Application of clinical decision analysis to audiological tests

This paper is the first in a series of three concerning audiological tests and test batteries designed to differentiate cochlear from retrocochlear site-of-lesion. This paper concentrates on the techniques of clinical decision analysis with particular application to audiology. Those principles of clinical decision analysis which are most relevant for the audiologist are presented. Several techniques for measuring test performance are described and evaluated. In addition, this paper considers the problem of comparing test performance to determine the superior test.