Results obtained with a low cost software-based audiometer for hearing screening

Deborah Viviane Ferrari; Esteban Alejandro Lopez; Andrea Cintra Lopes; Camila Piccini Aiello; Pricila Reis Jokura

doi:10.7162/S1809-97772013000300005

International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology, Table of Contents

Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2013; 17(03): 257-264
DOI: 10.7162/S1809-97772013000300005

Original Article

Thieme Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Results obtained with a low cost software-based audiometer for hearing screening

Deborah Viviane Ferrari

¹PhD in Neuroscience and Behavior - Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo. Professor, Department of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. Dentistry School of Bauru - University of São Paulo.

,

Esteban Alejandro Lopez

²Clinical Engineer. Master in Biomedical Engineering - Favaloro University, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Favaloro University, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

,

Andrea Cintra Lopes

³PhD in Communication Disorders - University of São Paulo. Associate Professor, Department of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. Dentistry School of Bauru - University of São Paulo.

,

Camila Piccini Aiello

⁴Speech Language Pathologist and Audiologist. Graduate Student - Master in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. Dentistry School of Bauru - University of São Paulo.

,

Pricila Reis Jokura

⁵Speech Language Pathologist and Audiologist. Graduate Student - Master in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. Dentistry School of Bauru - University of São Paulo.

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

Introduction: The implementation of hearing screening programs can be facilitated by reducing operating costs, including the cost of equipment. The Telessaúde (TS) audiometer is a low-cost, software-based, and easy-to-use piece of equipment for conducting audiometric screening.

Aim: To evaluate the TS audiometer for conducting audiometric screening.

Methods: A prospective randomized study was performed. Sixty subjects, divided into those who did not have (group A, n = 30) and those who had otologic complaints (group B, n = 30), underwent audiometric screening with conventional and TS audiometers in a randomized order. Pure tones at 25 dB HL were presented at frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. A “fail” result was considered when the individual failed to respond to at least one of the stimuli. Pure-tone audiometry was also performed on all participants. The concordance of the results of screening with both audiometers was evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of screening with the TS audiometer were calculated.

Results: For group A, 100% of the ears tested passed the screening. For group B, “pass” results were obtained in 34.2% (TS) and 38.3% (conventional) of the ears tested. The agreement between procedures (TS vs. conventional) ranged from 93% to 98%. For group B, screening with the TS audiometer showed 95.5% sensitivity, 90.4% sensitivity, and positive and negative predictive values equal to 94.9% and 91.5%, respectively.

Conclusions: The results of the TS audiometer were similar to those obtained with the conventional audiometer, indicating that the TS audiometer can be used for audiometric screening.

Keywords

Hearing - Hearing Loss - Hearing Tests

Full Text

References

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