Computer-assisted audiometry versus manual audiometry. 2009

Allan Thiam Poh Ho, and Anthony J Hildreth, and Leon Lindsey
Department of Otolaryngology, Sunderland Royal Hospital, Sunderland, UK. entalberta@gmail.com

OBJECTIVE The Otogram is an automated computer-assisted audiometer that allows patients to self-administer audiometry for their pure-tone audiogram. There has been no research published in a peer-reviewed journal, validating its use in an otology outpatient clinic. We therefore proposed to investigate and compare the inter-rater and intrarater accuracy and reliability of audiologists and of the Otogram in an English-speaking British population. METHODS Prospective nonrandomized validation study. METHODS Secondary otolaryngology center and otology outpatient clinic. METHODS Forty-eight NHS patients referred to an otology outpatient clinic. METHODS Each patient had 2 pure-tone audiograms. Hearing thresholds in decibels hearing level were ascertained by fully trained British audiologists and by the Otogram. RESULTS Using the weighted kappa statistic, the level of agreement in air-conduction (kappa = 0.965) and bone-conduction (kappa = 0.927) thresholds between the audiologist and the Otogram on the same patient was equivalent to the inter-rater level of agreement between pairs of audiologists. Approximately 94% of air-conduction thresholds and 91% of bone-conduction thresholds measured by the Otogram fell within 10 dB of thresholds measured by an audiologist. Intrarater comparisons between audiologists were very good for air-conduction (kappa = 0.978) and bone-conduction (kappa = 0.964). The intrarater level of agreement between repeated Otogram thresholds was just as good for air-conduction (kappa = 0.974) and bone-conduction (kappa = 0.945) thresholds. CONCLUSIONS The Otogram is just as reliable as audiologists at determining hearing thresholds. We recommend that the Otogram can be safely used in a controlled clinical setting supervised by audiologists.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007802 Language A verbal or nonverbal means of communicating ideas or feelings. Dialect,Dialects,Languages
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D011446 Prospective Studies Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group. Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D001844 Bone Conduction Transmission of sound waves through vibration of bones in the SKULL to the inner ear (COCHLEA). By using bone conduction stimulation and by bypassing any OUTER EAR or MIDDLE EAR abnormalities, hearing thresholds of the cochlea can be determined. Bone conduction hearing differs from normal hearing which is based on air conduction stimulation via the EAR CANAL and the TYMPANIC MEMBRANE. Bone Conduction Hearing,Conduction Hearing, Bone,Conduction, Bone,Hearing, Bone Conduction
D003936 Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted Application of computer programs designed to assist the physician in solving a diagnostic problem. Computer-Assisted Diagnosis,Computer Assisted Diagnosis,Computer-Assisted Diagnoses,Diagnoses, Computer-Assisted,Diagnosis, Computer Assisted
D005260 Female Females
D006113 United Kingdom Country in northwestern Europe including Great Britain and the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland, located between the North Sea and north Atlantic Ocean. The capital is London. Great Britain,Isle of Man
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

Related Publications

Allan Thiam Poh Ho, and Anthony J Hildreth, and Leon Lindsey
January 2001, Vestnik otorinolaringologii,
Allan Thiam Poh Ho, and Anthony J Hildreth, and Leon Lindsey
June 2008, Journal of neurosurgery. Spine,
Allan Thiam Poh Ho, and Anthony J Hildreth, and Leon Lindsey
October 1992, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science,
Allan Thiam Poh Ho, and Anthony J Hildreth, and Leon Lindsey
January 1983, Scandinavian audiology,
Allan Thiam Poh Ho, and Anthony J Hildreth, and Leon Lindsey
October 2004, Journal of spinal disorders & techniques,
Allan Thiam Poh Ho, and Anthony J Hildreth, and Leon Lindsey
December 2006, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume,
Allan Thiam Poh Ho, and Anthony J Hildreth, and Leon Lindsey
April 2013, Sleep,
Allan Thiam Poh Ho, and Anthony J Hildreth, and Leon Lindsey
April 1991, The American journal of psychiatry,
Allan Thiam Poh Ho, and Anthony J Hildreth, and Leon Lindsey
January 2014, Clinical and experimental obstetrics & gynecology,
Allan Thiam Poh Ho, and Anthony J Hildreth, and Leon Lindsey
March 1974, Journal of speech and hearing research,
Copied contents to your clipboard!