-
American Journal of Audiology Jun 2023The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between self-reported hearing handicap and life-space mobility utilizing the Life-Space Questionnaire (LSQ)....
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between self-reported hearing handicap and life-space mobility utilizing the Life-Space Questionnaire (LSQ). Life-space mobility reflects how an individual moves through their daily physical and social environment, and the role of hearing loss in life-space mobility is not fully understood. We hypothesized that those with higher self-reported hearing handicap would be more likely to demonstrate restricted life-space mobility.
METHOD
A total of 189 older adults ( = 75.76 years, = 5.81) completed a mail-in survey packet including the LSQ and Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE). Participants were categorized into one of three groups ("no/none," "mild/moderate," or "severe" hearing handicap) according to HHIE total score. LSQ responses were dichotomized to either "nonrestricted/typical" or "restricted" life-space mobility groups. Logistic regression models were performed to analyze life-space mobility differences among the groups.
RESULTS
Logistic regression results demonstrated no statistically significant association between hearing handicap and LSQ.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that there is no association between self-reported hearing handicap and life-space mobility as evaluated using a mail-in version of the LSQ. This counters other studies that have demonstrated that life space is associated with chronic illness, cognitive functioning, and social and health integration.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Hearing; Hearing Loss; Hearing Tests; Surveys and Questionnaires; Self Report
PubMed: 37059051
DOI: 10.1044/2023_AJA-22-00052 -
Ear and Hearing 2021To identify predictors of the 5-year uptake of hearing aids (HAs) and hearing assistive technology (HAT) in a sample of Dutch employees eligible for HAs and/or HAT. The...
OBJECTIVE
To identify predictors of the 5-year uptake of hearing aids (HAs) and hearing assistive technology (HAT) in a sample of Dutch employees eligible for HAs and/or HAT. The potential predictors included demographic factors (age, sex, marital status, and living situation), education, hearing factors (ability to recognize speech in noise and self-reported hearing disability), distress, self-efficacy, and work-related factors (job demand, job control, and need for recovery).
DESIGN
Five-year follow-up data of the Netherlands Longitudinal Study on Hearing (NL-SH) collected until January 2019 were included. An online digit-triplet in noise test, the National Hearing Test (NHT), was used to assess speech-recognition-in-noise ability. In addition, online questionnaires on demographic, socioeconomic, self-reported hearing disability, health, and work-related characteristics were administered. Adults who worked over 12 hours per week, who had not yet taken up HAs or HAT, but who would be eligible for HAs/HAT based on their NHT score (insufficient or poor hearing ability), were included in the study. The 5-year uptake of HAs/HAT was defined as a dichotomous variable of self-reported HA/HAT use reported 5 years later. Generalized Estimating Equations analyses were performed to analyze the associations between potential predicting factors and the 5-year uptake of HAs/HAT, taking into account the repeated measurements of the predicting factors and the 5-year uptake of HAs/HAT.
RESULTS
Data of 218 participants were included. The cumulative incidence of the 5-year uptake of HAs/HAT was 15 to 33%, of which 52 employees took up HAs and 11 employees took up HAT. Married participants had increased odds for 5-year uptake of HAs/HAT compared with unmarried participants (odds ratio [OR] = 2.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05 to 4.35). Higher self-reported hearing disability (per one unit, scale range 0 to 74) was associated with increased odds for 5-year uptake of HAs/HAT (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.07). Job demand showed a significant interaction with sex (p = 0.002), and therefore, stratified analyses were performed. In male participants, participants with higher job demand scores (per one unit, scale range 12 to 48) had increased odds for 5-year uptake of HAs/HAT (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.35). No difference was seen in females.
CONCLUSION
This study confirms that factors predicting the uptake of HAs/HAT in the general or older populations, including marital status and self-reported hearing disability, also extend to the working population. The identification of job demand as a predictor of the uptake of HAs/HAT (in males only) was a novel finding. It demonstrates the importance of considering work-related factors in aural rehabilitation.
Topics: Adult; Female; Hearing; Hearing Aids; Hearing Loss; Hearing Tests; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Netherlands; Self-Help Devices; Speech Perception
PubMed: 33974788
DOI: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000000983 -
Ear and Hearing 2022The digits-in-noise test (DIN) is a popular self-test measure that has traditionally been used to screen for hearing loss by providing either a pass or refer result....
OBJECTIVES
The digits-in-noise test (DIN) is a popular self-test measure that has traditionally been used to screen for hearing loss by providing either a pass or refer result. Standard approaches either tested each ear monaurally or used a binaural diotic version where identical digits and noise were presented simultaneously to both ears. Recently, a dichotic, antiphasic version was developed, increasing sensitivity of the DIN to unilateral or asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and conductive hearing loss (CHL). The purpose of this study was to determine predictors and normative ranges of the antiphasic and diotic DIN and to determine if a combination of diotic and antiphasic DIN could accurately categorize hearing into (1) normal, (2) bilateral SNHL, or (3) unilateral SNHL or CHL.
DESIGN
The analytical sample consisted of 489 participants between the ages of 18 and 92 years with varying types, symmetry, and degrees of hearing loss. Degree and type of hearing loss were determined based on standard clinical four-frequency (0.5-4 kHz) pure-tone air and bone conduction threshold averages. The sample consisted of bilateral normal hearing (n = 293), bilateral SNHL (n = 172), unilateral SNHL (n = 42), and CHL (n = 32). All participants (n = 489) first completed an antiphasic DIN (digit stimuli 180° out-of-phase between ears), while 393 of the sample also completed a diotic DIN. Two procedures were assessed for their ability to categorize hearing into one of the three hearing groups. The first used a fixed antiphasic cutoff combined with a cutoff formed by a linear combination of antiphasic and diotic speech recognition threshold (SRT) or binaural intelligibility-level difference.
RESULTS
Poorer ear pure-tone average was the strongest predictor of antiphasic DIN score, whereas better ear pure-tone average explained more of the variance in diotic SRT. The antiphasic DIN sensitivity and specificity was 90% and 84%, respectively, for detecting hearing loss, with outstanding area under the receiver operating characteristics values exceeding 0.93 to identify hearing loss in the poorer ear. The first fixed SRT cutoff procedure could categorize 75% of all participants correctly, while the second procedure increased correct categorization to 79%. False negative rates for both procedures were below 10%.
CONCLUSIONS
A sequential antiphasic and diotic DIN could categorize hearing to a reasonable degree into three groups of (1) normal hearing; (2) bilateral SNHL; and (3) unilateral asymmetric SNHL or CHL. This type of approach could optimize care pathways using remote and contactless testing, by identifying unilateral SNHL and CHL as cases requiring medical referral. In contrast, bilateral SNHL cases could be referred directly to an audiologist, or nontraditional models like OTC hearing aids.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Deafness; Hearing; Hearing Loss, Bilateral; Hearing Loss, Conductive; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Hearing Tests; Humans; Middle Aged; Noise; Triage; Young Adult
PubMed: 34799493
DOI: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001160 -
European Archives of... Feb 2023This study aimed to determine hearing thresholds in an otologically normal population without occupational noise exposure aged 18 to 64 years using extended...
PURPOSE
This study aimed to determine hearing thresholds in an otologically normal population without occupational noise exposure aged 18 to 64 years using extended high-frequency audiometry (EHFA).
METHODS
Individuals from the general population who have never had hearing problems and whose job was not associated with noise exposure were included in the study and classified by age into 5 categories: 18-24 and, further, by 10 years of age. Each of these groups was further divided according to gender. All subjects underwent tympanometry, conventional pure-tone audiometry within the 0.125-8 kHz range, and extended high-frequency audiometry within the 9-16 kHz range, performed according to the standards. The significance level for statistical testing was set at 5%.
RESULTS
Here, we established hearing thresholds in an otologically healthy population within the extended high-frequency (EHF) range (9-16 kHz). We found the EHFA to be a highly sensitive method for early detection of hearing loss, with hearing thresholds decreasing as soon as 35 years of age. In males, the hearing thresholds grew with age more rapidly than in women. The ability to respond at EHF gradually decreased with age and increasing frequency.
CONCLUSION
Our results can help improve the knowledge of EHF hearing thresholds for individual sexes and age groups. So far, the standard 7029:2017 is not binding and, moreover, it only reaches up to the frequency of 12.5 kHz. EHFA is a highly sensitive method for the evaluation of hearing loss depending on age and sex.
Topics: Male; Adult; Humans; Female; Child; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Hearing; Hearing Loss; Acoustic Impedance Tests; Deafness; Auditory Threshold; Audiometry; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced
PubMed: 35763083
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-022-07498-1 -
Trends in Hearing 2021Stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs) can be useful tools for assessing cochlear function noninvasively. However, there is a lack of reports describing their...
Stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs) can be useful tools for assessing cochlear function noninvasively. However, there is a lack of reports describing their utility in predicting hearing capabilities. Data for model training were collected from 245 and 839 ears with normal hearing and sensorineural hearing loss, respectively. Based on SFOAEs, this study developed an objective assessment system consisting of three mutually independent modules, with the routine test module and the fast test module used for threshold prediction and the hearing screening module for identifying hearing loss. Results evaluated via cross-validation show that the routine test module and the fast test module predict hearing thresholds with similar performance from 0.5 to 8 kHz, with mean absolute errors of 7.06-11.61 dB for the routine module and of 7.40-12.60 dB for the fast module. However, the fast module involves less test time than is needed in the routine module. The hearing screening module identifies hearing status with a large area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.912-0.985), high accuracy (88.4-95.9%), and low false negative rate (2.9-7.0%) at 0.5-8 kHz. The three modules are further validated on unknown data, and the results are similar to those obtained through cross-validation, indicating these modules can be well generalized to new data. Both the routine module and fast module are potential tools for predicting hearing thresholds. However, their prediction performance in ears with hearing loss requires further improvement to facilitate their clinical utility. The hearing screening module shows promise as a clinical tool for identifying hearing loss.
Topics: Auditory Threshold; Deafness; Hearing; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Hearing Tests; Humans; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous
PubMed: 34817273
DOI: 10.1177/23312165211059628 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Mar 2020Globally, access to hearing health care is a growing concern with 900 million people estimated to suffer from disabling hearing loss by 2050. Hearing loss is one of the...
BACKGROUND
Globally, access to hearing health care is a growing concern with 900 million people estimated to suffer from disabling hearing loss by 2050. Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic health conditions, yet access to hearing health care is limited. Incorporating Web-based (voice calling, messaging, or emailing) service delivery into current treatment pathways could improve access and allow for better scalability of services. Current electronic health studies in audiology have focused on technical feasibility, sensitivity, and specificity of diagnostic hearing testing and not on patient satisfaction, experiences, and sustainable models along the entire patient journey.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate a hybrid (Web-based and face-to-face) hearing health service in terms of uptake, experience, and satisfaction in adult patients with hearing loss.
METHODS
A nonprofit hearing research clinic using online and face-to-face services was implemented in Durban, South Africa, using online recruitment from the clinic's Facebook page and Google AdWords, which directed persons to an online Web-based hearing screening test. Web-based and face-to-face care pathways included assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation. To evaluate the service, an online survey comprising (1) a validated satisfaction measurement tool (Short Assessment of Patient Satisfaction), (2) a process evaluation of all the 5 steps completed, and (3) personal preferences of communication methods used vs methods preferred was conducted, which was sent to 46 patients who used clinic services.
RESULTS
Of the patients invited, 67% (31/46) completed the survey with mean age 66 years, (SD 16). Almost all patients, 92% (30/31) reported that the online screening test assisted them in seeking hearing health care. Approximately 60% (18/31) of the patients accessed the online hearing screening test from an Android device. Patients stayed in contact with the audiologist mostly through WhatsApp instant messaging (27/31, 87%), and most patients (25/31, 81%) preferred to use this method of communication. The patients continuing with hearing health care were significantly older and had significantly poorer speech recognition abilities compared with the patients who discontinued seeking hearing health care. A statistically significant positive result (P=.007) was found between age and the number of appointments per patient. Around 61% (19/31) of patients previously completed diagnostic testing at other practices, with 95% (18/19) rating the services at the hybrid clinic as better. The net promoter score was 87, indicating that patients were highly likely to recommend the hybrid clinic to friends and family.
CONCLUSIONS
This study applied Web-based and face-to-face components into a hybrid clinic and measured an overall positive experience with high patient satisfaction through a process evaluation. The findings support the potential of a hybrid clinic with synchronous and asynchronous modes of communication to be a scalable hearing health care model, addressing the needs of adults with hearing loss globally.
Topics: Aged; Female; Hearing Tests; Humans; Internet; Male; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Patient Satisfaction; Process Assessment, Health Care; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 32196459
DOI: 10.2196/15875 -
European Archives of... Jan 2022In most cases, tinnitus co-exists with hearing loss, suggesting that poorer speech understanding is simply due to a lack of acoustic information reaching the central...
PURPOSE
In most cases, tinnitus co-exists with hearing loss, suggesting that poorer speech understanding is simply due to a lack of acoustic information reaching the central nervous system (CNS). However, it also happens that patients with tinnitus who have normal hearing also report problems with speech understanding, and it is possible to suppose that tinnitus is to blame for difficulties in perceptual processing of auditory information. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the auditory processing abilities of normally hearing subjects with and without tinnitus.
METHODS
The study group comprised 97 adults, 54 of whom had normal hearing and chronic tinnitus (the study group) and 43 who had normal hearing and no tinnitus (the control group). The audiological assessment comprised pure-tone audiometry and high-frequency pure-tone audiometry, impedance audiometry, and distortion product oto-acoustic emission assessment. To evaluate possible auditory processing deficits, the Frequency Pattern Test (FPT), Duration Pattern Test (DPT), Dichotic Listening Test (DLT), and Gap Detection Threshold (GDT) tests were performed.
RESULTS
The tinnitus subjects had significantly lower scores than the controls in the gap detection test (p < 0.01) and in the dichotic listening test (p < 0.001), but only for the right ear. The results for both groups were similar in the temporal ordering tests (FPT and DPT). Right-ear advantage (REA) was found for the controls, but not for the tinnitus subjects.
CONCLUSION
In normally hearing patients, the presence of tinnitus may be accompanied with auditory processing difficulties.
Topics: Adult; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Auditory Perception; Auditory Threshold; Hearing; Humans; Psychoacoustics; Tinnitus
PubMed: 34363504
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-021-07023-w -
Practical Neurology Feb 2020The tuning fork tests have been under attack since their first use in clinical examination. However, the tuning fork is small and fits into every white coat, and tuning... (Review)
Review
The tuning fork tests have been under attack since their first use in clinical examination. However, the tuning fork is small and fits into every white coat, and tuning fork tests for hearing are easy, accurate and inexpensive. They should be used in patients with an acute unilateral hearing loss if an electric audiometer is not available. After more than 100 years, the tuning fork is not obsolete; tuning fork tests are very useful if used correctly and for the appropriate indication.
Topics: Audiometry; Diagnostic Equipment; Hearing Loss, Sudden; Hearing Tests; Humans
PubMed: 31444233
DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2019-002350 -
American Journal of Audiology Sep 2020Purpose This study investigated user characteristics, help-seeking behavior, and follow-up actions of people who failed an app-based digits-in-noise hearing screening...
Purpose This study investigated user characteristics, help-seeking behavior, and follow-up actions of people who failed an app-based digits-in-noise hearing screening test, considering their stage of change. Method Test and user characteristics of 3,092 listeners who failed the test were retrospectively analyzed. A posttest survey determining follow-up (verb) actions was sent to listeners who failed the test ( = 1,007), of which 59 responded. Results The majority of listeners were in the precontemplation stage (75.5%). Age and stage of change were significant ( < .05) predictors of the digits-in-noise speech recognition threshold (DIN SRT). Listeners in the precontemplation stage were significantly younger than in other stages ( < .05). Posttest survey response rate was low (5.9%). Of those, most (82.4%) did not think they had a hearing loss. Only 13.6% followed up with an audiologist. Conclusion Older people presented with poorer DIN SRTs and were typically in a more advanced stage of change. The majority of those who did not follow up after failing the screening test did not believe they had a hearing loss. A combination of factors, including poor DIN SRT, older age, and a more advanced stage of change inclined participants to follow up with audiological care.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hearing Loss; Hearing Tests; Help-Seeking Behavior; Humans; Male; Mass Screening; Middle Aged; Mobile Applications; Noise; Self-Testing; South Africa; Speech Reception Threshold Test; Transtheoretical Model; Young Adult
PubMed: 32510970
DOI: 10.1044/2020_AJA-19-00098 -
Clinical Interventions in Aging 2020The present study aimed to identify the reliability and validity of a screening tool for the elderly who wish to check their level of hearing loss by themselves.
OBJECTIVE
The present study aimed to identify the reliability and validity of a screening tool for the elderly who wish to check their level of hearing loss by themselves.
DESIGN
A total of 170 older adults with different hearing levels participated. The Self-Assessment for Hearing Screening of the Elderly-Revised (SHSE-R) consisted of 20 questions measured on a 5-point scale and developed in terms of characteristics of age-related hearing loss. For reliability, the subjects responded to SHSE-R twice with a three-week interval. They also took various subjective and objective hearing tests and a working memory test and filled out two other questionnaires for validation.
RESULTS
SHSE-R showed a high internal consistency and a high reliability when comparing test-retest scores. Its content validity was as high as 0.88-1. Convergent validity supported SHSE-R and its subcategories while showing either a positive or negative correlation with pure-tone average, word recognition scores, and otoacoustic emission tests. Construct validity was proved by a moderate negative correlation with the tests of speech in noise, speech with fast speed, and working memory. In criterion validity, a strong positive correlation existed between SHSE-R and the other questionnaires, except for a group with severe hearing loss. The factor analysis showed similar results to the original version of SHSE having three factors, although some items were interchanged.
CONCLUSION
We confirmed that SHSE-R was well developed with both excellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability and valuable convergent, construct, and criterion validities, consequently making SHSE-R useful for self-checking hearing loss in the elderly.
Topics: Aged; Diagnostic Self Evaluation; Female; Geriatric Assessment; Hearing Loss; Hearing Tests; Humans; Male; Mass Screening; Memory, Short-Term; Quality of Life; Reproducibility of Results; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 32021135
DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S238053