Publication:

A 3 years retrospective observational study of pure tone audiometry in a tertiary railway hospital

Background Pure tone audiometry (PTA) is the basic test to identify the type and severity of a hearing loss.

Methods Retrospective “record-based” analysis was done on the PTA reports over 03 years from May 2018 to April 2021 and 1420 PTA were analyzed. The tests were done using Arphi digital audiometer 2001 and Proton Dx-5 audiometers.

Results 905 (63.73%) were males and 515 (36.27%) were females. Till 50 years of age, mixed hearing loss (MHL) was the commonest type of hearing loss followed by sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Overall SNHL was the most common type of hearing loss followed by MHL, while conductive hearing loss (CHL) was the least common. Moderate hearing loss was the most common finding seen in 27.6% of patients in the right ear and in 25.1% of the left ears. This was followed by mild, moderately severe, severe and profound hearing loss in both the ears. The age group with the maximum number of patients was in the 7th decade with 444 (31.27%). The prevalence of presbycusis was 70.60% above 60 years of age.

Conclusions PTA is a basic investigation to detect the type and severity of hearing loss. The prevalence of hearing loss increases with age and early detection is advisable for early rehabilitation which can delay the onset of dementia.