High-frequency audiometric changes after stapedectomy

It is possible that, when the labyrinth is opened in stapedectomy, some form of alteration may occur within it, even if it is not detected postoperatively by routine audiometry. Injuries against the inner ear usually impair the hearing at the highest frequencies. We can assess bone-conduction hearing up to 20 kHz by means of a high-frequency audiometer. Twenty-five patients were examined with conventional and high-frequency audiometry (HFA) before and after successful stapedectomy. Conventional audiometry showed a good postoperative improvement in the low and middle frequencies. HFA showed a lowering of the auditory thresholds above 8 kHz in 20 patients (83.4%), which was not evident with conventional audiometry because it occurred above its upper frequency limit. HFA is a very valuable means of assessing the results of ear surgery, and can be used to compare different surgical techniques.