Comparison of the results of conventional and user-operated automated pure-tone audiometry

ABSTRACT Purpose to compare the auditory thresholds obtained in the conventional pure tone audiometry exam with the thresholds obtained in the user-operated automated pure tone audiometry. Methods 40 individuals of both genders, aged between 18 and 30 years old, divided into two groups participated in the study: 21 individuals with prior knowledge of how to perform audiometry - audiology undergraduates who have already taken courses in audiological assessment - (Group 1); 19 individuals without knowledge about audiometry (Group 2). The procedures involved anamnesis, inspection of the external acoustic meatus, performance of tonal audiometry airway, in the frequencies 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8KHz, in conventional or automated form, in an acoustically treated environment, with an interval of 15 minutes between audiometries. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, absolute mean difference, and percentage) and comparative analysis using the Wilcoxon test (p value <5). Results all the participants in the study had tonal thresholds within normal limits in audiometry. When considering the entire evaluated population, statistically significant differences were observed between the hearing thresholds obtained in the two audiometries (conventional and automated) at the frequencies of 1 KHz (p= 0,047) in the right ear and 0.25 (p= 0,001), 3 (p= 0,037) and 8 (p= 0,019) KHz in the left ear. The percentage of automated auditory thresholds that presented a maximum difference of ±5 dB from the conventional audiometry thresholds was 82.4% and 83% in the right and left ear, respectively. Comparing the means of the absolute differences of the auditory thresholds of the audiometry, a minimum and maximum value of 2.87dB of 5.75 dB, respectively were observed. Conclusion it is observed that the auditory thresholds automated by air conduction were similar to those of conventional audiometry (gold standard). New technologies are necessary, but the presence of audiologists in the diagnostic and therapeutic processes is essential.