title: Prediction of hearing loss from acoustic-reflex thresholds in the older adult population.
abstract: The clinical applicability of prediction of hearing loss in 126 ears of 83 adults more than 44 years of age was investigated. The method of hearing-loss prediction was based on that proposed by Silman, Silverman, Showers, and Gelfand (J Speech Hear Res 1984;27:12-9). This method, which utilized the acoustic reflex thresholds for hearing-loss prediction, was modified to create a more clinically feasible procedure; 5 dB rather than 1 dB intensity increments and visual monitoring of needle deflection rather than the use of a graphic level recorder were used. This modified method yielded a high predictive accuracy for at least mild and/or high-frequency hearing impairment. Criteria based on acoustic-reflex threshold levels were developed to identify the presence of significant hearing loss (pure-tone average = or greater than 30 dB HL) in adults more than 44 years of age. The results have implications for hearing screenings for the difficult-to-test population such as the elderly.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012022:Reflex, Acoustic