PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the effectiveness of the application of the web application “Automated system of primary hearing assessment” created by us for the diagnosis of hearing impairment in different age groups.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

With the help of this web application, 712 patients were examined in 3 age groups: group 1 — patients aged 18 to 44 years, 196 people (average age 25.6±2.7 years), group 2 - patients aged 45 to 59 years, 265 people (mean age 46.3±3.6 years), 3rd group - patients 60 years old and older, 251 people (mean age 75.4±1.1 years).

RESULTS

It was revealed that 61.8% of patients had risk factors for the development of hearing loss. In the 1st age group, one risk factor for hearing loss prevailed, in the 2nd and 3rd groups, up to 5-9 factors were simultaneously combined. Clinically significant hearing loss was found in 24.3% of patients. Hearing studies at frequencies of 10 and 12 kHz revealed latent hearing loss in 31.3% of patients, 57% of them had risk factors for the development of hearing loss. Comparative analysis in the groups showed that hearing impairment at high frequencies was found in 47.4% of patients in older age groups and in 15.8% of young people. The possibility of performing otoscopy images made it possible to identify changes in the tympanic membrane in 17.1% of patients, to give a correct conclusion about the state of their hearing and to propose an algorithm for further examination. It was found that the sensitivity of the study in the web application was 98%, the specificity — 99.9%.

FINDINGS

The use of the web application allows assessing the risk factors for the development of hearing loss, identifying patients with latent hearing loss, objectifying the study with otoscopy images, and remotely obtaining a conclusion about the state of hearing from a specialist doctor.