The validity of using a self-report single question as a means to detect hearing loss in an adolescent population

Abstract

Objective

The overall objective in the study was to compare self-reported hearing based on a single question (“how good would you currently rate your hearing?”) to measure hearing loss determined by audiometry in a cohort of adolescents. Prevalence of audiometrically measured hearing loss and frequencies of self-reported poor hearing as well as factors that have an impact on self-reported hearing were examined.

Design

Baseline and 5-year follow-up data of the Ohrkan study were used. Participants filled in a questionnaire and underwent audiometric measurements.

Study sample

Data from 979 adolescents were analysed. Participants were 54.7% female and aged between 13 and 18 years at baseline and 17–21 years at 5-yr follow-up.

Results

The single question on self-reported hearing ability achieved a sensitivity of 41.9% and a positive predictive value of 7.1% at baseline. For the 5-yr follow-up, sensitivity was 40.0%, positive predictive value was 13.9%. Factors influencing self-reported poor hearing were gender, tinnitus, “muffled” ears after exposure to loud noise (e.g. after a concert) and low-frequency hearing loss.

Conclusions

The single question about hearing ability used in the Ohrkan study is not sufficient to replace audiometry to detect hearing loss as defined in the study in adolescents.

Keywords:

• self-reported hearing
• validity
• audiometry
• adolescents

Acknowledgements

We gratefully thank the Statistical Consulting Unit (StaBLab) of the LMU for statistical advice. Further, we would like to thank the staff of the University Hospital Regensburg for conducting the audiometric measurements and the students for their participation.

Ethical approval

The Ethics Committee of the University Hospital of Regensburg approved the study including its data protection procedures.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The Ohrkan study is supported by the Bavarian State Ministry of Public Health and Care Services (StMGP).