An assessment of the efficacy of the Towson University hearing and speech-language screening
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Date
2013-01-17
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Department
Towson University. Department of Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Deaf Studies
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Copyright protected, all rights reserved.
There are no restrictions on access to this document. An internet release form signed by the author to display this document online is on file with Towson University Special Collections and Archives.
There are no restrictions on access to this document. An internet release form signed by the author to display this document online is on file with Towson University Special Collections and Archives.
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Abstract
The efficacy of a college hearing screening program was examined by (1) completing an audiological assessment on 80 randomly selected students after they were screened in 2011 and (2) retrospectively examining hearing and speech-language screening results and follow-up return rates for all students screened over a 10-year period. Results indicated the hearing screening protocol had good specificity and sensitivity when considering the screening frequencies (1000, 2000, 4000 Hz) but missed many students with a high frequency "notch." The retrospective file review for the hearing screenings showed a low positive predictive value (PPV) and a high over-referral rate (ORR). The speech-language screenings had a high PPV and a low ORR. Both screenings had poor follow-up return rates. Two main factors that contributed to the low sensitivity were high levels of ambient noise in the test rooms and the inability of the screener to detect high frequency hearing loss. Based on these findings, ambient noise levels surrounding the rooms where screenings take place should be monitored more closely. Also, college hearing screening program directors should carefully consider the purpose of the screening and adjust the protocol if they wish to identify noise induced hearing loss in college students and additionally, should propose ways to increase the follow-up return rate.