Conventional audiometry, extended high-frequency audiometry, and dpoae for early diagnosis of NIHL

Abstract

Background: Noise most frequently afects hearing system, as it may typically cause a bilateral, progressive sensorineural hearing loss at high frequencies. Objectives: This study was designed to compare three diferent methods to evaluate noise-induced hearing loss (conventional audiometry, high-frequency audiometry, and distortion product otoacoustic emission). Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Data was analyzed by SPSS (ver.19) using chi square, T test and repeated measures analysis. Study samples were workers from tile and ceramic industry. Results: We found that conventional audiometry, extended high-frequency audiometry, low-tone distortion product otoacoustic emission and high-tone distortion product otoacoustic emission had abnormal fndings in 29%, 69%, 22%, and 52% of participants. Most frequently afected frequencies were 4000 and 6000Hz in conventional audiometry, and 14000 and 16000 in extended high-frequency audiometry. Conclusions: Extended high-frequency audiometry was the most sensitive test for detection of hearing loss in workers exposed to Audiometry; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous; Hearing Loss; Noise. © 2013, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal.