Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1999 Aug;42(8):955-960.

Efficacy of Audiologic Tests in the Differential Diagnosis of Cochlear and Retrocochlear Hearing Loss

• Kim H
• Lee YS
• Chung JW
• Yoon TH
• Lee KS

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are many audiological tests to distinguish between the hearing loss patients of cochlear lesion and the retrocochlear lesion. We started this research to compare the efficacy of the audiological tests and to make helpful selections of the auditory hearing tests in diagnosis of the sensorineural hearing loss patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Our study was conducted on 198 patients with hearing loss. They received otologic physical examination, neurological examination, and MRI. We evaluated SISI, STAT, ARDT, DPOAE, and ABR data values and analysed their sensitivity and specificity.
RESULTS
Sensitivity of SISI was 55% and specificity was 74%. Sensitivity of STAT was 58% and specificity was 67%. Sensitivity of ARDT was 44% and specificity was 71%. Sensitivity of DPOAE was 50% and specificity was 64%. Sensitivity of ABR was 90% and specificity was 74%.
CONCLUSION
Among the tests performed above, ABR showed the highest sensitivity and specificity value, which implies it to be the most meaningful screening test in the sensorineural hearing loss patients. But for the patients with severe hearing loss, such that the auditory hearing test results are suspicious in its accuracy, or for the patients who are suspicious of retrocochlear lesions based upon multiple tests, MRI should be performed to make the final diagnosis.

Keyword

Sensorineural hearing loss; Retrocochlear lesion; Auditory brainstem response; Magnetic resonance imaging

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential*
Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem
Hearing Loss
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural
Hearing Tests
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Mass Screening
Neurologic Examination
Physical Examination
Retrocochlear Diseases*
Sensitivity and Specificity