Fw. Rickards et S. Devidi, EXAGGERATED HEARING-LOSS IN NOISE-INDUCED HEARING-LOSS COMPENSATION CLAIMS IN VICTORIA, Medical journal of Australia, 163(7), 1995, pp. 360
Objective: To determine the incidence of exaggerated hearing loss in p
eople claiming workers compensation for noise induced hearing loss, as
well as the ability of a range of testers to detect this exaggeration
. Subjects: 333 people who claimed compensation for noise induced hear
ing loss between 13 September 1993 and 31 July 1994 in Victoria and wh
o had undergone two independent subjective hearing tests. Method: The
hearing test results and referral decisions made by testers were exami
ned in the light of the results of a single objective hearing test (co
rtical evoked response audiometry). Results: The incidence of exaggera
ted hearing loss was 17.7%. Testers performing the first subjective he
aring test detected only 2.2% of claimants who exaggerated. The audiol
ogist performing the second Subjective test detected 94.2% of claimant
s who exaggerated, Conclusions: The high incidence of exaggerated hear
ing loss and the large difference in ability to detect this exaggerati
on by the two groups of testers demonstrate the need for appropriate t
est procedures to be followed and a second hearing test to be reintrod
uced. Without accurate testing, there will be overpayment for noise in
duced hearing loss claims.