Presbyacusis

Abstract

Sixty presbyacutic ears (30 subjects) were studied with forward and reverse sweep frequency technique between 125–8000 Hz using a Grason-Stadler Model E 800 audiometer. The sweeps with continuous tones gave slightly better threshold values in forward than in reverse direction at middle and high frequencies, the situation being opposite at low frequencies. The starting direction (125 or 8000 Hz) did not affect the results. For interrupted stimuli the thresholds were overlapping. None of the ears showed abnormal fatigability and the amplitude of threshold tracings suggested the absence of recruitment. Thus, degenerative changes in the end organ or in the ganglion cells due to presbyacusis do not cause abnormal separation of forward and reverse sweep frequency tracings.

Notes

This work was supported by a grant from the National Research Council for Medical Sciences.