Research Information System
Turk Geriatri Dergisi, vol.13, no.3, pp.172-177, 2010 (SCI-Expanded)
Introduction: "Presbycusis" is the sensorineural hearing loss accompanying the aging process (1,2). The pathologic basis of presbycusis is partially understood. The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes of peripheral and central auditory pathways in presbycusis and to localise the pathology by using pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), and auditory brainstem responses (ABR). Materials and Method: Forty patients with presbycusis, who applied to our clinic, were included in the study. Pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) results and auditory brainstem responses were recorded to evaluate hearing loss. Results: Our findings demonstrated that pure tone average and speech reception threshold values significantly increased (p<0.05) while speech discrimination scores significantly decreased (p<0.05) with age. There was no significant relation between presence of DPOAE and age (p>0.05). In our patients, although ABR wave latencies were found to be 0.2 miliseconds (ms) longer, a pathologic change was not observed. I-III, I-V and III-V interpeak latencies of the patients obtained in the ABR were normal. Conclusion: The pure tone parameters change significantly and hearing loss increases with advancing age. Due to the significant decrease in emission, outer hair cell dysfunction, -i.e. cochlear damage- was observed in the elderly suggesting there was no pathology in brainstem auditory pathways in presbycusis patients.