Short Increment Sensitivity Index (SISI) testing in a patient with unilateral hearing loss yields a score of 85% at 1000 Hz. This high SISI score indicates:

• A Retrocochlear hearing loss
• B Conductive hearing loss
• C Functional overlay on organic loss
• D Cochlear hearing loss with loudness recruitment ✓

Explanation

The SISI test detects the ability to perceive very small intensity increments (1 dB) superimposed on a continuous suprathreshold tone. A score above about 70% is positive and reflects abnormal loudness growth, the hallmark of cochlear (outer hair cell) pathology such as Meniere disease. Retrocochlear lesions and normal ears score below 20% because the ear cannot detect such fine increments.

Reference: Dhingra's Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.