title: [Sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of hearing complaints].
abstract: This study assessed the sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of hearing complaints in outpatients attending an university ear, nose and throat clinic. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Canoas, Southern Brazil, from 1999 to 2002. Seven-hundred and ninety-five subjects who underwent the audiometric test were analyzed. The results showed that the complaint of hearing loss presented 80.9% sensitivity, 69.6% specificity and 86.5% positive predictive value and 60.4% negative predictive value. Despite its subjective character, the audiometric test can be considered a reliable diagnostic tool and should be used due to its low cost compared to the new technologies.
authors.affiliation: Curso de Fonoaudiologia, Universidade Luterana do Brazil, Canoas, RS, Brazil. lumarini04@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Ana Lúcia Sant'Anna
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Halpern
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aerts
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001299:Audiometry; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity