Occupational hearing loss: screening with distortion-product otoacoustic emissions

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 distortion-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 greater than or equal to 40dB HL (average of 1000, 2000 and 3000Hz). The screening criteria of 1500 and/or 2000 Hz, with a signal-to-noise ratio of >0 or 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.