Procedures for preparation of otological and audiological data for computer analysis

Extensive amounts of clinical data exist in the files of facilities providing otological and audiological services. Because of the considerable time involved in manual analysis, some departments are beginning to consider the use of computers for analyzing the data. It is often assumed that this data can simply be submitted to a computer center for analysis. This, however, is not the case. A careful series of planned procedures must be undertaken before information can be submitted and analyzed. This paper illustrates the procedural steps necessary to permit the utilization of a computer system for analysis of clinical data. The feasibility of the use of these procedures in the examination of otological and audiological data is considered.