[The application of improved CHQS for mass epidemiology study on hearing impairment].
OBJECTIVE
To develop and evaluate the improved Chinese hearing questionnaire for school children (CHQS) for mass epidemiology study on hearing impairment in China.


METHODS
Using the probability proportion to size (PPS) method, 8412 residents were investigated in 40 clusters in Jiangsu province with the WHO ear diseases and hearing disorders survey protocol. 87.9% of the residents aged 7 years and over answered the questionnaire and accepted the pure tone audiometry.


RESULTS
The prevalence of hearing impairment was 12.9% by the questionnaire. Compared with "golden standard" (pure tone audiometry), Sen = 58.5%, Spe = 96.7%, PV+ = 78.9%, PV- = 91.7%, overall accuracy = 90.0%. The sensitivity for women was higher than men.


CONCLUSIONS
The questionnaire produced high efficiency and specificity values. It could be used in mass hearing screening, particularly in remote and rural area, although the sensitivity was as low as most questionnaires.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
Cheng
C
Liu
Guangqian
G
Xing
Xia
X
Xu
Zhibin
Z
Chen
Han
H
Zhou
Dengyuan
D
Wang
Huiqin
H
Tian
Xingkuan
X
Bu
D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires