A Study of Web and Tablet-based Interactive Audiometry in Adults With CF

Adults with CF regularly receive anti-infective therapy that can result in impaired hearing. Recent studies have identified that up to 50% of adults with CF have hearing loss with resulting significant impact on quality of life. At present, however, there is no national recommendation to screen for hearing loss within adult CF. Formal hearing tests are costly, require specialist staff and equipment and require further outpatient visits resulting in significant impact on health, social and financial resource. We propose to analyse over a 12 month period at two adult cystic fibrosis centres in London whether outpatient tablet based audiometry testing and web-based hearing apps are able to accurately screen for ototoxicity in adults with CF, and whether these methods of screening are acceptable. The results of this study will aim to streamline audiometry screening to improve detection rates, reduce cost of healthcare, enable equity in service delivery, and minimize disruption to the patient's social and work-life using smart technology.