Validity of modified whisper test as hearing screening method in presbycusis patients

Abstract

Background: Presbycusis is a hearing loss due to the degeneration process which is found at the age of more than 65 years old, with decreased hearing sensitivity in both ears, asymmetrical bilateral sensorineural detection type. Objective: To identify the validity of modified whisper test by detecting the hearing level in presbycusis patients. Methods: The design of this study was comparative, cross-sectional, prospective study. Subjects were elderly undergoing hearing monitoring at URJ Geriatric and URJ Audiology Dr. Soetomo Hospital, in August–September 2018 and examined using whisper test and audiometry. The statistical analysis used 2 × 2 tables, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Results: The lowest sensitivity at frequencies > 41–55 dB was at 100%, the lowest specificity at 100%, lowest sensitivity at frequencies >56–70 dB was at 23.07% with specificity at 100%. The positive predictive value (NRP) at frequencies >25–40 dB was 88.46% while the negative predictive value (NPV) was of 100%. Conclusion: The modified whisper test can be used as early detection of hearing impairment.