Performance Comparison of Convolutional Neural Network-Based Hearing Loss Classification Model Using Auditory Brainstem Response Data

Abstract

This study evaluates the efficacy of several Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models for the classification of hearing loss in patients using preprocessed auditory brainstem response (ABR) image data. Specifically, we employed six CNN architectures—VGG16, VGG19, DenseNet121, DenseNet-201, AlexNet, and InceptionV3—to differentiate between patients with hearing loss and those with normal hearing. A dataset comprising 7990 preprocessed ABR images was utilized to assess the performance and accuracy of these models. Each model was systematically tested to determine its capability to accurately classify hearing loss. A comparative analysis of the models focused on metrics of accuracy and computational efficiency. The results indicated that the AlexNet model exhibited superior performance, achieving an accuracy of 95.93%. The findings from this research suggest that deep learning models, particularly AlexNet in this instance, hold significant potential for automating the diagnosis of hearing loss using ABR graph data. Future work will aim to refine these models to enhance their diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, fostering their practical application in clinical settings.