Speech and Hearing Sciences ETDs

Publication Date

7-27-1976

Abstract

Numerous investigators have utilized Bekesy audiometry in the detection of nonorganic hearing loss. The efficiency with which Bekesy audiometry detects nonorganicity has varied according to the method of Bekesy test administration and the definition of the Type V nonorganic pattern. Rintelmann and Harford’s Type V definition and the LOT- (Lengthened Off-Time) Bekesy test have emerged as valuable nonorganicity detectors. However, more recent research (Citron & Reddell, 1976; Sedge, 1974) has found these methods to be considerably less worthwhile than originally reported, The first purpose of this study was to devise an efficient means for utilizing Bekesy audiometry in the detection of nonorganicity. Atypical Type V criteria as evidence of nonorganicity were proposed and investigated. Additionally, the atypical Type V definition was compared with LOT-Bekesy audiometry and Rintelmann and Harford's typical Type V definition for frequency of nonorganicity detection and frequency of false-positive findings. The study was carried out in three parts. In Part I, Bekesy audiograms traced by "known" nonorganics were retrospectively analyzed to discover the percentage which could be classified as atypical and/or typical Type V. Part II compared the atypical Type V definition, Rintelmann and Harford's typical Type V criteria, and LOT-Bekesy audiometry for frequency of nonorganicity detection among "known" nonorganic subjects. Part III compared the atypical Type V criteria, Rintelmann and Harford's typical Type V criteria, and LOT-Bekesy audiometry for frequency of false-positive findings among subjects with no evidence of nonorganicity on any other audiometric tests. The results of the study indicated that the atypical Type V definition is an highly efficient detector of nonorganicity which is significantly superior to both Rintelmann and Harford’s typical Type V definition and LOT-Bekesy audiometry in frequency of nonorganicity detection. No significant difference was found among the three methods in frequency of false-positive findings. The results also indicated that the reliability and validity of both Rintelmann and Harford’s typical Type V definition and the LOT­Bekesy test are suspect.

Degree Name

Speech-Language Pathology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Speech and Hearing Sciences

First Committee Member (Chair)

Max Edgar McClellan

Second Committee Member

Richard Baxter Hood

Third Committee Member

Wayne Everett Swisher

Fourth Committee Member

Michael Allan Crum

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

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