Toward a standard description of hearing loss

Abstract

Hearing losses are frequently described by categories that characterize the configuration, severity, and site of lesion from a pure-tone audiogram. Although many category descriptors are in common use, there are no standard definitions of those terms, nor have the category definitions been validated against current clinical practice. The development and validation of AMCLASStrade mark is described. To validate the classification method, five expert judges selected configuration, severity, and site of lesion categories for 231 audiograms that varied widely in audiometric configuration. Interjudge comparisons indicated that expert judges frequently disagree on how they describe an audiogram. Category definitions were adjusted to maximize agreement between AMCLASStrade mark and the consensus of the judges. The final set of category definitions produced categories that agreed with the consensus more often than the average agreement between pairs of judges.

Using cluster analysis to classify audiogram shapes

“…Before diagnosis and treatment for hearing loss, however, it has not been available yet for standard defi nition of audiogram shapes until AMCLASS TM arrived. This fresh tool provided the standard and thorough description not only for the severity of hearing loss but also for the recognition of audiogram shapes (Margolis & Saly, 2007). In order to go on with more sophisticated and astute concerns about AMCLASS TM , the purpose of this study was to devise a statistical classifi cation of audiogram shapes to improve and integrate shape recognition.…”

Distribution of Hearing Loss Characteristics in a Clinical Population

“…The rules were designed to maximize agreement between AMCLASS outcomes and the classifications of a panel of five expert judges (see Margolis & Saly, 2007 for a more detailed description).…”

“…In a previous report (Margolis & Saly, 2007) we presented a system for categorizing audiometric configuration, severity, and site of lesion that was validated against the classifications provided by a panel of expert judges. That study revealed high disagreement rates among expert judges in categorizing audiograms.…”

Are Results of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy Maintained over Time?

“…Six patients had normal hearing while the remaining hearing profiles were troughed (5), peaked (3), flat (5), sloping (21), and rising (4) (descriptions are in accordance with AMCLASS TM ; automated classification of audiograms) [Margolis and Saly, 2007]; 5 patients also had hyperacusis.…”