Journal article
Normative Values for the Inner EAR Scale
Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, Vol.169(5), pp.1163-1169
11/01/2023
DOI: 10.1002/ohn.349
PMID: 37061891
Abstract
Objective. To determine normative values for the Inner Effectiveness of Auditory Rehabilitation (Inner EAR) scale, a validated instrument utilized to study the impact of hearing loss and potential treatments.
Study Design. Observational outcomes study.
Setting. Academic medical center and community care sites.
Methods. We included patients who were at least 18 years of age and completed the Inner EAR scale, pure-tone audiometry, and word recognition score assessment. Based on audiometry results, patients were categorized as having: (1) normal bilateral hearing, (2) unilateral hearing loss, and (3) bilateral hearing loss. The distributions of Inner EAR scale scores were assessed within each category. Fisher's exact test was utilized to determine whether data-driven threshold values could discriminate among the 3 clinical groups.
Results. Two hundred and twenty-two consecutive patients with hearing-related complaints met inclusion criteria. Mean Inner EAR scores for patients with bilateral hearing loss (29.2, interquartile range [IQR] 10-41.5), unilateral hearing loss (38.9, IQR 23-49), and normal hearing (46.6, IQR 31-62) were significantly different (analysis of variance F < 0.0001). An Inner EAR score threshold of 50 supported the ability to statistically significantly discriminate between bilateral hearing loss and normal hearing (p =.003), as well as between unilateral hearing loss and normal hearing (p =.015).
Conclusion. An Inner EAR score normative threshold value of 50 provides significant discriminatory ability between normal hearing and unilateral or bilateral hearing loss on audiometry. Normative values provide useful, frequently referenced data when assessing responses to treatment. Based on these data, this threshold may help distinguish patients with and without perceived functional impact from hearing loss.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Normative Values for the Inner EAR Scale
- Creators
- Allen S. Zhou - Harvard Med Sch, Dept Otolaryngol Head & Neck Surg, Boston, MA 02115 USACarleton Eduardo Corrales - Harvard Med Sch, Dept Otolaryngol Head & Neck Surg, Boston, MA 02115 USAAnthony Prince - Harvard Med Sch, Dept Otolaryngol Head & Neck Surg, Boston, MA 02115 USABevan Yueh - University of MinnesotaJennifer J. Shin - Harvard Med Sch, Dept Otolaryngol Head & Neck Surg, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, Vol.169(5), pp.1163-1169
- DOI
- 10.1002/ohn.349
- PMID
- 37061891
- NLM abbreviation
- Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
- ISSN
- 0194-5998
- eISSN
- 1097-6817
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 7
- Grant note
- Thomas Lin, Carly Forrester, Dany Suarez-Goris, Kirsten Dabekaussen, Mallory Brown, and Connor Lawrence
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/01/2023
- Academic Unit
- Otolaryngology
- Record Identifier
- 9984966858402771
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