Smartphone hearing screening in mHealth assisted community-based primary care

dc.contributor.authorHussein, Shouneez Yousuf
dc.contributor.authorSwanepoel, De Wet
dc.contributor.authorBiagio-de Jager, Leigh
dc.contributor.authorMyburgh, Hermanus Carel
dc.contributor.authorEikelboom, Robert H.
dc.contributor.authorHugo, Johannes F.M.
dc.contributor.emaildewet.swanepoel@up.ac.zaen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2017-05-08T09:39:35Z
dc.date.available2017-05-08T09:39:35Z
dc.date.issued2016-10
dc.description.abstractINTRODUCTION : Access to ear and hearing health is a challenge in developing countries, where the burden of disabling hearing loss is greatest. This study investigated community-based identification of hearing loss using smartphone hearing screening (hearScreen™) operated by community health workers (CHWs) in terms of clinical efficacy and the reported experiences of CHWs. METHOD : The study comprised two phases. During phase one, 24 CHWs performed community-based hearing screening as part of their regular home visits over 12 weeks in an underserved community, using automated test protocols employed by the hearScreen™ smartphone application, operating on low-cost smartphones with calibrated headphones. During phase two, CHWs completed a questionnaire regarding their perceptions and experiences of the community-based screening programme. RESULTS : Data analysis was conducted on the results of 108 children (2-15 years) and 598 adults (16-85 years). Referral rates for children and adults were 12% and 6.5% respectively. Noise exceeding permissible levels had a significant effect on screen results at 25 dB at 1 kHz (p<0.05). Age significantly affected adult referral rates (p < 0.05), demonstrating a lower rate (4.3%) in younger as opposed to older adults (13.2%). CHWs were positive regarding the hearScreen™ solution in terms of usability, need for services, value to community members and time efficiency. CONCLUSION : Smartphone-based hearing screening allows CHWs to bring hearing health care to underserved communities at a primary care level. Active noise monitoring and data management features allow for quality control and remote monitoring for surveillance and follow-up.en_ZA
dc.description.departmentElectrical, Electronic and Computer Engineeringen_ZA
dc.description.departmentFamily Medicineen_ZA
dc.description.departmentSpeech-Language Pathology and Audiologyen_ZA
dc.description.librarianhb2017en_ZA
dc.description.sponsorshipThe financial assistance of the National Research Foundation (NRF) towards this research is hereby acknowledged.en_ZA
dc.description.sponsorshipThe National Research Foundation (NRF)en_ZA
dc.description.urihttp://jtt.sagepub.comen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationHussein, SY, Swanepoel, DW, De Jager, LB, Myburg, HC, Eikelboom, RH & Hugo, J 2016, 'Smartphone hearing screening in mHealth assisted community-based primary care', Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, vol. 22, no. 7, pp. 405-412.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1357-633X (print)
dc.identifier.issn1758-1109 (online)
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/60266
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherSageen_ZA
dc.rights© The Author(s) 2015en_ZA
dc.subjectCommunity-baseden_ZA
dc.subjectMobile health (mHealth)en_ZA
dc.subjectPrimary careen_ZA
dc.subjectSmartphoneen_ZA
dc.subjectTele-assisteden_ZA
dc.titleSmartphone hearing screening in mHealth assisted community-based primary careen_ZA
dc.typePostprint Articleen_ZA

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Hussein_Smartphone_2016.pdf
Size:
383.96 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Postprint Article

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.75 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: