Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Humans ; Psychophysics

Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Humans ; Speech Perception

This paper analyzes the shortcomings of the existing pure tone audiometers, and proposes a system to realize pure tone audiometry and speech audiometry with a new DSP processor. The pure tone test signal produced by the system has accurate frequency, high signal-to-noise ratio, and small harmonic distortion. The noise generator that comes with DSP adds a band-pass filter to realize the generation of narrow-band noise. At the same time, due to the modular structure of software design, the system has good ease of use and scalability. The test results show that the hearing test system has excellent performance and can be better used in hearing medical diagnosis.
Audiometry, Pure-Tone/methods* ; Hearing ; Noise ; Signal-To-Noise Ratio

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics of early tinnitus in patients with sudden deafness. METHOD: Forty-seven patients with sudden deafness and early tinnitus recieved subjective review and filled out classified questionnaire of tinnitus. By pure tone audiometry and tinnitus matching test, we obtain the distribution, quantity and matching loudness of tinnitus patients. RESULT: (1) Objective examination: the most common frequencies of tinnitus were 8000 Hz and 4000 Hz. The most common numbers were two frequencies. The matching loudness was (16.63 ± 8.37) dB. (2) Subjective examination: the tinnitus was monotone (74.0%), sustained (89.0%), third level loudness (45.0%), third level annoying (60.0%), high frequency (83.0%), sound of cicadas (66.7%). The most influencing factors were hearing (28.2%) and mood (29.5%). (3) Relationship between tinnitus and pure tone hearing threshold curve: there was a significant correlation between the frequency of pure tone audiometry and the matching loudness of tinnitus (r = -0. 370, P < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between the frequency of pure tone tinnitus and the matching loudness of tinnitus (r = -0.083, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION (1) The results of subjective examination were consistent with those of objective examination. (2) The tinnitus should be considered in the early treatment of sudden deafness.
Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; pathology ; Humans ; Tinnitus ; pathology

OBJECTIVE: To collect the daily speech materials and to discuss the speech development of normal-hearing pre-school children. METHOD: Based on the database of daily speech materials of children who are 3 to 5 years old, from separate monosyllabic word to syllable,analysis the frequency of words and compare them with adults. RESULT: In the spoken words of children who are 3 to 5 years old, we can find all Mandarin phonemes. With independent sample t test, it was shown that there is no significant difference in the distributing of phonemes between children and adults. CONCLUSION Children who are 3 years old have developed the phonetic system of the language basically.
Adult ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Child, Preschool ; Hearing ; Humans ; Language Development

INTRODUCTION: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) attributed to occupational noise exposure is one of the most common causes of permanent hearing impairment. In the Philippines, road traffic remains the biggest source of noise. The authors aimed to determine the prevalence of NIHL among traffic enforcers in Quezon City and quantify their occupational noise exposure levels. METHODS: Traffic enforcers were recruited via convenience sampling and screened using a questionnaire and otoscopic examination. Participants underwent pure tone audiometry and those found to have hearing loss were classified as “indicative” or “suspected” NIHL. Audiometric measurements of noise levels in areas where the traffic enforcers were assigned were taken using a calibrated smartphone application. RESULTS: “Indicative of NIHL” was highest in the 41 to 50-year age group and “suspected NIHL” was highest in the 31 to 40-year age group. “Indicative of NIHL” was highest among those working for 1 to 5 and 11 to 15 years in the right ear (25%) and 11 to 15 years in the left ear (30%). “Suspected NIHL” was highest among those working for 6 to 10 years. The average noise levels from the different areas measured at different times ranged from 79.0 to 82.5 dB. CONCLUSION “Indicative of NIHL” is more prevalent in the older age group while “suspected NIHL” is more prevalent in the middle age group. The prevalence of “indicative of NIHL” is highest among those in service for 1 to 5 and 11 to 15 years while “suspected NIHL” is highest among those in the service for 6 to 10 years. The average noise level measurements were within the safe values suggested by WHO.
Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced ; Noise, Occupational

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Electrocochleography (ECoG) is a sensitive evoked-response test for evaluating changes in cochlear function. We investigated the extratympanic ECoG in noise-induced temporary and permanent threshold shift to evaluate the usefulness of ECoG in the early detection and monitoring of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Fifteen healthy ears were exposed to noise to induce temporary threshold shift (TTS). Pure-tone audiometry and ECoG were performed before (control-group), immediately after (TTS-group), and 24 hours after the exposure. And ECoG was measured in 27 ears with noise-induced permanent threshold shift (PTS-group). RESULTS: The mean amplitude of SP (summating potential) was greatest in the TTS-group. The largest increment in the SP/AP (action potential) ratio was also observed in the TTS-group. The mean ratios of control-, TTS-, and PTS-group were 0.22+/-0.11, 0.46+/-0.18 and 0.37+/-0.10, respectively. The PTS-group showed the smallest mean amplitude of AP. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that SP, AP and the SP/AP ratio might be sensitive parameters reflecting the changes of cochlear function in NIHL.
Audiometry, Evoked Response* ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Ear ; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced* ; Noise

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Early detection and monitoring are the most important measures in the prevention of development and progression of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Electrocochleography (ECoG) is known as a sensitive evoked-response test to evaluate changes in cochlear function. Through the investigation about the changes of ECoG in development of noise-induced temporary threshold shift (NITTS), we intended to evaluate the usefulness of ECoG on early detection of NIHL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy adult participants (20 ears) were exposed to 90.3~105.0 dB broad-band noise for 3 hours in a computer-game room. Pure-tone audiometry (PTA) and ECoG were performed before the exposure, immediately after and 24 hours after the exposure. RESULTS: Before the exposure, mean PTA threshold was 6.1+/-2.6 dB, which was significantly increased to 12.0+/-3.2 dB immediately after the exposure, and recovered to 5.5+/-2.4 dB at 24 hours later. Marked increment of SP/AP (summating potential/action potential) ratio was observed simultaneously with the development of TTS and was normalized after its resolution. The mean ratio was 0.23+/-0.17 before the exposure, 0.43+/-0.16 on TTS phase, and 0.24+/-0.18 on resolution. CONCLUSION: The result of this study suggest that SP/AP ratio of ECoG might have applicability for early detection and monitoring of NIHL.
Adult ; Audiometry, Evoked Response* ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced ; Humans ; Noise

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To analyze the 125 Hz pure-tone thresholds in patients with acute low frequency sensorineural hearing loss (LFHL) and to investigate the value of 125 Hz thresholds for the assessment of LFHL. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Hearing tests including 125 Hz pure-tone were performed in 91 patients with acute LFHL ≤500 Hz and in 46 subjects with normal hearing. Patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss or Meniere's disease were excluded. Inter-group and intra-group comparison of 125 Hz was made between LFHL and the control groups. RESULTS: There was a significant difference of mean pure-tone thresholds at 125 Hz between the acute LFHL and the normal groups (39.8±8.9 vs. 14.3±6.7 dB). Eight (8.8%) patients in the LFHL group showed normal thresholds at 125 Hz, but all other subjects were normal at 125 Hz in the control group. None with the average hearing thresholds at 250 and 500 Hz ≥40 dB had normal threshold at 125 Hz. There was a significant correlation between 125 Hz and other low frequencies in the LFHL group (250 Hz; r=0.81, 500 Hz; r=0.63). CONCLUSION: Not all patients with acute LFHL show abnormal hearing threshold at 125 Hz although every subject with normal hearing is within the normal limits at 125 Hz. Threshold assessment should be made at 125 Hz when a mild LFHL exists in the conventional pure tone audiometry.
Audiometry ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Auditory Threshold ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural* ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Meniere Disease ; Methods

Background: Pure tone audiometry is routinely used to determine conductive and sensorineural hearing status. Ossicular discontinuity is usually assessed intra-operatively. If ossicular discontinuity can be predicted by pure tone audiometry, perhaps the operative procedure of choice and prognosis for hearing can also be anticipated. Objective: To determine the predictive value of preoperative pure tone audiometry on the presence of gross ossicular discontinuity in chronic otitis media. Methods: Records of 205 patients, 7 to 75 years of age undergoing their first operation for chronic otitis media were reviewed. Preoperative audiograms and operative records for tympanomastoidectomy were evaluated. A total of 162 patients meeting inclusion criteria were included in the study. Likelihood ratios for positive and negative ossicular discontinuity for frequency-specific air-bone gap cut-offs were determined. Multiple logistic regression analysis for pure tone audiometry and operative findings to predict ossicular discontinuity was performed and a model for predicting ossicular discontinuity using logistic regression obtained. Results and Conclusion: Frequency-specific air bone gap (ABG) cut-off values can predict ossicular discontinuity in chronic suppurative otitis media namely: < 20 dB ABG at 500 Hz predicts absence of ossicular discontinuity while > 50 dB ABG at 500 Hz, >30 dB ABG at 2 KHz, and > 50 dB ABG at 4 KHz best predict the presence of ossicular discontinuity in general. In the absence of cholesteatoma, the air bone gaps of <30 dB at 500 Hz and <20 dB at 1 KHz decrease probability of ossicular discontinuity from 32.97 percent to 2.54 percent. Combination of air bone gaps of >50 dB at 500 Hz, >20 dB at 2 KHz and >40 dB at 4 KHz increase the probability of ossicular discontinuity from 32.97 percent to 85.9 percent. These findings suggest that ossicular exploration may not be necessary for the former while an evaluation of the ossicular chain may be mandatory for the latter in the setting where cholesteatoma is not present or suspected. Presence of cholesteatoma, granulation tissue and size of tympanic membrane perforation are important factors to consider in predicting ossicular discontinuity. (Author)
AUDIOMETRY AUDIOMETRY ; PURE-TONE OTITIS MEDIA OTITIS MEDIA ; SUPPURATIVE LOGISTIC MODELS HEARING TESTS SUPPURATION