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Problems in assessing the audiogram in patients with severe hearing impairment
M Giles1, G G Browning, S G Gatehouse
1Department of Otolaryngology, Waikato Base Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand.
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|August 1, 1996
Summary
Severe hearing impairment (SHI) presents challenges in audiological assessments. This study highlights difficulties in interpreting pure tone audiograms for patients with SHI, impacting diagnosis and treatment planning.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Severe hearing impairment (SHI) is defined by specific air conduction thresholds.
- Assessing pure tone audiograms in SHI can be difficult due to masking challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the audiological assessment challenges in patients with severe hearing impairment.
- To determine the frequency of difficulties in interpreting audiograms for SHI patients.
Main Methods:
- An audiological survey was conducted on 83 patients diagnosed with severe hearing impairment.
- Audiograms were analyzed to identify difficulties in determining air-bone gaps and hearing ear status.
Main Results:
- In 16% of patients, audiogram interpretation was straightforward.
- 28% showed audiograms consistent with, but not proving, an air-bone gap in the poorer ear.
- In 30% of cases, the better hearing ear could not be identified, and 27% had an unexcluded profound sensorineural impairment in the poorer ear.
Conclusions:
- Severe hearing impairment poses significant challenges for accurate audiological assessment.
- Difficulties in audiogram interpretation have implications for otologists in diagnosing and managing SHI patients.