Validity of self-reported hearing loss in adults: performance of three single questions

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To estimate the validity of three single questions used to assess self-reported hearing loss as compared to pure-tone audiometry in an adult population. METHODS:A validity study was performed with a random sub-sample of 188 subjects aged 30 to 65 years, drawn from the fourth wave of a populationbased cohort study carried out in Salvador, Northeastern Brazil. Data were collected in household visits using questionnaires. Three questions were used to separately assess self-reported hearing loss: Q1, "Do you feel you have a hearing loss?"; Q2, "In general, would you say your hearing is 'excellent,' 'very good,' 'good,' 'fair,' 'poor'?"; Q3, "Currently, do you think you can hear 'the same as before', 'less than before only in the right ear', 'less than before only in the left ear', 'less than before in both ears'?". Measures of accuracy were estimated through seven measures including Youden index. Responses to each question were compared to the results of pure-tone audiometry to estimate accuracy measures. RESULTS:The estimated sensitivity and specifi city were 79.6%, 77.4% for Q1; 66.9%, 85.1% for Q2; and 81.5%, 76.4% for Q3, respectively. The Youden index ranged from 51.9% (Q2) to 57.0% (Q1) and 57.9% (Q3). CONCLUSIONS:Each of all three questions provides responses accurate enough to support their use to assess self-reported hearing loss in epidemiological studies with adult populations when pure-tone audiometry is not feasible.

Duration of Analgesic Use and Risk of Hearing Loss in Women

“…From a logistical and financial standpoint, it is challenging to obtain audiograms in such a large cohort. It has been shown in previous studies that compared with hearing loss diagnosed by audiogram, self-reported hearing loss is a relatively reliable indicator of hearing loss (22)(23)(24)(25). In addition, significant associations between other factors and risk of self-reported hearing loss have been observed using this method of assessment in NHS I and NHS II (14,(26)(27)(28)(29).…”

“…The outcome of our study was self-reported hearing loss. Although pure-tone audiometry is considered the gold standard for diagnosing hearing loss, self-reported hearing loss has been shown to be a reliable indicator of hearing loss (22)(23)(24)(25). Furthermore, in a recent literature review, Chou et al (55) showed that a single question on perceived hearing loss was almost as accurate as a more detailed questionnaire or portable audiometric device for detecting hearing loss.…”

Inquérito domiciliar de distúrbios fonoaudiológicos autodeclarados: desenho e protocolo de pesquisa

“…The methodology used to conduct surveys has been studied in detail and adaptations of the methods used for selecting sample census in Brazil were incorporated (2,10,12) . The study design included data from regional surveys, methodological data of national and international surveys related to human communication and disorders (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8) , and specific studies related to some of the issues present in this project (1,2,(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15) . A stratified probabilistic sampling of multiple stages (10,13) initially determined from the analysis of the age distribution in the city of Porto Alegre (southern Brazil) and representation in city neighbourhoods according to the 2000 census was performed.…”

“…Resultados: O tempo médio de entrevista variou de 15 a 35 minutos, dependendo da experiência dos entrevistadores e diminuiu para ambos os grupos, depois de algum tempo de trabalho de campo. A ocorrência de "não sabe ou não respondeu" variou de 0,2% (IC 95% 0,0;1,6) a 6,1% (IC 95% 2,8;11,3), foi menor para as questões relativas à história de rouquidão e zumbido respondida por substitutos e maior para a questão relacionada à percepção de alteração na emissão vocal associada ao envelhecimento. Conclusão: Inquérito domiciliar é um método viável e relevante para verificar a carga dos distúrbios fonoaudiológicos na população em geral, embora seja necessário contar com amplo conhecimento dos aspectos relacionados a essa metodologia de estudo, bem como de elementos importantes para a seleção e formação contínua dos entrevistadores, a fim de aumentar a participação da população investigada.…”

“…Surveys on communication disorders and related factors such as sociodemographic factors, economic factors, or co--occurrence with cardiovascular, neurological or traumatic brain injury are relatively rare (1)(2)(3)(4) , although some studies of schoolchildren (5)(6)(7) and other specific segments of the population have been published in recent decades (8) . For these reasons, the population estimate of the occurrence of this type of injury and its impact on the lives of individuals, their families or even the demand for health services, especially in relation to rehabilitation, is still unknown (4) .…”