International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology (Mar 2010)
Automatic teleaudiometry: a low cost method to auditory screening
Abstract
Introduction: The auditory screening' benefits has been demonstrated, however these programs has been restricted to the big centers. Objectives: (a) Developing a auditory screening method to distance; (b) Testing its accuracy and comparing to the screening audiometry test (AV). Method: The teleaudiometry (TA), consists in a developed software, installed in a computer with phone TDH39. It was realized a study in series in 73 individuals between 17 and 50 years, being 57,%% of the female sex, they were randomly selected between patients and companions of the Hospital das Clínicas. Before were subjected to a symptom questionnaire and otoscopy, the individuals realized the tests of TA AV, with scanning in 20dB in the frequencies of 1,2 and 4kHz following the ASHA (1997) protocol and to the gold standard test of audiometry of pure tones in soundproof booth in aleatory order. Results: the TA has lasted average 125+11s and the AV 65+18s. 69 individuals (94,5%) declaring to be found difficult or very easy to performing the TA and 61 (83,6%) have considered easy or very easy the AV. The accuracy results of TA and AV were respectively: sensibility (86,7% / 86,7%), specificity (75,9%/ 72,4%) and negative predictive value (95,7% / 95,5%), positive predictive value (48,1% / 55,2%). Conclusion: The teleaudiometry has showed a good option as an auditory screening method, presenting accuracy next to screening audiometry. In comparison with this method, the teleaudiometry has presented a similar sensibility, major specificity, negative predictive value and endurance time and, under positive predictive value.
