair for the telehealth task force of the American Academy of Audiology.
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AAA DISCLOSURE:
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Robert Eikelboom (Co-Author), University of Pretoria, Pretoria , South Africa; Ear Sciences Centre, School of Surgery , The University of Western Australia, Nedlands , Australia; Ear Science Institute Australia , Subiaco , Australia., rob.eikelboom@uwa.edu;
Adj Prof Rob Eikelboom is a bio-engineer who has been involved in medical research for 20 years. His primary interests is in telehealth as a tool to improve the access of people in rural and remote areas to medical specialists. He has led the development of AurisView, telehealth software that collates, stores and manages telehealth data. It is currently in use in a number of centres in Australia. He was recently awarded a $515,000 grant to develop a hearing loss prevention programme for users of personal music players, such as iPods. His research and clinical interests are telehealth and telemedicine, computer aided diagnosis, remote area primary health, hearing loss prevention.
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Herman Myburgh (Author,Co-Author), University of Pretoria, herman.myburgh@up.ac.za;
Hermanus C. Myburgh, PhD, is a senior lecturer and Computer Engineer in the Department of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, University of Pretoria, South Africa. His research interests are in the fields of digital signal processing, machine learning and sensor fusion, detection and estimation, error-correction coding and channel equalisation in wireless communication systems. He has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, and has presented his work at various international conferences. He is also a co-inventor of the hearScreen smartphone-based hearing screening device.
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James Hall (Co-Author), Salus University, jwhall3phd@gmail.com;
James W. Hall III, PhD is an internationally recognized audiologist with 40-years of clinical, teaching, research, and administrative experience. He received his Bachelor's degree in Biology from American International University, his Master's degree in Speech Pathology from Northwestern University, and his Ph.D. in audiology from Baylor College of Medicine under the direction of James Jerger. Dr. Hall has held clinical and academic positions at major medical centers and leadership roles in the American Academy of Audiology. He is the author of over 190 peer-reviewed publications, invited articles, book chapters and also 10 textbooks. Clinical and research interests include early diagnosis of infant hearing loss, auditory processing disorders, tinnitus, best practices, and audiology applications of tele-health. Dr. Hall holds academic appointments as Professor (part-time) at Salus University and the University of Hawaii, a position as Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria South Africa.
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AAA DISCLOSURE:
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