Evaluation of an internet-based speech-in-noise screening test for school-age children.

Objective: To evaluate a Dutch online speech-in-noise screening test (in Dutch: “Kinderhoortest”) in normal-hearing school-age children. Sub-aims were to study test–retest reliability, and the effects of presentation type and age on test results.Design: An observational cross-sectional study at school. Speech reception thresholds (SRTs) were obtained through the online test in a training condition, and two test conditions: on a desktop computer and smartphone. The order of the test conditions was counterbalanced.Study sample: Ninety-four children participated (5–12 years), of which 75 children were normal-hearing (≤25 dB HL at 0.5 kHz, ≤20 dB HL at 1–4 kHz).Results: There was a significant effect for test order for the two test conditions (first or second test), but not for presentation type (desktop computer or smartphone) (repeated measures analyses,F(1,75) = 12.48,p < 0.001;F(1,75) = 0.01,p = 0.982). SRT significantly improved by age year (first test: 0.25 dB SNR, 95% CI: –0.43 to –0.08,p = 0.004. Second test: 0.29 dB SNR, 95% CI: –0.46 to –0.11;p = 0.002).Conclusions: The online test shows potential for routine-hearing screening of school-age children, and can be presented on either a desktop computer or smartphone. The test should be evaluated further in order to establish sensitivity and specificity for hearing loss in children. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]