Validation of self-reported hearing loss using television volume.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the diagnostic utility of using television volume as a marker for hearing loss.


METHODS
Prospective study using a self-administered questionnaire.


METHODS
ENT and audiology out-patient departments in the north of England.


METHODS
One hundred and seventeen patients with a history of hearing loss, undergoing pure tone audiometry for the first time.


METHODS
sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, and positive and negative predictive value of television volume as a marker of hearing loss.


RESULTS
The data indicated that if the patient (or their partner or parent) reported viewing television with an increased volume, then there was a 68 per cent chance of the patient having a hearing loss of 25 dB or more. Patients reporting increased television volume had a mean hearing loss of 35 dB. Increased television volume had a sensitivity of 81 per cent and a specificity of 52 per cent as a predictor of hearing loss. Patients who increased their television volume to watch news programmes had an average hearing loss of 41 dB; increased television volume for news programmes had a sensitivity of 75 per cent and a specificity of 71 per cent as a predictor of hearing loss.


CONCLUSIONS
Television volume is a useful marker of hearing loss in situations where audiometry is unavailable, for instance in a primary care setting. However, it is not a very specific test.
Ranganathan
B
B
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sunderland Royal Hospital, UK. drbaskaranr@gmail.com
Counter
P
P
Johnson
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013690:Television; D055815:Young Adult