Accuracy of cortical evoked response audiometry in the identification of non-organic hearing loss

Abstract

Cortical evoked response audiometry (CERA) has been used to identify the presence of a nonorganic component in cases where compensation for hearing disability is claimed. This study aims at verifying the magnitude of discrepancy between thresholds estimated by CERA and by pure-tone audiometry (PTA). Results from 204 claimants (408 ears) with reliable PTA and CERA records showed mean discrepancy values between PTA and CERAT of less than 5 dB at high frequencies. Over 83.2% of claimants had a CERAT and PTA threshold discrepancy within 10 dB. Results suggested that while CERA threshold measurement could not accurately predict PTA in all cases, it could still be used as an objective guideline to rule out the presence of a non-organic component in hearing disability compensation claimants.