Abstract
Objective The present study measured test-retest variability and time efficiency of an automated hearing assessment method called 'new early warning test (NEWT)' incorporated inside a quietpro® hearing protection device (HPD). Study design Test-retest thresholds were obtained with manual pure tone audiometry (PTA) and automated NEWT method. Also, test duration was recorded for PTA and NEWT method. Thirty-two participants having normal hearing in one or both ears were tested with PTA and NEWT at 1, 3, 4 and 6 kHz. Each measurement was repeated to determine test-retest variability and measurement time was recorded. Results Test-retest variability for NEWT method was not significantly different from PTA except at 3 kHz (p < 0.05). Recording time for NEWT method was significantly lower (p < 0.001) compared to PTA. Test-retest difference for PTA trials was ≤5 dB in 82% at 1 and 6 kHz; 85% at 3 kHz and 80% at 4 kHz. For NEWT trials, test-retest difference was ≤5 dB in 95% at 1 kHz; 72% at 3 and 6 kHz and 77% at 4 kHz. Conclusions The NEWT automated method could serve as a reliable and an efficient method to measure auditory thresholds especially in the presence of high background noise.