French Society of ENT (SFORL) guidelines (short version): Audiometry in adults and children

Abstract

Introduction: French Society of ENT (SFORL) good practice guidelines for audiometric examination in adults and children.

Methods: A multidisciplinary working group performed a review of the scientific literature. Guidelines were drawn up, reviewed by an independent reading group, and finalized in a consensus meeting.

Results: Audiometry should be performed in an acoustically controlled environment (<30dBA); audiometer calibration should be regularly checked; and patient-specific masking rules should be systematically applied. It should be ensured that masking is not overmasking. Adult pure-tone audiometry data should be interpreted taking account of clinical data, speech audiometry and impedancemetry. In case of discrepancies between clinical and pure-tone and speech audiometry data, objective auditory tests should be perform. In children aged 2 years or younger, subjective audiometry should be associated to behavioral audiometry adapted to the child's age. In suspected hearing impairment, behavioral audiometry should be systematically supplemented by objective hearing tests to determine and confirm the level and type of hearing impairment.

Keywords: Acoumetry; Audiometry; Auditory evoked potentials; Auditory steady state response; Child; Electrocochleography; Impedancemetry; Masking; Otoacoustic emissions.