Simple automated test could replace costly hearing evaluations
Researchers have validated a self-administered hearing test that produces results matching traditional clinical assessments, opening the door to more accessible and affordable hearing screening. The finding could reduce hearing aid fitting costs and expand testing to underserved populations, as the test requires no specialized equipment or language skills.
Originaltitel: Evaluating the user-operated audible contrast threshold test as a language-independent proxy of speech-in-noise perception
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the user-operated audible contrast threshold (U-ACT) test as an automated, language-independent proxy for the manual ACT test and for aided speech-in-noise perception. DESIGN: An equivalence study was conducted where U-ACT results were compared to manual ACT results and aided speech reception thresholds (SRTs) measured with the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT). Agreement between U-ACT and ACT was assessed using intraclass correlation (ICC), while the relationship with SRTs was evaluated using Pearson's correlation. STUDY SAMPLE: Thirty adults (aged 46-78) with hearing loss were recruited from a university hospital clinic. Participants were selected to ensure variation in audiometric thresholds and speech discrimination scores, representing a clinically diverse population. RESULTS: U-ACT demonstrated excellent agreement with the manual ACT test (ICC = 0.87). U-ACT also showed a strong and significant correlation with aided speech-in-noise perception (r = 0.69). This correlation was identical to that observed for the manual ACT test, indicating equivalent predictive validity. CONCLUSION: U-ACT is a reliable user-operated test that serves as an effective proxy for speech-in-noise perception. As an automated, language-independent measure of supra-threshold hearing ability, U-ACT can be implemented in audiology clinics to improve efficiency and support personalised hearing rehabilitation.