TEOAE-based estimation of the auditory threshold in the mid-octave frequencies

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Otoacoustic Emissions
• Hearing Loss Diagnostics

Background:

• Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) affects mid-frequency hearing.
• Transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) are objective measures of cochlear function.
• Accurate TEOAE classification can aid in hearing level estimation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate hearing levels in ears with SNHL using TEOAE classification.
• To develop and validate a classification algorithm for TEOAE recordings.
• To categorize TEOAE data into distinct hearing threshold groups.

Main Methods:

• Utilized discriminant analysis on Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) data from TEOAE recordings.
• Employed non-linear click stimuli at 80 dB SPL.
• Compared two classification schemes for grouping TEOAE data based on hearing levels (dB HL).

Main Results:

• The second classification scheme (10-29 dB HL, 30-39 dB HL, ≥40 dB HL) demonstrated higher accuracy.
• Achieved 90.9% accuracy for the 10-29 dB HL group.
• Obtained 82% accuracy for the 30-39 dB HL group and 71.4% for the ≥40 dB HL group.

Conclusions:

• The proposed TEOAE classification algorithm effectively estimates hearing levels in individuals with SNHL.
• The refined grouping strategy significantly improves prediction accuracy across different hearing loss severity.
• This method offers a promising tool for objective hearing assessment in audiology.