A Critique of the Stenger Test

Andrew Bell1, Myriam Westcott2, W Wiktor Jedrzejczak3,4

  • 1Eccles Institute of Neuroscience, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.

Audiology Research
|September 22, 2025
PubMed
Summary

The Stenger test, used for single-sided deafness, may be unscientific and ethically questionable. It might reflect genuine auditory system responses rather than malingering, suggesting a need for re-evaluation or abolition.

Related Concept Videos

Sign Test for Matched Pairs01:17

Sign Test for Matched Pairs

The sign test for matched pairs offers a robust method for comparing two paired samples, often for the effects of an intervention in one of them. This method is very useful in situations where the underlying distribution of the data is unknown. The test compares two related samples—often pre- and post-treatment measurements on the same subjects—to determine if there are significant differences in their median values.
To conduct the sign test, we first calculate the differences in...
383
Exercise Stress Test01:26

Exercise Stress Test

Introduction
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes
1.2K
Comparing Experimental Results: Student's t-Test01:09

Comparing Experimental Results: Student's t-Test

The t-test is a statistical method used to compare the sample mean with a population mean or compare two means from two data sets. The test statistic is calculated from the standard deviation, mean, and number of measurements in the data set at a selected confidence interval and then compared to a table of critical values at this confidence level. If the test statistic is smaller than the critical value, the null hypothesis is accepted. In this case, we state that the difference between the...
5.0K
Non-destructive Tests for Concrete Strength01:12

Non-destructive Tests for Concrete Strength

The rebound hammer test, also known as the Schmidt hammer test, is a non-destructive technique for evaluating the hardness of concrete and, indirectly, the strength of concrete. It operates on the principle that the rebound of a spring-driven mass from a concrete surface correlates to the surface's hardness. The device comprises a mass within a tubular housing, a spring mechanism, and a plunger that strikes the concrete. Upon release, the energy imparted to the mass by the spring causes it...
501
Significance Testing: Overview01:04

Significance Testing: Overview

Significance testing is a set of statistical methods used to test whether a claim about a parameter is valid. In analytical chemistry, significance testing is used primarily to determine whether the difference between two values comes from determinate or random errors. The effect of a particular change in the measurement protocol, analyst, or sample itself can cause a deviation from the expected result. In the case of a suspected deviation/outlier, we need to be able to confirm mathematically...
11.5K
Introduction to the Sign Test01:10

Introduction to the Sign Test

The sign test is an important tool in nonparametric statistics, offering a straightforward yet effective method for analyzing matched pairs, nominal data, or hypotheses concerning the median of a population. It transforms data points into positive or negative signs, avoiding the need for assumptions about data distribution and instead focusing on the direction of change. It is particularly valuable when data does not conform to the normal distribution requirements of many parametric tests. For...
1.3K