title: Three-dimensional audiogram.
abstract: We used a three-dimensional audiogram which displays duration of the disease on the X-axis, frequency on the Y-axis, and hearing level on the Z-axis, to aid observation of hearing changes during the course of various otologic diseases. An overall, quantitative view of the changes in a patient's hearing level with time was easily obtainable with this technique, as the temporal element is shown on the X-axis. The basal view position of the three-dimensional audiogram displays most of the information necessary to form a diagnosis, determine treatment, and evaluate is efficacy in various otologic diseases. The three-dimensional audiogram was found to be most useful in observing changes in hearing level in sudden deafness, with its often rapid recovery period, and Meniere's disease, with its long-term fluctuating hearing loss. In some patients, a better understanding of the hearing changes could be obtained from a view angle other than the basal view position.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saeki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kitahara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001299:Audiometry / Q000379:methods*; D001844:Bone Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D006312:Hearing Loss, Bilateral / Q000503:physiopathology; D006316:Hearing Loss, High-Frequency / Q000503:physiopathology; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted