Evidence-based occupational hearing screening II: validation of a screening methodology using measures of functional hearing ability

Abstract

An individual's SRT and audiogram can accurately predict the likelihood of effective speech communication in noise environments with known ESII characteristics, where essential hearing-critical tasks are performed. These predictions provide an objective means of occupational hearing screening.

Beyond the audiogram: application of models of auditory fitness for duty to assess communication in the real world

“… This manuscript provides a Commentary on a paper published in the current issue of Ear and Hearing and the companion paper published in the International Journal of Audiology (Soli et al 2018a, 2018b). These papers report background, rationale, and results of a novel modeling approach to assess “auditory fitness for duty” or an individual’s ability to perform hearing-critical tasks related to their job, based on their likelihood of effective speech communication in the listening environment in which the task is performed. …”

“…The following Commentary discusses two new manuscripts by Soli and colleagues, one published in the current issue of Ear and Hearing (“Evidence-based occupational hearing screening I: Modelling the effects of real-world noise environments on the likelihood of effective speech communication”, Soli et al 2018a) and the companion paper published in the International Journal of Audiology (“Evidence-based occupational hearing screening II: Validation of a screening methodology using measures of functional hearing ability”, Soli et al 2018b). Each manuscript describes a novel approach to an important topic and addresses a timely scientific and clinical question: how does hearing loss contribute to the ability of employees or employee candidates to perform critical tasks associated with their occupations?…”

“…As presented, the approach focuses on functional hearing abilities, defined by the authors as including features of detection, recognition, localization, and speech communication, with functional hearing being most directly related to speech communication. Although the goal of the Soli et al 2018a, 2018b studies was narrowly defined to develop and validate a method of occupational hearing assessments for specific hearing-critical job tasks involving public safety, their rationale and approach raise important questions and provide novel tools for screenings or assessments of everyday communication in “hearing-critical” daily activities by all individuals, including those with hearing loss.…”

“…As a result, current audiometric test batteries are not designed to assess “hearing handicap” that prevents an individual from efficiently and fully conducting the activities most important to them in typical environments (in the same way workers must successfully perform hearing-critical job tasks in occupational settings). Among other concerns, this has led to a disassociation between currently used diagnostic tools and the most common complaints of individuals with hearing loss (Soli et al 2018a, 2018b).…”

“…To adopt empirical evidence from the Soli et al . 2018a, 2018b studies and broaden the approach from occupational hearing screening, procedures are needed to identify each individual’s everyday tasks, describe characteristics of listening environments in which they spend their time, and determine when and where effective speech communication is essential. Such an ecologically valid approach acknowledges that functional communication abilities and their assessments are not “one-size-fits-all,” but take into account individuals’ widely varying daily activities, real-world listening environments, and communication needs.…”