Long-term measurements using home audiometry with Békésy's technique.

Long-term measurements using home audiometry with Békésy's technique.

Int J Audiol. 2016 Sep 23;:1-10

Authors: Brännström KJ, Grenner J

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of fixed-frequency Békésy's home audiometry to assess hearing fluctuation and treatment outcomes in patients with subjectively fluctuating hearing loss.
DESIGN: SMAPH, a software audiometry program for Windows, was installed and calibrated on laptop computers. Békésy's audiometry was carried out daily in the patients' homes, using sound-attenuating earphones.
STUDY SAMPLE: Seventeen patients with previously or currently subjectively fluctuating hearing loss. Five patients received of treatment for their conditions during the measurement period.
RESULTS: Measurement periods ranged from 6 to 60 days. Varying degrees of compliance were seen, some patients measuring less than 50% of the days, others measuring every day. Based on their long-term measurements the patients were classified into three groups: patients with stable recordings, with fluctuating low-frequency hearing loss, or with fluctuating high-frequency hearing loss. In the patients with stable recordings, significant test-retest differences were seen below 10 dB at frequencies 0.125-8 kHz.
CONCLUSIONS: Home audiometry with Békésy's technique can be used to evaluate disease activity and to monitor hearing results after therapy.

PMID: 27662509 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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