DETECTION OF HIGH-FREQUENCY HEARING LOSS AND SPEECH PERCEPTION IMPAIRMENT IN ONLINE LEARNING DURING THE PANDEMIC - BASED ON AN APPLICATION HEARING SCREENING PROGRAM

Received 2023-07-02; Accepted 2023-11-23; Published 2024-08-01

Abstract

The education system has undergone significant changes since the COVID pandemic, and there was a notable increase in Personal Listening Devices (PLDs) usage during online learning, which raises concern about potential hearing and speech perception disorders. This study aimed to identify High-Frequency Hearing Loss (HFHL) and speech perception impairment in medical doctor students engaged in online learning during the pandemic. The examination included the relationship between risk factors, such as gender, family history of hearing loss, ear infection, COVID-19 infection, and behavioral patterns of PLD usage. This quantitative, descriptive-analytic observational research
utilized a cross-sectional approach. The respondent were all medical students who underwent the hearing screening program in August 2021, willing to complete questionnaires and conduct self-examinations for hearing screening. The total respondents were 274 students (or 548 ears). Hearing assessment at 2, 4, 6, and 8 kHz was conducted using a hearing app, while speech perception was evaluated with the Digits-in-Noise Test (DIN Test). Data analysis involved Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. Suspected HFHL was found in 63 ears (11.5%, 63/548) consisting of 18 male ears (3.3%, 18/548) and 45 female ears (8.2%, 45/548). Speech perception impairment occurred in 125 respondents (45.6%, 125/274). HFHL was significantly correlated with a family history of hearing loss, while speech
perception impairment showed a significant correlation with gender, daily duration usage, and type of PLD (p < 0.05). Additionally, HFHL was significantly correlated with speech perception (p < 0.05). In conclusion, HFHL was suspected in students during online learning in the second year of the pandemic, and the identified risk factors may impact student performance. Confirmatory hearing assessments with an audiometer are recommended to address potential hearing loss.