Occupational hearing loss: Screening with distortion-product otoacoustic emissions

Abstract

Hearing assessment of applicants for occupational hearing loss compensation can be a time-consuming process. An accurate screening procedure that is sensitive to occupational hearing loss may have application in many situations. The present study developed distortin-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) screening criteria to identify subjects likely to meet the Hong Kong requirements for occupational hearing loss compensation, namely a bilateral sensorineural loss ≥ 40 dB HL (average of 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz). The screening criteria of 1500 and/ or 2000 Hz, with a signal-to-noise ratio of >0 of 3 dB, yielded high sensitivity and specificity. DPOAE measures therefore have the potential to accurately indicate possible occupational hearing loss. However DPOAEs should be used as a screening tool only, as conventional pure-tone audiometry remains the more comprehensive measure of hearing sensitivity.