A smartphone-based assessment of hearing impairment among medical students of a medical college, Bidar: a cross-sectional study

Zareenabanu S. Mallikar; Ashok D. Shelke; Dilip S. Rathod; Pallavi M. Kesari; Rahul C. Bedre

doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20263513

Authors

Zareenabanu S. Mallikar Department of Community Medicine, Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar, Karnataka, India
Ashok D. Shelke Department of Community Medicine, Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar, Karnataka, India
Dilip S. Rathod Department of Community Medicine, Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar, Karnataka, India
Pallavi M. Kesari Department of Community Medicine, Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar, Karnataka, India
Rahul C. Bedre Department of Community Medicine, Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20263513

Keywords:

Hearing impairment, HearWHO application, Medical students, Personal listening devices, Smartphone-based screening

Abstract

Background: Hearing loss is increasingly prevalent among young adults, often due to frequent use of personal audio devices. Early assessment is essential for identifying hearing impairment and implementing preventive strategies. This study evaluated hearing levels among medical students using the hearWHO application. Objective was to estimate the prevalence of hearing impairment using a smartphone-based tool and to assess the associated factors among medical students.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 140 medical students selected through stratified random sampling. Each academic year (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and final year) constituted a stratum. Hearing was assessed using the hearWHO application, with scores categorized as >75 (excellent), 50-75 (moderate), and <50 (low hearing).

Results: Total 140 study participants were included. On assessment with hearWHO application, 28 (20%) were in the score category of >75, 109 (77.9%) in score category 50-75 and 3 (2.1%) in score category <50. Among the earphone users, 85 (60.7%) did not adhere to volume alert notification.

Conclusions: Most students had moderate hearWHO scores, while a small proportion exhibited low scores suggestive of hearing impairment. These findings highlight the importance of regular auditory assessment and preventive strategies, particularly among personal listening device users, for early detection and timely intervention.

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