RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Hearing Screening in Private Family Practice Medicine Using Tablet Applications
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 240
OP 245
DO 10.1370/afm.240346
VO 23
IS 3
A1 El Mouahidine, Maria
A1 Génin, Arnaud
A1 Venail, Frédéric
A1 Puel, Jean-Luc
A1 Ceccato, Jean-Charles
YR 2025
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/23/3/240.abstract
AB PURPOSE Hearing loss is a common deficit that remains underdiagnosed. To address this issue, automatic self-hearing tests have been developed. These tools are based on pure-tone detection and speech-in-noise evaluation. The present study evaluated the acceptability and the feasibility of hearing screening for patients consulting in private family practice medicine.METHODS Data were collected in 3 French medical care centers from May through November 2022. Fast pure-tone (SoTone) and speech-in-noise (SoNoise) tests were available on the SONUP application. Three parameters were measured: (1) duration of the protocol; (2) pertinence of performing both pure-tone and speech-in-noise tests; and (3) number of hearing-impaired patients detected and their follow-up (ie, consultation with an ear, nose, and throat [ENT] specialist, and hearing aid fitting).RESULTS Of the 516 eligible patients, 219 (42%) were able to perform both tests. Among the screened patients, 161 (74%) had negative test results, while 59 (27%) had positive results indicating hearing loss. Although patients were encouraged to consult an ENT specialist, only 14 did so, and 8 agreed to be fitted with hearing aids. The average duration of the tests, including the explanation (1 minute 43 seconds), was 6 minutes 8 seconds. Interestingly, the SoTone (1 minute 10 seconds), appears to be sufficient for detecting hearing loss.CONCLUSIONS This study supports integration of app-based hearing screenings into family medical care, as it is compatible with routine consultations. The use of tablet-based applications may assist general practitioners by enhancing the diagnosis of hearing disorders.