Validation of DPOAE screening conducted by village health workers in a rural community with real-time click evoked tele-auditory brainstem response. (4th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ramkumar, Vidya; Vanaja, C. S.; Hall, James W.; Selvakumar, K.; Nagarajan, Roopa
• Is Part Of: International journal of audiology. Volume 57:Number 5(2018)
• Page Start: 370
• Page End: 375
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04
• Subjects: Community-based -- grass roots worker -- DPOAE screening -- telemedicine -- tele-audiology -- tele-auditory brainstem response; Audiology -- Periodicals; Hearing disorders -- Periodicals; Deafness -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Hearing Disorders -- Periodicals; Hearing -- Periodicals; 617.8
• DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2018.1425001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1499-2027

Abstract

Abstract: Objective : This study assessed the validity of DPOAE screening conducted by village health workers (VHWs) in a rural community. Real-time click evoked tele-auditory brainstem response (tele-ABR) was used as the gold standard to establish validity. Design : A cross-sectional design was utilised to compare the results of screening by VHWs to those obtained via tele-ABR. Study samples : One hundred and nineteen subjects (0 to 5 years) were selected randomly from a sample of 2880 infants and young children who received DPOAE screening by VHWs. Method : Real time tele-ABR was conducted by using satellite or broadband internet connectivity at the village. An audiologist located at the tertiary care hospital conducted tele-ABR testing through a remote computing paradigm. Tele-ABR was recorded using standard recording parameters recommended for infants and young children. Wave morphology, repeatability and peak latency data were used for ABR analysis. Results : Tele-ABR and DPOAE findings were compared for 197 ears. The sensitivity of DPOAE screening conducted by the VHW was 75%, and specificity was 91%. The negative and positive predictive values were 98.8% and 27.2%, respectively. Conclusions : The validity of DPOAE screening conducted by trained VHW was acceptable. This study supports the engagement of grass-root workers in community-based hearing health care provision.