An Initial Validation of Community-Based Air-Conduction Audiometry in Adults With Simulated Hearing Impairment Using a New Web App, DigiBel: Validation Study
An Initial Validation of Community-Based Air-Conduction Audiometry in Adults With Simulated Hearing Impairment Using a New Web App, DigiBel: Validation Study
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DOI：
10.2196/51770
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发表时间：
2023-08
影响因子：
2.2
通讯作者：
Anna Sienko;A. J. Thirunavukarasu;Tanya Kuzmich;Louise Allen
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Anna Sienko;A. J. Thirunavukarasu;Tanya Kuzmich;Louise Allen
在美国和欧洲，大约80%的小学生经历过胶耳，这可能会损害他们在语言习得和社会发展的关键时期的听力。开发了一款基于网络的应用程序DigiBel，主要用于识别传导性听力障碍患者，这些患者可能会从社区中暂时使用骨传导辅助技术中受益。目的本初步研究旨在确定在正式临床验证之前，DigiBel自评空气传导（AC）纯音听力学对成年模拟听力障碍志愿者的筛查准确性和可用性。方法在安静的社区环境中，健康成人每只耳塞一只耳，进行自动交流纯音测听（参考测试）和DigiBel测听。对6个音调频率的阈值测量进行比较，并计算DigiBel测试-重测可靠性。对DigiBel检测20 dB以上听力损伤的准确性进行了评估。共有30名成年人（30只耳塞和30只耳塞）完成了两项听力测试。结果DigiBel检测听力障碍的灵敏度为100% (95% CI 87.23 ~ 100)，特异性为72.73% （95% CI 54.48 ~ 86.70）。阈值平均偏差不显著，但在4000和8000hz时发现了阈值测量的小但显著的高估。所有完成反馈的24名参与者都将DigiBel测试评为“好”或“优秀”，21名（88%）参与者同意或强烈同意他们可以在没有帮助的情况下在家完成测试。结论：本研究支持DigiBel作为听力障碍筛查工具的潜在应用。在对疑似传导性听力障碍的个体进行AC和骨传导测听的正式临床试验之前，研究结果将用于进一步改进软件。
Background Approximately 80% of primary school children in the United States and Europe experience glue ear, which may impair hearing at a critical time for speech acquisition and social development. A web-based app, DigiBel, has been developed primarily to identify individuals with conductive hearing impairment who may benefit from the temporary use of bone-conduction assistive technology in the community. Objective This preliminary study aims to determine the screening accuracy and usability of DigiBel self-assessed air-conduction (AC) pure tone audiometry in adult volunteers with simulated hearing impairment prior to formal clinical validation. Methods Healthy adults, each with 1 ear plugged, underwent automated AC pure tone audiometry (reference test) and DigiBel audiometry in quiet community settings. Threshold measurements were compared across 6 tone frequencies and DigiBel test-retest reliability was calculated. The accuracy of DigiBel for detecting more than 20 dB of hearing impairment was assessed. A total of 30 adults (30 unplugged ears and 30 plugged ears) completed both audiometry tests. Results DigiBel had 100% sensitivity (95% CI 87.23-100) and 72.73% (95% CI 54.48-86.70) specificity in detecting hearing impairment. Threshold mean bias was insignificant except at 4000 and 8000 Hz where a small but significant overestimation of threshold measurement was identified. All 24 participants completing feedback rated the DigiBel test as good or excellent and 21 (88%) participants agreed or strongly agreed that they would be able to do the test at home without help. Conclusions This study supports the potential use of DigiBel as a screening tool for hearing impairment. The findings will be used to improve the software further prior to undertaking a formal clinical trial of AC and bone-conduction audiometry in individuals with suspected conductive hearing impairment.