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Portable audiometric screening platforms used in low-resource settings: a review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2018

A Jayawardena ,
B Waller ,
B Edwards ,
R Larsen-Reindorf ,
J Esinam Anomah ,
B Frimpong ,
A Gina ,
J Netterville ,
J Saunders  and
G J Basura
A Jayawardena
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
B Waller
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
B Edwards
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
R Larsen-Reindorf
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Hearing Assessment Center, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
J Esinam Anomah
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Hearing Assessment Center, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
B Frimpong
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Hearing Assessment Center, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
A Gina
Affiliation:
Department of Audiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
J Netterville
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
J Saunders
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
G J Basura*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Gregory J Basura, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Otology/Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery, 1500 W Medical Center Dr., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA E-mail: gbasura@umich.edu Fax: +1 734 764 0014
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Abstract

Background

Millions of people across the world suffer from disabling hearing loss. Appropriate interventions lead to improved speech and language skills, educational advancement, and improved social integration. A major limitation to improving care is identifying those with disabling hearing loss in low-resource countries.

Objectives

This review article summarises information on currently available hearing screening platforms and technology available from published reports and the authors’ personal experiences of hearing loss identification in low-resource areas of the world. The paper reviews the scope and capabilities of portable hearing screening platforms, including the pros and cons of each technology and how they have been utilised in low-resource environments.

Conclusion

Portable hearing screening tools are readily available to assess hearing loss in low-resource areas. Each technology has advantages and limitations that should be considered when identifying the optimal methods to assess needs in each country.

Keywords

Auditory Brainstem ResponseHearing LossHearing ScreeningLow- and Middle-Income CountriesOto-Acoustic EmissionsPure Tone Audiometry
Type
Review Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 133 , Issue 2 , February 2019 , pp. 74 - 79
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2018 

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Footnotes

Dr G J Basura takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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