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Acoustic reflex threshold and loudness discomfort
1Otorhinolaryngology Dept., Sana'a University, PO Box 12096, Sana'a, Yemen.
Saudi Medical Journal
|September 5, 2001
Summary
This study found a significant relationship between loudness discomfort level and acoustic reflex threshold in patients with hearing loss. Predicted loudness discomfort levels closely matched acoustic reflex thresholds, varying with hearing status and stimulus type.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Hearing Science
- Otoacoustic Emissions
Background:
- The relationship between loudness discomfort level (LDL) and acoustic reflex threshold (ART) is crucial for understanding auditory perception.
- Accurate prediction of LDL can aid in audiological assessments and hearing aid fitting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between loudness discomfort level and acoustic reflex threshold.
- To determine if LDL can be accurately predicted based on ART across different hearing conditions.
Main Methods:
- Seventy patients (10 normal, 30 conductive hearing loss, 30 sensorineural hearing loss) were evaluated.
- Stimuli included pure tones, narrow band noise, wide band noise, and speech noise.
- LDL and ART were measured for each ear and stimulus type.
Main Results:
- Ninety-two percent of predicted LDLs fell within +/-6 dB of the rescaled ART using least squares regression.
- A statistically significant relationship was observed between LDL and ART.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates a significant, albeit variable, relationship between LDL and ART.
- Predicted LDLs are not constant and depend on ART, stimulus characteristics, and the type of hearing loss (conductive or sensorineural).