Related Experiment Videos
Predicting binaural hearing after stapedectomy from presurgery results
J W Hall1, J H Grose, H C Pillsbury
1Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599-7070.
Archives of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery
|August 1, 1990
Summary
Binaural hearing often improves after otosclerosis surgery, but some patients retain poor binaural function. Pre-surgery tests poorly predict post-surgery binaural masking-level difference (BMDL) outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Otosclerosis can affect binaural hearing even after successful stapedectomy.
- Normal pure-tone thresholds post-surgery do not guarantee normal binaural function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if pre-surgery tests predict post-stapedectomy binaural masking-level difference (BMDL) performance.
- To analyze binaural hearing changes in otosclerosis patients after stapedectomy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized pre-surgery tests with equal sound pressure level and sensation level stimulation.
- Assessed post-stapedectomy binaural masking-level difference (BMDL) test performance.
Main Results:
- Binaural hearing generally improved post-stapedectomy.
- Some patients exhibited persistent abnormal binaural hearing despite normal post-surgery pure-tone thresholds.
- Pre-surgery test predictions of post-surgery BMDL were often inaccurate, tending to underestimate outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Stapedectomy can improve binaural hearing in otosclerosis patients.
- Predicting post-stapedectomy binaural function using pre-surgery tests is challenging.
- Auditory deprivation and acoustic crossover may explain persistent binaural deficits.