Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To compare hearing loss screening results of four simple tests with those of hand-held audiometry. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of individuals screened during intake for physicals and other routine procedures. SETTING: Two primary care clinics in the San Francisco Bay area. PARTICIPANTS: Older adults not wearing hearing aids (N = 125, mean age 72.9, 63% female). MEASUREMENTS: Direct question about hearing loss, indirect question, finger-rub test, whisper test, and audiometric results using a hand-held audiometer. RESULTS: Sensitivity was 91% for the finger-rub test compared with 89% for the direct question, 85% for the indirect question, and 79% for the whisper test. For specificity, the whisper test was highest, followed by the finger rub, indirect, and direct. CONCLUSION: Simple screening procedures can be used to identify older adults with hearing loss in primary care and facilitate early referral for additional testing and treatment.