Portable automated rapid testing for auditory assessment: repeated at-home testing in older adults

Introduction Hearing challenges are prevalent in older adults and are associated with age-related cognitive decline. However, measuring age-related changes in hearing faces critical barriers related to accessibility and scalability. High-fidelity tests of central auditory functions are often unavailable to the individuals for whom auditory monitoring is most critical, particularly older adults. Methods This study evaluated the feasibility and reliability of remotely administered assessments of auditory processing, delivered via the Portable Automated Rapid Testing (PART) platform, to measure hearing at home in older adults. Sixty older adult participants completed the study remotely with equipment mailed to their homes. They completed tasks across two separate timepoints assessing peripheral hearing as well as central auditory functions consisting of frequency modulation detection, speech-in-noise perception and spatial release from masking. Results Most tasks in the PART platform exhibited moderate-to-high test-retest reliability and a high degree of acceptability. Findings suggested that PART is a promising tool for accessible auditory assessment. Discussion PART is a promising tool for accessible auditory assessment in older adults. Future research should explore how central auditory processes relate to aging and cognitive health.