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. 2015 Jan 4:21:36-43.
doi: 10.12659/MSM.891365.

Repeatability of transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions in young adults

Krzysztof M Kochanek  1 , Lech K Śliwa  1 , Klaudia Puchacz  2 , Adam Piłka  1
Affiliations

Repeatability of transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions in young adults

Krzysztof M Kochanek et al. Med Sci Monit. .

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the repeatability and variability of TEOAE characteristics in hearing screening tests performed under practical conditions on normal subjects.

Material/methods: A group of 11 young, normal-hearing subjects aged 19-24 years was tested. They were examined otologically and audiologically prior to the tests and no ear pathologies were found. Responses were acquired with a commercially available instrument (Integrity, Vivosonic Inc.) using a standardized OAE protocol. The TEOAE tests were repeated 3 times in each subject at random intervals within 24 h. The analyzed parameters of interest were: (i) whole wave reproducibility (WWR) and; (ii) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Results: WWR and SNR did not differ significantly among the 3 measurement sessions. In most cases the differences in WWR among measurements were around 1-2% and for SNRs they were 1-4 dB SNRs and were highest in the 1-2 kHz range. TEOAE-based tests can be useful tools for hearing screening.

Conclusions: The tests can give reliable results provided that adequate procedures are used and low-noise conditions are ensured. The tests are best complemented with other examinations to widen the range of ear pathologies able to be detected.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Average values of TEOAE signal (open symbols) and background noise level (filled symbols) obtained for 4 frequency bands from 3 sequential TEOAE measurements (test 1, 2, 3). Whiskers indicate standard deviations.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Individual values of whole wave reproducibility (WWR) over 3 consecutive TEOAE measurements. Data for each subject are separated with vertical lines.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Histograms of absolute values of differences between WWRs determined from 3 consecutive TEOAE measurements. D1, D2, and D3 are the differences between measurements #1 and #2, #2 and #3, and #3 and #1, respectively.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Individual SNR values at 4 frequencies obtained from 3 consecutive TEOAE measurements. Dashed line denotes the acceptability criterion of SNR=6 dB, dotted line denotes criterion of 3 dB.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Histograms of absolute values of differences between SNRs determined in consecutive TEOAE measurements for the 4 frequency bands.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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