Swanepoel, De WetMngemane, ShadrackMolemong, SilindileMkwanazi, HildaTutshini, Sizwe2011-01-112011-01-112010-06Swanepoel, DW, Mngemane, S, Molemong, S, Mkwanazi, H & Tutshini, S 2010, 'Hearing assessment - reliability, accuracy, and efficiency of automated audiometry', Telemedicine and e-Health, vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 557-563. [http://www.liebertpub.com/products/product.aspx?pid=54]1530-562710.1089=tmj.2009.0143http://hdl.handle.net/2263/15606OBJECTIVE : This study investigated the reliability, accuracy, and time efficiency of automated hearing assessment using a computer-based telemedicine-compliant audiometer. MATERIALS AND METHODS : Thirty normal-hearing subjects and eight hearing-impaired subjects were tested with pure-tone air conduction audiometry (125–8,000 Hz) in a manual and automated configuration in a counterbalanced manner. For the normal-hearing group each test was repeated to determine test-retest reliability and recording time, and preference for threshold-seeking method (manual vs. automated) was documented. RESULTS : Test-retest thresholds were not significantly different for manual and automated testing. Manual audiometry test-retest correspondence was 5 dB or less in 88% of thresholds compared to 91% for automated audiometry. Thresholds for automated audiometry did not differ significantly from manual audiometry with 87% of thresholds in the normal-hearing group and 97% in the hearingimpaired group, corresponding within 5 dB or less of each other. The largest overall average absolute difference across frequencies was 3.6 – 3.9 dB for the normal-hearing group and 3.3 – 2.4 for the hearing-impaired group. Both techniques were equally time efficient in the normal-hearing population, and 63% of subjects preferred the automated threshold-seeking method. CONCLUSIONS : Automated audiometry provides reliable, accurate, and time-efficient hearing assessments for normal-hearing and hearing-impaired adults. Combined with an asynchronous telehealth model it holds significant potential for reaching underserved areas where hearing health professionals are unavailable.enMary Ann Liebert. This is a copy of an article published in the Telemedicine and e-Health, © 2010 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Telemedicine and e-Health is available online at: http://www.liebertonline.com.E-healthTelehealthTelemedicineAutomated hearing assessmentTele-audiologyMedical telematicsTelecommunication in medicineAudiometry -- Technological innovationsArticle