Stenger test

A test used in audiology to detect non-organic hearing loss

Stenger test

The Stenger test is an audiological test used to identify non-organic hearing loss, which is a type of hearing loss that does not have a physical or organic basis. This test is particularly useful in cases where there is a suspicion of malingering or functional hearing loss.

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Diagram illustrating the Stenger test setup

Principle

The Stenger test is based on the Stenger principle, which states that when two tones of the same frequency are presented simultaneously to both ears, the listener will only perceive the louder tone. This principle is utilized to determine whether a patient is feigning hearing loss in one ear.

Procedure

The procedure for the Stenger test involves the following steps:

1. Threshold Determination: First, the audiologist determines the pure tone thresholds for both ears using standard audiometry.

2. Presentation of Tones: Two tones of the same frequency are presented simultaneously to both ears. The tone presented to the "better" ear is set at 10 dB above the threshold, while the tone presented to the "poorer" ear is set at 10 dB below the threshold.

3. Patient Response: The patient is asked to indicate when they hear the tone. If the patient does not respond, it suggests that they are perceiving the tone in the "poorer" ear, indicating a positive Stenger test and potential non-organic hearing loss.

Interpretation

- Positive Stenger Test: If the patient does not respond, it indicates that the tone in the "poorer" ear is being perceived, suggesting non-organic hearing loss. - Negative Stenger Test: If the patient responds, it suggests that the hearing loss is organic, as the patient is perceiving the tone in the "better" ear.

Applications

The Stenger test is primarily used in cases where there is a significant asymmetry in hearing thresholds between the two ears, and there is a suspicion of non-organic hearing loss. It is a quick and effective test that can be performed in a clinical setting.

Limitations

While the Stenger test is useful for detecting non-organic hearing loss, it does not provide information about the degree or type of hearing loss. It is also not effective in cases of bilateral non-organic hearing loss.

Related pages

• Audiometry
• Hearing loss
• Malingering
• Functional hearing loss