Abstract
Objective This study aims to determine to what extent audiological test
data effected on decision-making in the diagnosis process of patients
who have hearing loss. Design Survey study Setting and Participants The
audiological test results of six pathologies (auditory neuropathy
spectrum disorder-ANSD, Menieré’s Disease-MD, superior semicircular
canal dehiscence-SSCD, large vestibular aquaduct syndrome-LVA, chronic
otitis media-COM, and secretory otitis media-SOM) belonging to five
different patients with a definite diagnosis were presented to 87
otolaryngology (ENT) physicians. The physicians were not informed about
patient histories and otoscopic findings. The breakdown of the
physicians according to their specialization was as follows: 19 were
residents, 53 were ENT specialists, 6 were associate professors, and 9
were professors. The participant physicians were asked to indicate
possible pathologies (one or more) for each audiological outcome. The
answers given were classified as “correct,” “undefined” and
“incorrect.” Main outcome measures To determine how effective only
audiological reports are for the diagnostic decision-making role was
evaluated by analysing the percent of “correct” answers according to
their work place and title. Results The mean “correct” response rate
for all pathologies was 19.2%, and the ” incorrect” response rate was
38%. The ratio of “undefined” answers was 41.8. The “correct”
prediction rates for each pathology, were 26% for ANSD, 32% for SOM,
19% for MD, 16% for COM and 14% for SSCD. There was no “correct”
prediction for LVA. Conclusion Audiological tests are likely to support
the decision-making process for the ENT physician when they are
accompanied by other (case history, otoscopic examination, radiological
findings etc.) The audiological report content may increase the
diagnostic value of audiological tests.