HHIE-S (Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly – Screening) is designed to detect the impact of hearing loss on:
- A Degree of threshold elevation at 4 kHz
- B Pure-tone average at 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz
- C Social and emotional consequences of hearing loss ✓
- D Central auditory processing deficit
Correct answer: C. Social and emotional consequences of hearing loss
Explanation
The HHIE-S is a 10-item self-assessment questionnaire used in screening elderly patients for hearing disability, focused specifically on social and emotional consequences (difficulty following conversations, embarrassment, isolation) rather than purely audiometric thresholds. A score ≥10 indicates a significant handicap warranting formal audiological referral. It is validated for use in primary care settings where formal audiometry is unavailable.
Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.