Predicting hearing sensitivity and audiometric slope for mentally retarded persons.

The sensitivity prediction from the acoustic reflex (SPAR) test was administered to 90 subjects who were classified according to four levels of mental retardation and five levels of hearing sensitivity. SPAR results showed accurate hearing level prediction for 58% of the subjects, one-category errors for 29%, and two- or three-category errors for 13%. Audiometric slope predictions were also made and were accurate 58% of the subjects. SPAR results indicated that the greater the hearing loss, the less likely that normal hearing would be predicted. Hearing level predictions for the retarded population were of comparable accuracy but slightly poorer than those previously reported for the nonretarded. The SPAR is suggested as a useful addition to the audiologist's repertoire, particularly for retarded individuals who are difficult to test.