The Mini-Audio-Test (MAT). Screening inventory for hearing loss starting at the age of 50

• Published in: Laryngo- rhino- otologie Vol. 92; no. 12; p. 815
• Main Authors: Löhler, J, Walther, L E, Schlattmann, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01.12.2013
• Subjects: Aged; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Cross-Sectional Studies; Early Diagnosis; Female; Germany; Humans; Male; Mass Screening - methods; Middle Aged; Presbycusis - diagnosis; Presbycusis - epidemiology; Prospective Studies; Psychometrics - statistics & numerical data; Reproducibility of Results; Surveys and Questionnaires; Germany
• ISSN: 1438-8685
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1355342

Progredient hearing loss is a common symptom, which is hard to detect early. This study presents an assessment to face this problem. 1,159 subjects between the age of 50 and 75 have been investigated by a 12 question profile about their hearing in different situations. The answers have been rated by weighted points and compared with the pure-tone audiogram of the subjects. 6 of the 12 questions were suitable to detect a hearing loss of 25 dB in one of the 4 frequencies 0,5-1-2-4 kHz. For subjects under age of 60 a cutoff value of 3, for subjects aged 60 years or older a cutoff value of 2 points could be set for the 6 questions including "Mini-Audio-Test" (MAT). The "Mini-Audio-Test" is able to detect a hearing loss of 25 dB at least in one of the 4 frequencies by a sensitivity of 78%, 95% confidence interval (71,8%, 83,2%), for the younger group of subjects and by 69%, 95% confidence interval (66,0%, 72,6%), for the older one. Subjects with a pathological score should be examined by an ENT-physician.