Audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emissions in tinnitus patients without hearing complaints

Objective To study pure tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emissions(DPOAE) features in tinnitus patients who do not perceive hearing loss.Methods Pure tone threshoId,hearing loss,SNR of DPOAE were performed in 114(190 ears) adults with tinnitus cases with never perceived hearing loss.investigate the relationship between every risk factor and tinnitus.Results Audiometry showed high frequency hearing loss in 46.31%(88/190),low frequency hearing loss in 14.73%(28/190),normal hearing in 23.15%(44/190),and other types of audiograms in 15.78%(30/190) of the patients.Risk factors included noise exposure,fatigue,stress,and pre-existing diseases.There was a negative correlation between DPOAE amplitude and pure tone threshold.DPOAE response frequencies were closely related to frequency distribution of pure tone thresholds.Conclusion A significant number of patients with tinnitus but no hearing complaints may still have abnormal hearing,especially in the high frequency range.A negative correlation exists between DPOAE amplitude and pure tone threshold.DPOAEs may serve as an objective indicator of the level of hearing loss in tinnitus patients with no hearing complaints,which may be of value in the clinic.