This systematic review investigates the added value of the Carhart notch on pure-tone audiometry in diagnosing otosclerosis in individuals with conductive hearing loss.
No funding received
Not stated (search conducted in March 2013)
Original studies, excluding case reports
3
"Although the Carhart notch is in general believed to be an indicator for otosclerosis, as yet sufficient evidence to support such belief is lacking. Moreover, the diagnostic value of the presence of the Carhart notch to rule in or in its absence to rule out otosclerosis in patients with conductive hearing loss is not supported by low risk of bias studies" (p. 531).
