Extended high-frequency audiometry: hearing thresholds in adults.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine hearing thresholds in an otologically normal population without occupational noise exposure aged 18 to 64 years using extended high-frequency audiometry (EHFA). METHODS: Individuals from the general population who have never had hearing problems and whose job was not associated with noise exposure were included in the study and classified by age into 5 categories: 18-24 and, further, by 10 years of age. Each of these groups was further divided according to gender. All subjects underwent tympanometry, conventional pure-tone audiometry within the 0.125-8 kHz range, and extended high-frequency audiometry within the 9-16 kHz range, performed according to the standards. The significance level for statistical testing was set at 5%. RESULTS: Here, we established hearing thresholds in an otologically healthy population within the extended high-frequency (EHF) range (9-16 kHz). We found the EHFA to be a highly sensitive method for early detection of hearing loss, with hearing thresholds decreasing as soon as 35 years of age. In males, the hearing thresholds grew with age more rapidly than in women. The ability to respond at EHF gradually decreased with age and increasing frequency. CONCLUSION: Our results can help improve the knowledge of EHF hearing thresholds for individual sexes and age groups. So far, the standard 7029:2017 is not binding and, moreover, it only reaches up to the frequency of 12.5 kHz. EHFA is a highly sensitive method for the evaluation of hearing loss depending on age and sex.

High-Frequency Audiometry in Women with and without Exposure to Workplace Noise.

For this study, high-frequency audiometry was used to compare the hearing thresholds, with respect to age, among women exposed to noise in their working environment, as well as those not exposed to such noise. The cohort comprised 243 women (average age 36.2 years), of which 88 women were employed in a noisy (LAeq,8h 85-105 dB) workplace, while 155 women did not experience noise. Age categories were determined according to the World Health Organization (Geneva, Switzerland). Hearing thresholds were measured at frequencies of 0.125-16 kHz. Higher hearing thresholds were found in the youngest age groups (18-29 and 30-44 years) among those exposed to noise, as compared to those who were not. The difference in hearing thresholds between the exposed and unexposed groups increased with age, as well as with the frequencies. The highest difference in hearing thresholds for these age categories was measured at 11.25 kHz. The oldest age group (45-63 years) exposed to noise showed lower hearing thresholds than the unexposed group at all frequencies from 4 kHz to 16 kHz. High-frequency audiometry can be used for the early detection of increased hearing thresholds at high frequencies. High-frequency audiometry could be included in preventive programs, especially for younger people exposed to noise, in order to enable earlier detection of noise-induced hearing loss.

High-Frequency Audiometry for Early Detection of Hearing Loss: A Narrative Review.

The WHO considers hearing loss to be a major global problem. A literature search was conducted to see whether high-frequency audiometry (HFA) could be used for the early detection of hearing loss. A further aim was to see whether any differences exist in the hearing threshold using conventional audiometry (CA) and HFA in workers of different age groups exposed to workplace noise. Our search of electronic databases yielded a total of 5938 scientific papers. The inclusion criteria were the keywords "high frequency" and "audiometry" appearing anywhere in the article and the participation of unexposed people or a group exposed to workplace noise. Fifteen studies met these conditions; the sample size varied (51-645 people), and the age range of the people studied was 5-90 years. Commercial high-frequency audiometers and high-frequency headphones were used. In populations unexposed to workplace noise, significantly higher thresholds of 14-16 kHz were found. In populations with exposure to workplace noise, significantly higher statistical thresholds were found for the exposed group (EG) compared with the control group (CG) at frequencies of 9-18 kHz, especially at 16 kHz. The studies also showed higher hearing thresholds of 10-16 kHz in respondents aged under 31 years following the use of personal listening devices (PLDs) for longer than 5 years. The effect of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) first became apparent for HFA rather than CA. However, normative data have not yet been collected. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a uniform evaluation protocol accounting for age, sex, comorbidities and exposures, as well as for younger respondents using PLDs.

The Importance of Screening for Hearing Loss in the Elderly.

<b>Aim:</b> The aim was to compare hearing loss between men and women over 65 in pure tone audiometry and to evaluate the sensitivity of the abbreviated version of the Hearing Handicap Inventory (HHIE-S). This questionnaire highlights hearing handicaps in understanding speech. </br></br><b> Materials and Methods:</b> The data was collected in the years 2011-2015 from respondents above 18 years of age using a standar-dized HHIE-S questionnaire and specialized tests. The cohort was divided into groups based on the severity of hearing loss in the better ear according to the World Health Organization (WHO) as measured by tone threshold audiometry at 500 Hertz (Hz), 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz. </br></br> <b> Results:</b> Of the 7070 people (61.8% female and 38.2% male), 68.93% had hearing impairment. Most people had a slight he-aring loss. Based on HHIE-S, 56.94% reported impaired hearing. A statistically significant difference was found between the genders, but according to HHIE-S, females with impaired hearing were not statistically significantly more numerous than males. The diagnostic sensitivity of the HHIE-S was assessed in particular by its sensitivity (75.43%) and specificity (82.53%). The probability that a person has a hearing impairment when the HHIE-S test is positive is 90.21%. </br></br> <b> Conclusions:</b> The HHIE-S is fast, inexpensive and short, and can be included as a screening test for hearing impairment in ca-ring for the elderly. Even a minor hearing impairment can be a significant handicap in elderly patients by restricting not only social interactions but also weakening mental functioning.