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Abstract
The average asymmetry between the hearing threshold levels in the left and right ears was analyzed in a random population (n = 3487) representing a normal population. Males and females of age groups 5–10 years, 15–50 years and over 50 years were analyzed separately. A significant average inferiority of the hearing in the left ear was found at high frequencies, especially at 3–6 kHz, among adult males and females but not among children. A slight but statistically significant average superiority of the left ear at low frequencies was noted in all age groups. At corresponding hearing threshold levels at 4 kHz, the average inferiority of the left ear in the male population was significantly greater among subjects aged 15–50 years than among older subjects. In conclusion, the inferiority of hearing in the left ear at 4 kHz seems to be associated more with noise damage than with presbyacusis. The average interaural difference at 4 kHz was significantly more marked among subjects aged 15–50 years than among older subjects when analyzed at the corresponding threshold levels. These findings indicate a pathophysiological difference between noise damage and presbyacusis.
