%0 Journal Article
%@ 2561-326X
%I JMIR Publications
%V 8
%N 
%P e51770
%T An Initial Validation of Community-Based Air-Conduction Audiometry in Adults With Simulated Hearing Impairment Using a New Web App, DigiBel: Validation Study
%A Sienko,Anna
%A Thirunavukarasu,Arun James
%A Kuzmich,Tanya
%A Allen,Louise
%+ School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0SP, United Kingdom, 44 1223 336700, as2866@cam.ac.uk
%K audiology
%K audiometry
%K hearing test
%K eHealth
%K mobile application
%K automated audiometry
%K hearing loss
%K hearing impairment
%K web-app
%K web-apps
%K web-application
%K digital health
%K hearing
%K adult
%K adults
%K mobile health
%K mhealth
%K community-based
%K home-based
%K assistive technology
%K screening
%K usability
%K ears
%K ear
%D 2024
%7 25.1.2024
%9 Original Paper
%J JMIR Form Res
%G English
%X Background: Approximately 80% of primary school children in the United States and Europe experience glue ear, which may impair hearing at a critical time for speech acquisition and social development. A web-based app, DigiBel, has been developed primarily to identify individuals with conductive hearing impairment who may benefit from the temporary use of bone-conduction assistive technology in the community. Objective: This preliminary study aims to determine the screening accuracy and usability of DigiBel self-assessed air-conduction (AC) pure tone audiometry in adult volunteers with simulated hearing impairment prior to formal clinical validation. Methods: Healthy adults, each with 1 ear plugged, underwent automated AC pure tone audiometry (reference test) and DigiBel audiometry in quiet community settings. Threshold measurements were compared across 6 tone frequencies and DigiBel test-retest reliability was calculated. The accuracy of DigiBel for detecting more than 20 dB of hearing impairment was assessed. A total of 30 adults (30 unplugged ears and 30 plugged ears) completed both audiometry tests. Results: DigiBel had 100% sensitivity (95% CI 87.23-100) and 72.73% (95% CI 54.48-86.70) specificity in detecting hearing impairment. Threshold mean bias was insignificant except at 4000 and 8000 Hz where a small but significant overestimation of threshold measurement was identified. All 24 participants completing feedback rated the DigiBel test as good or excellent and 21 (88%) participants agreed or strongly agreed that they would be able to do the test at home without help. Conclusions: This study supports the potential use of DigiBel as a screening tool for hearing impairment. The findings will be used to improve the software further prior to undertaking a formal clinical trial of AC and bone-conduction audiometry in individuals with suspected conductive hearing impairment. 
%M 38271088
%R 10.2196/51770
%U https://formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e51770
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/51770
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38271088