ABSTRACT
The measurement of bone-conduction thresholds is an integral part of audiologic evaluation. The relationship between bone-conduction and air-conduction thresholds is the differentiating diagnostic indicator between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. At the same time, the influence of middle ear and inner ear structures upon the bone-conduction response has been well documented. We present two cases illustrating this influence and attempt to explain the clinical bone-conduction thresholds with operative findings.
Subject(s)
Bone Conduction , Ear, Inner/pathology , Ear, Middle/pathology , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/diagnosis , Otosclerosis/pathology , Acoustic Impedance Tests , Adult , Audiometry , Audiometry, Evoked Response , Ear, Middle/surgery , Female , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/rehabilitation , Humans , Ossicular Prosthesis , Otosclerosis/surgery , Stapedius/pathology , Stapedius/surgery , Stapes SurgeryABSTRACT
Recent reports have established that the ring of a cordless telephone is sufficient to produce hearing loss. In the present study, the intensity and frequency spectrum of the ring signal for three cordless telephones known to be involved in reported cases of acoustic trauma are presented. The potential hazard to hearing is reviewed, the implications for the pediatric community discussed, and the recommendation made that unmodified cordless telephones be kept out of the reach of children.
