Efficacy of a Hearing Checklist and Screening Test in Identifying Hearing Problems in Primary School Children

Abstract

The study evaluated the sensitivity, specificity as well as the positil'e and negative predictive values of a hearing screening checklist and a screening test developed using the Ling 's 6-sound test. Hundred and fifty-four primary school children, aged 5 to 7 years. were screened and later tested on standard audiological tests (diagnostic purer one audiometry, tympanometry, acoustic reflex test & DPOAE). The screening checklist 'Signs and symptoms of hearing loss ' was found not to be effective in detecting the presence of hearing impairment. The recorded 'Ling 6-sound screening test ' was found to be a better predictor of the presence of hearing loss compared to the screening checklist as it had a higher sensitivity and specificity'. The screening test also had relatively low over referral and under referral rates when compared to the checklist. The combination of the checklist and the screening test did not give rise to significant improvement in the effectiveness of the screening program. Hence, the use of the Ling 's 6 sound screening test in isolation is recommended.