Evaluation of the nonorganic hearing loss suspect.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the utility of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) in the assessment of the nonorganic suspect because DPOAE analysis constitutes an objective test of hair-cell function that yields audiometriclike data.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective study of clinical findings.

SETTING

Audiology outpatient clinic of our university's medical center.

PATIENTS: The study cohort comprised 30 patients who presented with a profile of suspicion for nonorganic hearing loss. Most cases were found, with the aid of DPOAE testing, to be nonorganic or to have nonorganic overlays to organic hearing loss.

INTERVENTIONS: Interventions were diagnostic only.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Observed audiometric findings and changes thereof.

RESULTS

Statistically significant decreases in thresholds occurred in subgroups of those cases deemed to be truly nonorganic in origin.

CONCLUSIONS

Especially considering test efficiency, the results support the inclusion of DPOAE analysis in the diagnostic management of the suspect-nonorganic patient.