High-frequency audiometry. Normative studies and preliminary experiences.

A new, commercial high-frequency audiometer, Demlar 20K, for measuring hearing thresholds between 8 and 20 kHz has been used routinely in different patient groups and in a control population over the past 3 years. Test-retest studies have shown that this instrument can be used in the clinic with approximately the same degree of reproducibility as in conventional audiometry. While inter-subject variation is comparatively large, repeated evaluations can be performed in individual cases with an acceptable degree of reliability. This techniques can be helpful in differentiating between noise damage and presbycusis. Pre- and post-operative high-frequency audiometry may prove to be of value in the assessment of middle ear surgical techniques.