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Protocol - Hearing Screener

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Description

hearScreen USA is a clinically validated, U.S. national hearing screening application (app). The app provides accurate detection of hearing impairment. The user is presented with a 23-step hearing screening test, the Digits in Noise Test (DIN). Completion time is under 3 minutes. If hearing impairment is detected, the app will suggest that the user contact a verified audiologist. Appointments with an audiologist can be made using the app.

Specific Instructions

This protocol requires you to download an application (app) to your tablet or smartphone. Download the free hearScreen USA app for your Android™ or Apple™ device. More information about the application is available at the following website: https://hearscreenusa.com/.

Availability

Available

Protocol

After downloading the hearScreen USA app, the user attaches earphones to the tablet/smartphone and opens the app. Note that the app will detect whether or not earphones are being used and will not continue if they are not attached to the device.

There are a few demographic questions at the beginning of the app.

The user will be prompted to adjust the volume to a comfortable level and begin the hearing test.

The app will say 3 digits, for example “1, 4, 8,” after which the user enters the numbers on the tablet/phone. This is repeated 23 times. Background noise is present throughout the test and will make hearing the digits more difficult.

The app will compute the total and provide a score at the end of the test.

If a hearing loss is detected, the user will be provided with an option to be connected to the nearest audiologist who is registered in the app’s system, based on geolocation. Audiologists who receive referrals can follow up with prospective patients regarding receiving a diagnostic consultation.

Personnel and Training Required

None

Equipment Needs

Smartphone or tablet device with access to the Internet

Earbuds

Requirements
Requirement CategoryRequired
Major equipment No
Specialized training No
Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection No
Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual No
Mode of Administration

Self-administered application

Lifestage

Adolescent, Adult, Senior

Participants

Children, adolescents, and adults, ages 6 and older having modest intellectual competence

Selection Rationale

The hearScreen USA application (app) is a self-administered and validated tool that utilizes the Digit in Noise Test (DIN). The DIN is valuable in screening for age-related hearing loss (ARHL) because it correlates closely with the pure tone threshold and is additionally sensitive to speech in noise (e.g., conversation in a crowded restaurant), a common indicator of auditory disability.

Language

English

Standards
StandardNameIDSource
Derived Variables

None

Process and Review

The Expert Review Panel #7 (ERP 7) reviewed the measures in the Speech and Hearing domain.

Guidance from ERP 7 includes the following:

  • Added a new measure
  • New Data Dictionary

Protocol Name from Source

Digits in Noise Test (DIN)

Source

https://hearscreenusa.com/

The hearScreen USA application (app) available at the Apple™ Store and Google™ Store.

General References

Smits, C., Kapteyn, T. S., & Houtgast, T. (2004). Development and validation of an automatic speech-in-noise screening test by telephone. International Journal of Audiology, 43, 15–28.

Smits, C., & Houtgast, T. (2005). Results from the Dutch speech-in-noise screening test by telephone. Ear Hear, 26, 89–95.

Protocol ID

201801

Variables
Export Variables
Variable Name Variable IDVariable DescriptiondbGaP Mapping
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Birth_Year
PX201801010000 What is your birth year? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Earphones
PX201801060000 Do you have earphones on? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Gender
PX201801020000 What is your gender? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Language_Home
PX201801030000 What is the language you speak at home? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Problem_Self_Assessment
PX201801040000 Do you think you have a hearing problem? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Quiet_Place
PX201801050000 Are you in a quiet place? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_1
PX201801070100 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_10
PX201801071000 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_11
PX201801071100 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_12
PX201801071200 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_13
PX201801071300 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_14
PX201801071400 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_15
PX201801071500 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_16
PX201801071600 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_17
PX201801071700 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_18
PX201801071800 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_19
PX201801071900 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_2
PX201801070200 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_20
PX201801072000 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_21
PX201801072100 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_22
PX201801072200 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_23
PX201801072300 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_3
PX201801070300 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_4
PX201801070400 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_5
PX201801070500 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_6
PX201801070600 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_7
PX201801070700 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_8
PX201801070800 What three digits do you hear? N/A
PX201801_Hearing_Screener_Three_Digits_9
PX201801070900 What three digits do you hear? N/A
Speech, Language and Hearing
Measure Name

Hearing Screener

Release Date

June 4, 2019

Definition

This is a self-administered application (app) used to detect hearing loss.

Purpose

This self-administered application (app), downloadable to smartphone or tablet, can be used to screen for hearing loss. If hearing loss is indicated, users are encouraged to contact an audiologist.

Keywords

speech and hearing, hearing test, Digits in Noise Test, DIN, phone application, phone app, tablet application, tablet app

Measure Protocols
Protocol ID Protocol Name
201801 Hearing Screener
Publications

There are no publications listed for this protocol.