Audiometric Records Analysis in a Clinical Population in China

Abstract

Objective:The objective of this study was to characterize the typical hearing loss presenting at a clinical audiology center.Methods: Audiometric records for 8,032 cases were obtained from the database at Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University. Based on this information, age distribution, audiometric configuration, type, degree and asymmetry of hearing loss were characterized. Results: Results showed that 48.4% of all cases of hearing loss occurred from 31 to 60 years of age, sloping hearing loss was the most common audiometric configuration, and sensorineural hearing loss dominated the type of hearing loss for both males and females. Mean pure-tone hearing thresholds revealed significant differences between genders, that is, thresholds for females were poorer than those for males from 250 to 1,000 Hz, whereas thresholds for males were poorer than those for females from 2,000 to 8,000 Hz. Analysis showed that 57.3% of audiograms showed some degree of asymmetry. No significant difference was found between genders for the average asymmetric thresholds. Conclusion: This study provides the characteristics of age distribution, audiometric configuration, type, degree and asymmetry of hearing loss from a representative clinical audiology center. These data are useful for public policy efforts involving hearing loss prevention and rehabilitative program development.

Genetic Load of Alternations of Transcription Factor Genes in Non-Syndromic Deafness and the Associated Clinical Phenotypes: Experience from Two Tertiary Referral Centers

“…Hearing levels (HLs) were determined by averaging the hearing thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz of the PTA and were categorized as mild (25–40 dB HL), moderate (41–55 dB HL), moderately severe (56–70 dB HL), severe (71–90 dB HL), or profound (>91 dB HL) [ 7 , 8 ]. The audiograms were classified into four categories according to their configuration: flat, down-sloping, rising, or U-shaped [ 9 , 10 ]. Audiograms were defined as flat if the thresholds across frequencies did not differ from each other by >20 dB.…”

“…Audiograms were defined as U-shaped if one or more adjacent thresholds between 0.5 kHz and 4 kHz was >20 dB compared to the poorer threshold of 0.25 kHz or 8 kHz. Asymmetric hearing loss was defined as an interaural difference >10 dB in the threshold average of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz, with the HL of the better-hearing ear being worse than 25 dB HL [ 9 , 11 ]. Radiological evaluation of the middle ear, inner ear, and internal acoustic canal (IAC) included temporal bone computed tomography (CT) and internal acoustic canal magnetic resonance imaging (IAC MRI).…”

Audiometric data analysis for prevention of noise‐induced hearing loss: A new approach

“…33 Symmetry NIHL is typically a symmetrical disease process, but the asymmetric progression is not uncommon-for reasons that are not clearly understood. 3,9,34 Age and health In audiograms of older employees who may have presbycusis combined with NIHL, it may be difficult to objectively distinguish the latter from the former. 11 Certain pre-existing medical conditions and personal behaviors such as cigarette smoking (still highly prevalent in working populations) influence susceptibility to hearing loss.…”