The accuracy of a smartphone-based hearing assessment compared to conventional audiometry in workers exposed to noise according to sociodemographic, occupational and pre-assessment conditions.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the sociodemographic and occupational factors, as well as the pre-assessment conditions that influence the accuracy of the hearTest in workers exposed to noise.

Methods: Secondary data from an accuracy study conducted with 232 workers were used. A sociodemographic and occupational questionnaire was administered, and an air conduction hearing assessment of 0.5 to 8 kHz was performed using the hearTest and CA. A Youden index (J) ≥ 70% was considered to define good hearTest accuracy.

Results: When analyzing the identification of any HL by the hearTest, it was observed that sociodemographic factors (age between 40 and 49 years; white race, low education level, and income above five minimum wages) reduced the accuracy of the assessment. When analyzing the identification of NIHL, sociodemographic factors (age between 40 and 49 years; low level of education; and income above two minimum wages) also reduced the accuracy of the assessment, along with the worker's pre-assessment condition (irregular sleep the night before the assessment). For both HL criteria, it was found that the hearTest presented worse accuracy with increasing age. Workers with higher educational levels achieved greater accuracy, and the J was higher among women, workers in technical roles, those aged between 18 and 29 years, non-white, those with higher education, those with an income of two to five minimum wages, and those who denied fasting, for both HL classifications.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that sociodemographic, occupational, and pre-assessment conditions can impact the accuracy of the hearTest assessment in workers.