Abstract
This paper reports our clinical experiences with the electrical high frequency audiometer (EHFA) - Tonndorf, used in conjunction with conventional audiologic site of lesion testing. The EHFA is routinely used in the site of lesion hearing evaluation battery. We are reporting on the first 100 subjects, aged 6-85 years, seen in otologic/neurotologic consultation for complaint(s) of hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, ear blockage alone and/or in combination from 1983 to 1985. The significance of the data obtained suggests that: (1) Patient responses with EHFA are influenced by age, degree of hearing loss, degree of ear disease, site of lesion and disease, noise exposure and ototoxicity. (2) The degree of hearing loss as well as symmetry (asymmetry) of the loss affect the EHFA responses. (3) Responses to EHFA can be correlated with subject group classification. Five groups were well defined based upon degree and symmetry (asymmetry) of the hearing loss. (4) Electrical high-frequency audiograms (EHFAs) can be classified into five different patterns of response. (5) EHFA should be part of a site-of-lesion audiometry test battery.
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