Abstract
A new simple method to detect functional hearing loss cases from other organic hearing loss cases using an air conduction pure-tone audiometer was presented.
One hundred twelve cases of functional hearing loss underwent pure-tone audiometry test. Pure-tone audiometry test was performed firstly using 7 pulse pure-tones at 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz, 4000Hz, and 8000Hz and then, using 7 continuous pure-tones. Thresholds of pulse and continuous tone were compared at each frequency, and the numbers of frequencies with 10dB or more threshold difference were counted. The number was scored as positive when the threshold measured with continuous pure-tone was better than those measured with pulse pure-tone. On the contrary, the number was scored as negative when the pulse pure-tone threshold was better than that of continuous pure-tone. Finally, each ear was classified from 7 to -7, and the score, which is larger in the absolute number, was represented as case score. The average case score of functional hearing loss (3 plus minus 3, average plus minus SD) was significantly larger than the case score of control (-0.3 plus minus 0.9) (p<0.001; Mann-Whitney test). Functional hearing loss is highly suspected, when the case score shows larger than 2.
