ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Recent research supports the clinical use of automated audiometry for pediatric hearing screenings. However, very few studies have tested whether tablet-based automated audiometry can offer a valid alternative to traditional manual audiometry for estimation of hearing thresholds in children. This study examined the validity and efficiency of automated audiometry in school-aged children. METHODS: Hearing thresholds for 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8â¯kHz were collected in 32 children ages 6-12 years using standard audiometry and tablet-based automated audiometry in a soundproof booth. Test administration time, test preference, and medical history were also collected. RESULTS: Results exhibited that the majority (67%) of threshold differences between automated and standard were within the clinically acceptable range (10â¯dB). The threshold difference between the two tests showed that automated audiometry thresholds were higher by 12â¯dB in 6-year-olds, 7â¯dB in 7- to 9-year-olds, and 3â¯dB in 10- to 12-year-olds. In addition, test administration times were similar, such that standard audiometry took an average of 12.3â¯min and automated audiometry took 11.9â¯min. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the use of tablet-based automated audiometry in children from ages 7-12 years. However, the results suggest that the clinical use of at least some types of tablet-based automated audiometry may not be feasible in children 6 years of age.