[Audiobase--a computer system for monitoring and analyzing audiometric data in clinical and ambulatory practice]

The amount of data in the field of otorhinolaryngology has rapidly increased in proportion to the growing number of patients. It is a very important issue to preserve their records and make them easily available. Authors present a computer-based system for monitoring audiometric data of hearing impaired persons named Audiobase. The main elements of this system as: the personal data, otoscopic and audiometric examination have been described. This system was created to be used by staff without computer skills and therefore is largely "icon-driven". The main functions include patient record creation, update, and retrieval, as well as the generating of reports and graphical presentations. The system has already provided useful research material and is now beginning to fulfill an even more important role in patient follow-up and in evaluation of alternative treatment protocols.