EFFECTIVENESS OFSCREENING TOOLS EMPLOYED FOR IDENTIFYING HEARING LOSSIN OLDER ADUL

Abstract

The study evaluated the effectiveness of screening tests by identifying hearing loss in 127 adults of the older age groups (aged 60–87). We performed a quantitative assessment of the HHIE-S questionnaire (accuracy, sensitivity, specificity) comparing to the puretone threshold audiometry (the gold standard for detecting hearing loss). The analysis of hearing impairment prevalence in the target population relied on both methods. We have observed a high rate of hearing loss — 81% in the patients of the older age group, of which 30% had mild hearing loss, 38% — moderate hearing loss, 9% — severe hearing loss, the remaining 4% with profound hearing loss. We have evaluated the average accuracy (62.2%), sensitivity (64.0%), specificity (54.0%) as well as the positive predictive value (85.7%) of the HHIE-S questionnaire, whereas it was the negative predictive value only that revealed a low rate (26%). The study outcomes confirm the possibility of using HHIE-S questionnaire as a screening tool for hearing loss in the older age group. HHIE-S can prove particularly useful for primary care physicians as well as for physical examination due to its reliable accuracy and ease of use. The probability of a false positive outcome and an overestimated hearing impairment in the older age group is relatively low. However, pure-tone threshold audiometry is required in patients with detected hearing loss.