Protocol - Hearing Screener
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
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 Category | Required |
|---|---|
| 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
| Standard | Name | ID | Source |
|---|
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
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 ID | Variable Description | dbGaP 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 | ||
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.