Significance of the SISI test and its relation to recruitment.

The aim of the present article is to reconsider critically some arguments currently used to support the significance of the SISI test. The first topic discussed is the possible relationship between a positive SISI result (i.e. a small difference limen for intensity) and the presence of recruitment. It is concluded that there is no relationship between these via the loudness function. The second topic concerns some statistical factors which have a bearing on the utility of the SISI test. It is argued that the significance of the SISI test may be largely determined by the prevalence rates of cochlear and retrocochlear disorders.