Repeatability of high-frequency bone conduction thresholds

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the repeatability of high-frequency, bone conduction thresholds and to increase the data base concerning high-frequency, bone conduction threshold levels. Bone conduction thresholds were obtained on 30 subjects having normal, low, and mid frequency (0.25 to 8 kHz) hearing thresholds within and across five test sessions using a Pracitronic KH 70 bone vibrator referenced to a Brüel and Kjaer 4930 mechanical coupler at 1, 4, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 kHz. Within and across sessions, the bone conduction thresholds were not significantly (p greater than 0.05) different at each frequency indicating that repeated testing without replacing the bone vibrator (within session) and with replacing the bone vibrator (across session) did not influence the threshold measurements. Clinical implications concerning high-frequency, bone conduction audiometry are discussed.