title: Improving detection of adolescent hearing loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare a protocol for pure-tone threshold testing, capable of detecting high-frequency hearing loss as indicated by notched audiometric configurations, with the current school rapid hearing screen and to determine typical adolescent noise exposures associated with notched audiometric configurations.
  
  
  METHODS
  In conjunction with required school rapid hearing screening, a pure-tone threshold testing protocol was administered, specifically to test hearing at high frequencies. A single audiologist reviewed the results. Students completed a survey assessing their noise exposures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A public high school in Pennsylvania.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleventh-grade students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Notched audiometric configurations on the pure-tone threshold test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 296 participants, 78 (26.4%) failed pure-tone threshold testing compared with 15 (5.1%) failing rapid hearing screening. Among those failing the pure-tone threshold testing, 67 (85.9%) failed due to notched audiometric configurations. Self-reported headphone use with an MP3 player was significantly associated with notched audiometric configurations compared with use of earbuds or stereo connection/docking systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pure-tone threshold testing incorporating high frequencies detects adolescent hearing loss more often than rapid hearing screens. Most state hearing screens omit high-frequency testing, potentially missing high-frequency losses, such as noise-induced hearing loss. Because noise-induced hearing loss in particular is preventable and hazardous noise exposures have increased, a reliable school hearing screen to detect high-frequency hearing loss in adolescents is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, 500 University Dr, Mail Code HS83, Hershey, PA 17036, USA. dsekhar@hmc.psu.edu
authors.forename: Deepa L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Sekhar
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rhoades
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Longenecker
authors.forename: Jessica S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Beiler
authors.forename: Tonya S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Widome
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Paul
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006317:Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D012307:Risk Factors; D012572:School Health Services