Kids are not just small adults: An attempt to validate pediatric tablet-based digits in noise testing.

The objective of this study is to investigate whether conductive hearing loss (CHL) can be differentiated from sensorineural hearing loss in children ages 3-18 using a diotic and antiphasic digits-in-noise (DIN) tablet-based test using existing adult cut-off criteria. A blinded multi-institutional prospective cohort of 64 children aged 3-18 scheduled for an audiometric soundbooth evaluation with a pediatric audiologist and a same-day otolaryngologist examination were recruited for the study. Following a conventional audiogram, the subjects underwent diotic (same-phased stimuli) and antiphasic (out-of-phase stimuli) DIN testing on a HearX Samsung Galaxy tablet with over-the-ear headphones, for a total of 128 measurements. DIN test results were compared with soundbooth audiometry using known adult "cut off criteria." A logistic regression analysis adjusted for demographics (age, sex) and race was performed to compare CHL determination from DIN testing to CHL determination with soundbooth audiometry. The results showed 50% agreement with a This preliminary analysis of DIN testing indicated that DIN and audiometric testing completed in a soundbooth were not significantly predictive of one another in the population of children aged 3-18 when using the adult cut-off criteria for CHL differentiation. Given these findings, further testing is required in children to determine pediatric specific cut-off values.

Informations de copyright

© 2024 The Author(s). Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Triological Society.