Validating the Hum Test
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Other Indications |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 35 |
| Updated: | 6/10/2016 |
| Start Date: | September 2015 |
| End Date: | September 2017 |
| Contact: | Omar Ahmed, MD |
| Email: | ahmedo01@nyumc.org |
Validation of the Hum Test, a Simple and Reliable Alternative to the Weber Test
The sensitivity and specificity of the Hum Test is being investigated in it's ability to
detect conductive hearing loss. The hum test is simply elicited by asking the subject to hum
to him or herself for a few seconds at both a high and low pitch that is comfortable for the
subject. The subject is then asked if the hum was heard on one side more than the other
(left or right), or if the sound was equal on both sides. To simulate conductive hearing
loss, ear plugs will be placed in one of the subject's ears. We will elicit the hum test as
well as the standard Weber test and audiogram across two conditions, with an ear plug and
without an ear plug. From this, it is hoped to assess how the Hum Test compares to the
audiogram (gold standard) in detecting conductive hearing loss as well as how it compares to
the standard Weber test. If the Hum Test demonstrates strong sensitivity and specificity in
detecting conductive hearing loss, it could have application as being utilized as an
alternative to the standard Weber test, or in a setting where a formal physical examination
may not yet be possible but where the etiology of a patient's hearing change could be
quickly assessed remotely and thus the urgency of intervention/ consultation could then be
determined.
detect conductive hearing loss. The hum test is simply elicited by asking the subject to hum
to him or herself for a few seconds at both a high and low pitch that is comfortable for the
subject. The subject is then asked if the hum was heard on one side more than the other
(left or right), or if the sound was equal on both sides. To simulate conductive hearing
loss, ear plugs will be placed in one of the subject's ears. We will elicit the hum test as
well as the standard Weber test and audiogram across two conditions, with an ear plug and
without an ear plug. From this, it is hoped to assess how the Hum Test compares to the
audiogram (gold standard) in detecting conductive hearing loss as well as how it compares to
the standard Weber test. If the Hum Test demonstrates strong sensitivity and specificity in
detecting conductive hearing loss, it could have application as being utilized as an
alternative to the standard Weber test, or in a setting where a formal physical examination
may not yet be possible but where the etiology of a patient's hearing change could be
quickly assessed remotely and thus the urgency of intervention/ consultation could then be
determined.
It is presumed that the Hum Test works similarly to the Weber Test, where bone conduction of
the skull is elicited to determine if a change in hearing is conductive or sensorineural in
nature. Because the hum test is frequently employed in clinical practice yet its validation
has yet to be demonstrated, investigation is warranted.
To examine and compare the Hum Test, Weber Test, and audiogram in their ability to detect
and identify hearing loss, hearing loss will be simulated with the use of ear plugs
(mimicking conductive hearing loss). Subjects will serve as their own control as these tests
will be conducted with and without ear plugs.
Study data will be maintained using an online, password protected storage system. No
identifiable information will be collected or stored (i.e. name, DOB, etc.). Limited
demographic information will be collected for analysis purposes such as age and gender.
the skull is elicited to determine if a change in hearing is conductive or sensorineural in
nature. Because the hum test is frequently employed in clinical practice yet its validation
has yet to be demonstrated, investigation is warranted.
To examine and compare the Hum Test, Weber Test, and audiogram in their ability to detect
and identify hearing loss, hearing loss will be simulated with the use of ear plugs
(mimicking conductive hearing loss). Subjects will serve as their own control as these tests
will be conducted with and without ear plugs.
Study data will be maintained using an online, password protected storage system. No
identifiable information will be collected or stored (i.e. name, DOB, etc.). Limited
demographic information will be collected for analysis purposes such as age and gender.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 18-35
- Subjective normal hearing and no previous complaints or history of hearing problems
or otologic disorders
- Subjects will be NYU medical students, NYU resident physicians, or patients from the
Long Island Cochlear Implant Center
Exclusion Criteria:
- Has not had a URI (assessed by asking patient if they have had fever, cough, sore
throat, nasal congestion, or runny nose) within one month of study session
We found this trial at
1
site
550 1st Ave
New York, New York 10016
New York, New York 10016
(212) 263-7300
Principal Investigator: Eric Voigt, MD
New York University Langone Medical Center NYU NYU Langone Medical Center, a world-class, patient-centered, integrated,...
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