title: Using cluster analysis to classify audiogram shapes.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to design a statistical classification system of audiogram shapes in order to improve and integrate shape recognition across clinical settings. The study included 1633 adult subjects with normal hearing or symmetric sensorineural hearing impairment who underwent pure-tone audiometry between July 2007 and December 2008. K-means cluster analysis was employed to categorize audiometric shapes. Eleven audiogram shapes were identified: rising, flat, peaked 8-kHz dip, 4-kHz dip, 8-kHz dip, mild sloping, severe 8-kHz dip, sloping, abrupt loss, severe sloping, and profound abrupt loss. By using the classification system and nomenclature identified for audiogram shapes as outlined in this study, errors based on personal experiences can be reduced and a consistency can be developed across clinics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Yung
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Juen-Haur
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Szu-Jen
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Tien-Chen
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone / Q000592:standards; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013624:Taiwan; D009626:Terminology as Topic