Assessing the accuracy and reliability of application-based audiometry for hearing evaluation

Pure-tone audiometry (PTA) is the gold standard for assessing hearing loss. However, traditional PTA tests require specialized equipment, trained personnel, and a soundproof environment. Recently, smartphone-based PTA tests have been developed as an alternative method for hearing assessment. The aim...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2024-03, Vol.14 (1), p.7359-7359, Article 7359
Main Authors: Lee, Seung Yeol, Seo, Hee Won, Jung, Seon Min, Lee, Seung Hwan, Chung, Jae Ho
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
692/308
692/699
692/700
Accuracy
Audiometry
Audiometry, Pure-Tone - methods
Auditory Threshold
Deafness
Ears & hearing
Hearing
Hearing loss
Hearing Loss - diagnosis
Hearing tests
Humanities and Social Sciences
Humans
multidisciplinary
Performance assessment
Reproducibility of Results
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Smartphones
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Pure-tone audiometry (PTA) is the gold standard for assessing hearing loss. However, traditional PTA tests require specialized equipment, trained personnel, and a soundproof environment. Recently, smartphone-based PTA tests have been developed as an alternative method for hearing assessment. The aim of this study was to validate the accuracy and reliability of a smartphone application-based audiometry test. This study was conducted to assess the performance of application-based audiometry from November 2021 to January 2022. Pure-tone thresholds were measured using a smartphone application-based PTA test and compared with results obtained using a traditional audiometer in a sound-treated booth. The smartphone application used in this study was the "Care4Ear (Care4ear, version 1.0.6, MIJ Co., Ltd.)". Hearing thresholds less than 35 dB HL were classified as group A, 35-64 dB HL as group B, and 65 dB HL or greater as group C for the classification of hearing levels. We evaluated the accuracy of smartphone audiometry for each group and compared the results of frequency-specific hearing tests. Additionally, we examined the results of smartphone audiometry in individuals (n = 27) with asymmetric hearing loss. Seventy subjects completed both conventional audiometry and smartphone application-based hearing tests. Among the ears assessed, 55.7% were classified as group A, while 25.7% and 18.6% were classified as group B and group C, respectively. The average hearing threshold obtained from conventional pure-tone audiometry was 37.7 ± 25.2 dB HL, whereas the application-based hearing test yielded thresholds of 21.0 ± 23.0 dB HL. A significant correlation (r = 0.69, p  
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-57944-9