Evaluating The Generalizability Of Deep Learning Image Classification Algorithms To Detect Middle Ear Disease Using Otoscopy

It is estimated that over 1.5 billion people in the world live with hearing loss, representing nearly 20% of the global population. Otoscopy is an important component of ear health and hearing assessments to identify ear infections, however, the ability to accurately interpret otoscopic findings varies by user experience. Recent studies have demonstrated that diagnostic accuracy is reduced when non-experts must differentiate between multiple ear disease sub-types. Otolaryngologists significantly outperformed non-otolaryngologists to identify ear disease sub-types and important pathological characteristics. Accurately recognising middle ear diseases is important for early diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss.