Reassessment of high-frequency air-bone gaps in older adults

In order to assess whether a high-frequency air-bone gap characteristically exists in older adults, air- and bone-conduction thresholds were measured for 147 ears from subjects ranging in age from 19 to 87 years. Results indicated that there were no apparent age-related effects, as evidenced by the mean data, the SDs, and scatterplots showing individual data points. However, a small number of older adults did have high-frequency air-bone gaps. In order to gain a better understanding of underlying causes, additional subjects over 50 years of age with high-frequency air-bone gaps were recruited. Ear-canal collapse did not appear to be a predominant underlying factor. Cerumen obstruction, healed tympanic membrane perforations, and an apparent loosening in the middle-ear system all were observed in ears with high-frequency air-bone gaps.