Otosclerosis classically presents with conductive deafness. However, mainly in older patients or those with a progressive (active) form of this disease, it presents with elevated bone conduction (BC) thresholds. In many cases, an elevation in the BC threshold during otosclerosis is not a true indicator of ‘cochlear reserve’ and this apparent loss can be corrected by surgery. It is generally accepted that in those patients, elevated BC thresholds are not due to pure sensorineural hearing loss but to the Carhart effect. Speech discrimination tests are routinely done, and the results of these tests determine if a patient is a good candidate for surgery. In most institutions, those with poor speech discrimination scores are considered to be poor candidates due to inadequate cochlear reserve. Using hearing-aid-assisted pure-tone audiometry, we developed an accurate method to identify suitable candidates for surgery among the patients with elevated BC thresholds. This method is meant to complement speech discrimination tests in predicting the success of surgery in those patients. Different variables render speech discrimination tests unreliable in many patients. The rationale behind the current study was the lack of an easy and accurate clinical method to determine if a patient has a good cochlear reserve, and to predict the postoperative hearing threshold outcome.

Keywords:
Aided air pure-tone thresholds, Bone conduction thresholds, Carhart’s notch, Cochlear reserve, Otosclerosis
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel
2010
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.