What the study found
The study provided normative values for a clinically feasible audiological-vestibular test battery, including measures whose age and pure-tone average (PTA, the average hearing threshold across selected tones) dependencies had been unclear. Age and PTA were related to some test outcomes, while vestibular tests showed no age effects.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that these reference values may help with future applications such as phenotype-genotype relations in specified cohorts. They also suggest that age and PTA should be taken into account when interpreting these tests.
What the researchers tested
The researchers proposed a cross-domain test battery through multidisciplinary consensus. They then compared measurements from two centres, Germany and France, to assess centre effects, and analysed age and PTA effects for each test in 55 participants aged 40 years or older who had hearing thresholds better than the age-dependent median of PTA.
What worked and what didn't
Centre effects were negligible, so the data were pooled across centres. Age- and PTA-dependent reference data were derived, and age and PTA effects were found for some tests, especially audiological-functional tests. No age effects were found for vestibular tests.
What to keep in mind
The sample was small and limited to age-appropriate normal-hearing controls from two centres. The abstract does not describe other limitations beyond noting that extensive data documentation and verification are essential for cross-centre comparability.
Key points
- A clinically feasible audiological-vestibular test battery was proposed for characterising age-related hearing loss.
- Reference data were derived after pooling measurements from two centres because centre effects were negligible.
- Age and pure-tone average affected some tests, especially audiological-functional measures.
- No age effects were found for vestibular tests.
- The authors say age and PTA should be considered when interpreting these tests in future work.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Cross-domain hearing test battery showed age- and PTA-related norms
- Authors:
- Mareike Buhl, Shiran Koifman, Abile Serge Magbonde, Koray Koçoğlu, Sabine Hochmuth, Elie Partouche, Arnaud Coëz, Andreas Radeloff, Hung Thaï-Van, Sylvette Wiener‐Vacher, Grégory Gerenton, Anna Warzybok, Paul Avan, Birger Kollmeier
- Institutions:
- Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Générale de Santé, Hearing4all, Hearing4all, Hearing4all, Hearing4all, Hearing4all, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Inserm, Inserm, Inserm, Inserm, Inserm, Inserm, Inserm, Inserm, Inserm, Institut de France, Institut de France, Institut de France, Institut de France, Institut de France, Institut de France, Institut de France, Institut de France, Institut de France, Institut de l'Audition, Institut de l'Audition, Institut de l'Audition, Institut de l'Audition, Institut de l'Audition, Institut de l'Audition, Institut de l'Audition, Institut de l'Audition, Institut de l'Audition, Institut Pasteur, Institut Pasteur, Institut Pasteur, Institut Pasteur, Institut Pasteur, Institut Pasteur, Institut Pasteur, Institut Pasteur, Institut Pasteur, Lyon 1 Université, Oldenburger Institut für Informatik, Oldenburger Institut für Informatik, Oldenburger Institut für Informatik, Oldenburger Institut für Informatik, Oldenburger Institut für Informatik, Université Paris Cité, Université Paris Cité, Université Paris Cité, Université Paris Cité, Université Paris Cité, Université Paris Cité, Université Paris Cité, Université Paris Cité, Université Paris Cité
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-22
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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