The Metz-Test (Comparison with the ABLB-Test, the SISI-Test, and Békésy Audiometry)

Abstract

The Metz-test is based on elicitation of the bilateral stapedius reflex. The stapedial reflex is elicited by acoustic stimulation in the ear to be examined and measured by impedancce meter in the contralateral ear. In the normal ear, the reflex threshold is 50-90 dB above the hearing threshold. In the ear with loudness recruitment, however, the difference between the threshold for hearing and the threshold for induction of the stapedius reflex reduces.
In the present study forty-seven patients suffering from neurolabyrinthopathy were subjected to examine recruitment by the following methods: the Metz-test, SISI-test, Békésy audiometry, and with the unilateral hearing loss patients, ABLB-test. Sixteen ears showed the unilateral hearing loss and sixty-two ears bilateral hearing loss.
As the result, there was the almost complete agreement among the Metz-test, ABLB-test, SISI-test and Békésy audiometry in the patients showing recruitment. The Metz-test showed the highest degree of validity among all the the tests. Furthermore, the method is objective and does not require the subject's collaboration, and it can be used in the cases of bilateral hearing loss.